As the only non-European team at the event and given the distinct lack of ice driving facilities in Australia, they were considered to be the rank outsiders. However, they were unfazed as they managed to dominate Day One’s qualifying and practice sessions grabbing pole position for the next day in the process. They also won-over all those present by wearing board shorts over their racing overalls in honor of the fact that its summer Down Under. They also had a tiny kangaroo mascot fastened to the top of their car’s safety cage that distinguished them from the other teams.
The racing day came with clear blue skies and a frosty -31 degrees, perfect conditions for ice racing. The race itself was conducted in two sessions, each two hours long, with the car completing the most laps being declared the winner.
Mazda Australia PR manager and team coach for the MX-5 Ice Race, Steve Maciver, was delighted with the efforts of the Australian team. “To place second in such unfamiliar driving conditions is really an amazing effort. Coming in to the event we knew that we had some good drivers but weren’t sure how we’d go against the more experienced Northern Europeans. It was clear early on that we had the pace and I was delighted to see the Australian spirit come to the fore allowing us to get the best out of the MX-5,” he said.
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