11.04.14 Wolfgang Kaufmann racing for Mazda in the 24h of the Nürburgring

This past weekend, preparation began for Wolfgang Kaufmann, the professional sports car racer from Germany, before the 24 hour race on the Nürburgring.

For the first time, Kaufmann will be starting in the V3 category for stock production vehicles. "This year's project is unusual and at the same time challenging. The class is new to me, and so is the Mazda MX-5 on Bridgestone tires; and we will competitive with the strong team we have put together."

The entry under the name "Mazda Motorsports Team Jota" is a factory effort by the Japanese manufacturer. "After the marque's victory at Le Mans in 1991, Mazda Japan is looking to increase its involvement in motor racing, and the company's choice was the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring", says Kaufmann.

The operating team in Europe is Britain's Team JOTA Sport which in years past has already entered a sports prototype car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and already cooperates with Mazda in the United Kingdom.

Wolfgang Kaufmann will share the car with the former Ferrari and McLaren Formula 1 driver Stefan Johansson. After his career in Formula 1, the Swede made his mark in the endurance racing scene, and in 1997 was able to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Porsche. "Stefan Johansson's first race with the team will be the VLN round on April 26. Stefan first raced on the Nordschleife in 1983, with a Group C Porsche 956." The quartet of drivers will be completed by Teruaki Kato of Japan, and Britain's Owen Mildenhall.

As Lexus and Nissan already have entries in the classes that are within reach of an overall victory in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, there is hope that Mazda will take a stronger interest in Nordschleife racing in the future.

The team had its first dress rehearsal in the qualifying race for the 24 Hours last weekend. "We had to overcome some small issues, and had to start the race from pit lane; during the last two laps, we lost engine power for a collapsing catalytic converter. Everyone was overjoyed when the Mazda crossed the finish line as class winner, in spite of all these complications. For the 24 Hours, our goal is definitely to win our class, we will work hard toward that goal with all our strength over the coming weeks. Mazda, the professional team JOTA Sport and my two team mates did a great job."