Mazda revs up for Leadfoot   30 Jan 2015

MEDIA RELEASE

30 January 2015

Mazda revs up for Leadfoot

Mazda New Zealand is putting pedal to the metal in support of the Leadfoot Festival in Coromandel over Waitangi Weekend.

Leadfoot was founded by Kiwi rally and hill climb legend Rod Millen and takes place on the spectacular 1.6km long driveway that winds its way through his ocean-front property at Hahei. The driveway is designed to be the perfect hill climb with Millen inspired by some of the world’s best roads when he planned its construction.

The Leadfoot Festival runs from February 6-8 and brings together more than one hundred elite drivers from a range of motor racing disciplines who are all hand-picked by Millen himself.

The vehicles racing up the hill climb will include Ferraris, Mazda RX 7s and a 1973 McLaren M23-01, through to vintage vehicles and classic motorbikes.

Andrew Clearwater, Managing Director of Mazda New Zealand says Leadfoot is more than just a race up a hill, it’s a celebration of the history of motoring thanks to the vast range of vehicles on show.

“The great thing about it is it’s an event for motoring enthusiasts as well as being fun for the whole family. It’s rare that you can get to chat to some of motor racing’s most influential drivers about their careers and the cars they drive, but that’s a big part of what Leadfoot is all about.

“That, and the challenge and competition of who can make it up Rod’s driveway the fastest,” he says.

Another reason Mazda wanted to get behind Leadfoot is because the company has played an important role in Millen’s stellar driving career.

He started out driving Mazda RX3s in the rally of New Zealand during the 1970s, and then moved to the US where he drove RX7s before returning to a Mazda 323 in the late 80s and early 90s. This same challenger spirit and drive for motorsport excellence continues with another Mazda ambassador in drifting superstar “Mad Mike” Whiddett, who will be racing his 26B Quad Rotor Mazda RX-7 during the three day event.

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