Mazda3 TCR Program Canceled

Image: Mazda

Mazda has canceled its TCR program, citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as the reason for the axing of the planned Mazda3 TCR.

Announced last October for an intended debut in the 2020 season, the customer rollout was pushed back to 2021 due to the ceasing of operations of Long Road Racing, which had been initially tasked with the car’s build and development.

A Mazda spokesperson confirmed to Grassroots Motorsports on Tuesday that the program is now dead altogether.

“Given the recent conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has elected to cancel the development program for the Mazda3 TCR car,” a statement from Mazda read.

“We thank all our fans and partners for their continued support for Mazda Motorsports.”

As reported by Sportscar365 in January, the car was set to utilize TCR’s global Volkswagen-built powerplant, in what was expected to provide a more streamlined and cost-effective platform for the Japanese manufacturer.

It’s understood that Flis Motorsports, which took over the build of the Global Mazda MX-5 cars, was due to handle the TCR project as well.

Mazda would have become the first manufacturer to build a TCR car in the U.S.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John