No. 70 Mazda Withdrawn, Focus on Single Diesel Entry for Watkins Glen

Photo: John Dagys

Mazda has withdrawn its No. 70 SKYACTIV prototype from this weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, leaving the SpeedSource-run team with a single-car effort for the second consecutive TUDOR United SportsCar Championship round.

A Mazda spokesperson confirmed to Sportscar365 Friday morning that the Japanese manufacturer has elected to give its new gasoline-powered prototype additional testing and development prior to the AER-based engine making its race debut.

While having already completed a two-day test at Palm Beach International Raceway with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline turbo powerplant, the team has scheduled an additional test at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park prior to the series’ visit next month.

The late withdrawal leaves the No. 07 diesel-powered entry of Tom Long, Joel Miller and Ben Devlin to fly the flag for Mazda this weekend and also resulting in a reduced eight-car Prototype field.

Mazda is expected to return to a two-car effort for the CTMP round on July 10-12, likely split between gasoline and diesel-powered cars.

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