Mazda MX-5 clinches win at 2024 Kalayaan Cup amid gearbox issue

Team MSCC Mazda Miata’s recent win a testament to brand’s “Never Stop Challenging Spirit”

Mazda MX-5 clinches win at 2024 Kalayaan Cup amid gearbox issue

MANILA: The Mazda MX-5 claimed the top spot at this year’s 12-hour Kayalaan Cup despite experiencing a gearbox issue mid-race.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • When did the Mazda MX-5 encounter a faulty gearbox?

    Per Mazda Philippines, the MX-5 suffered a faulty gerbox during the 4.5-hour mark.
  • How much power does the Mazda MX-5 make?

    The Mazda MX-5 makes 181 horsepower with 205 Newton-meters of torque.
  • Per the local wing of the Japanese carmaker, the #55 car of Team MSCC Mazda Miata ran into a rare gearbox failure at the 4.5-hour mark while it was three laps ahead of everyone else. As a result, the race car lost its pace and went to the pits.

    Mazda MX-5 from Mazda PH

    “Mechanical issues happen in racing,” said Team MSCC Mazda Miata driver Tyson Sy.

    “The team decided that for as long as we have the parts, we’ll continue. At this point, our mindset was simply never to give up,” he added.

    Works team mechanics then replaced the entire gearbox in less than two hours and sent the Mazda MX-5 back to the track. Despite being 40 laps down, the team put their head together and cut the difference to just 25 laps by the 10-hour mark.

    During the 11.5-hour mark, Team MSCC Mazda Miata found itself in seventh place overall — just 21 laps down to the leaders and two laps down from its main rival in the Open A Class.

    Thanks to the Mazda MX-5’s nimble handling and capable powertrain, the works team was able to claw their way back up. Speaking of which, the race car packed a stock 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G mill that is mated to a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive manual transmission.

    On paper, the said setup dishes out some 181 horsepower with 205 Newton-meters of torque.

    Mazda MX-5 from Mazda PH 1

    “The performance of the MX-5 this year exceeded our expectations. We think we have already reached the optimal efficiency of what this car offers as a racing platform,” noted Team MSCC Mazda Miata driver Angie King.

    Near the end of the endurance race, the #55 Mazda MX-5 slashed the gap to just four seconds. All that was left was one more lap and Team MSCC Mazda Miata felt that a class win was within reach.

    And at the Acacia Corner (Clark International Speedway’s tricky no-lift last corner) the Team MSCC Mazda Miata’s race entry overook its rival to take the Open A Championship.

    “Every race, we treat winning as the ultimate reward, and thanks to everyone’s efforts — the drivers, the mechanics, everyone — our class victory at the 2024 Kalayaan Cup 12-hour Endurance Race is much sweeter,” explained Team MSCC Mazda Miata driver Steven Tan.

    “We faced hardships in achieving our result this year, but it’s all part of Mazda’s ‘Never Stop Challenging Spirit.’ I’m so proud of what Team MSCC Mazda Miata has achieved,” he added.

    Mazda MX5

    The Mazda MX-5 is offered in the Philippines in three variants: a convertible soft top equipped with a six-speed manual, a convertible soft top with a six-speed automatic with Sport Mode, and a retractable fastback with a six-speed automatic with Sport Mode.

    All three trims share the same engine but have various performance outputs. For example, the manual gearbox-equipped model has a top speed of 219 kilometers per hour (kph) and can zoom from a standstill to 100 kph in 6.5 seconds.

    To boot, it also gets a double wishbone suspension system with Bilstein dampers at the front. A multi-link suspension supports its rear. It also gets an asymmetric limited-slip differential, which further boosts its handling.

    Meanwhile, the retractable fastback model — while packing the same mill as the aforementioned only has a peak speed of 200 kph and an acceleration time from zero to 100 kph in 7.9 seconds. Coming in with a top speed of 199 kph and an acceleration time of 7.6 seconds (from zero to 100 kph) is the automatic transmission-equipped convertible.

