Mazda Motorsports announced some really big news last week about teaming up with Joest Racing for our 2018 Prototype program. The new Mazda Team Joest is a partnership that is beginning immediately in order to undergo testing and development throughout the rest of 2017.
This is very exciting news for Mazda because of the opportunity it creates for them as they move forward in their Prototype program. Joest is the most successful sports car endurance team in history, and most recently they provided Audi Sport with their factory program in ALMS and WEC. You can read the full announcement from Mazda Motorsports, check out a transcript of the press conference with Mazda and Joest Racing, and listen to an interview I did with Sports Car Unleashed right after the announcement.
With all of the excitement around the announcement, there is also a downside in that SpeedSource is ceasing operations on the Mazda program. It’s always tough when a partnership ends because not only were they family, but I was also looking forward to the races that were remaining this season.
That doesn’t mean I won’t be busy for the rest of 2017: now I have the amazing opportunity of testing with Mazda Team Joest and traveling to Europe as we develop the program for 2018.
Moving into next year, there is still uncertainty as to what the driver lineup will be; that has yet to be announced. I’m focusing on the moment, working on my physical training harder than ever and concentrating on testing and development to make the car the best it can be. Hopefully everything comes together and I’ll have an opportunity to challenge for the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech championship. With the added excitement of another highly-respected team partnering with an additional manufacturer (Team Penske and Acura), it’s going to be quite the Prototype class!
