Freedom Autosport Poised to Deliver the ST Manufacturer Championship to Mazda
LEXINGTON, Ohio—At Freedom Autosport, teamwork is about more than just the crew and drivers. It is also about the people, companies and sponsors who support the team. During the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge finale at Mid-Ohio this weekend, Freedom hopes to deliver the Street Tuner Manufacturer Championship to Mazda.
Currently, Mazda sits in the top spot with 271 points, 17 more than second-place Volkswagen. That strong lead comes from the success of Freedom Autosport, who has amassed two wins, a second, three third-place finishes, and an impressive fourteen top-ten finishes so far this season.
Derek Whitis and Tom Long have finished in every podium position this year with the No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5. They realize the importance of delivering the championship to the manufacturer that has supported the team from the start.
“Going into the final race, our goal is the same as it was going into the first race: deliver the manufacturer's championship to Mazda,” says team co-owner Whitis. “Freedom has been fortunate enough to score points in every race, including six podiums, to put Mazda in that position.”
“There’s been a lot of progress with our entire program,” says Long, who is also Freedom’s team manager. “We’re more consistent this entire season than we ever have been, so it’s allowed us to be in contention for more podiums and drive home great finishes for Mazda.”
Team co-owner Rhett O’Doski and Andrew Carbonell scored their first podium of the season at Virginia International Raceway in the No. 26 Mazda MX-5. They went on to win at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, giving Mazda the victory on the marque’s home track.
“Our relationship with Mazda has been an important part of Freedom’s success,” says O’Doski. “In addition to achieving our milestones in Mazdas, they’ve also been instrumental in developing talented drivers, like Mazda driver Brad Rampelberg.”
In fact, Rampelberg and co-driver Eric Foss finished third in the No. 27 Freedom Autosport MAZDASPEED3 during the previous round at New Jersey. They hope for another podium finish to end their season on a high note.
Nick Igdalsky and Ari Straus will co-drive the No. 28 ModSpace/Construct Corps MAZDASPEED3. Igdalsky qualified fourth at New Jersey, proving how well Freedom Autosport has developed the car. The entry is also testament to theimportant role sponsors play in any championship race.
“ModSpace is very proud of Mazda and their lead in the manufacturer’s championship as we head to Mid-Ohio,” says William Mann, Director of Motorsports for ModSpace. “As a market leader in our industry, ModSpace can relate to the countless hours Mazda and Freedom Autosport have put into this charge at the championship. The two organizations have worked in tandem to get an edge on the competition. It’s elements like teamwork that will keep Mazda out front.”
The season finale begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17. Long sums up Freedom Autosport’s expectations with well-deserved optimism. “The MX-5 handles well, and Mid-Ohio is all about handling and subtle elevation changes. Between that and the strong development of the MAZDASPEED3 over the last few races, both cars will be really competitive,” he says. “We’re poised to bring this home for Mazda, and hopefully they’ll get the GT championship, too.”