    Photos from Mazda Philippines

    Also read:

    Auto China 2024: Mazda reveals EZ-6 EV

    Here's what happened at the 2024 MSCC Miata Spec Series Round 1

    Mazda US highlights Driver Personalization System of 2025 CX-70

    Paulo Papa

    Paulo Papa

    Fueled by his passion for cars and a good dose of caffeine, Paulo loves taking his readers for an exciting spin with his writing. A self proclaimed nerd, epigrammatic writer, and a doting father. 

    Read Full Bio

    Sell your car at the best price

    Verified and genuine buyers Verified and genuine buyers
    Free listing Free listing
    List your car

    Mazda Car Models

    • Mazda MX-5
      Mazda MX-5
    • Mazda 3 Sedan hev
      Mazda 3 Sedan
    • Mazda CX-3
      Mazda CX-3
    • Mazda CX-8
      Mazda CX-8
    • Mazda BT-50
      Mazda BT-50
    • Mazda 3 Hatchback hev
      Mazda 3 Hatchback
    • Mazda MX-5 RF
      Mazda MX-5 RF
    • Mazda CX-5
      Mazda CX-5
    • Mazda 2 Hatchback
      Mazda 2 Hatchback
    • Mazda 6 Wagon
      Mazda 6 Wagon
    Mazda Cars Price

    Don't Miss

    Mazda MX-5 Promos, DP & Monthly Installment

    PIMS 2024

    Trending & Fresh Updates

    You might also be interested in

    • News
    • Featured Stories

    Mazda Featured Cars

    Compare & Recommended

    Mazda MX-5
    Mazda MX-5
    ₱2.23 - 2.35 Million
    Mazda MX-5 Price
    BMW Z4
    BMW Z4
    ₱4.89 - 5.89 Million
    BMW Z4 Price
    Bentley Continental
    Porsche 911
    Porsche 718
    Porsche 718
    Engine 1998
    1998
    5950
    2981
    2497
    Power 181
    197
    626
    380
    345
    Torque 205 Nm
    320 Nm
    900 Nm
    450 Nm
    420 Nm
    Front Brake Type Ventilated Discs
    Ventilated Discs
    Ventilated Discs
    Ventilated Discs
    Ventilated Discs
    Rear Brake Type Discs
    Ventilated Discs
    Ventilated Discs
    Ventilated Discs
    Discs
    Alloy Wheels Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Adjustable Headlights Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Compare Now

    Trending Convertibles

    • Upcoming
    • MG Cyberster ev
      MG Cyberster
      ₱4.5 Million Expected Price Manila
      Expected Launch TBA Alert Me When Launched
    Upcoming Convertibles Cars

    Mazda MX-5 Car Articles From Carmudi

    • journal
    • 2024 MSCC Mazda Miata Spec Series set on May 25
      2024 MSCC Mazda Miata Spec Series set on May 25
      Ruben Manahan IV, Mar 05, 2024
    • MX-5 to lead Mazda’s Japan Mobility Show lineup 
      MX-5 to lead Mazda’s Japan Mobility Show lineup 
      Paulo Papa, Oct 12, 2023
    • Mazda PH to accept MX-5 MCP Anniversary Edition reservations until Jul. 31
      Mazda PH to accept MX-5 MCP Anniversary Edition reservations until Jul. 31
      Ruben Manahan IV, Jul 03, 2023
    • Mazda MX-5-powered Team MSCC wins awards at 2023 Kagitingan Cup
      Mazda MX-5-powered Team MSCC wins awards at 2023 Kagitingan Cup
      Ruben Manahan IV, Apr 20, 2023
    • Mazda PH, MSCC kicks off 2023 Miata Spec Series
      Mazda PH, MSCC kicks off 2023 Miata Spec Series
      Ruben Manahan IV, Mar 10, 2023

    Compare

    You can add 3 variants maximum*