Mazda, PIR race join forces

If Global Events Group president Mike Nealy was walking with a little zoom-zoom in his step Wednesday, he had every right. Nealy has signed Mazda as the title sponsor for the June 10 Champ Car Grand Prix of Portland, a marketing move that might help Portland remain on the Champ Car World Series schedule in 2008 and beyond.

Mazda is a familiar name in auto racing, and the car company has made a major investment in the Champ Car series to become the official car of Champ Car. The Mazda name also is part of the drifting exhibition and three of the support races in Portland — the Atlantic Series race, the Star-Mazda race and the Mazda MX-5 series.

“We’re involved in a lot of the races taking place in Portland,” said Jim Jordan, manager of alternative marketing for Mazda North American Operations.

 – Excerpt from The Oregonian, May 10, 2007