NEWS // '09 STAR MAZDA CHAMP READY FOR GRAND-AM DEBUT

This weekend will see a major transition for talented young British single seater driver, Adam Christodoulou, as he switches to GRAND-AM GT racing at this weekends Homestead Grand Prix.

Having transferred his talents across the pond for 2009, the 20 year old claimed the Star Mazda Series crown with an impressive record of results following his British Formula Renault Championship title back in the UK at the end of 2008.

Earlier this month MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development confirmed the change of direction for the former UK karting champion and announced that he would be paired with 2009 Atlantic Championship winner John Edwards in a SpeedSource-prepared Mazda RX-8 for their GT debut... [read more]

This being the first time either young driver has raced a Grand-Am GT car, will also mark the start of a full-season program where the two will hone their skills in an unfamiliar form of racing, with the intention of helping Mazda win the 2010 Grand-Am GT class manufacturers’ championship.

The RX-8 will be entered by SpeedSource/Newman Wachs Racing. The car has been sourced from Yellow Dragon Motorsports, owned by long-time Mazda club-racer Jack Smith, and will be prepared by Florida-based SpeedSource, Inc,. SpeedSource’s Castrol Syntec-sponsored RX-8 won the GT class at the 2008 and 2010 runnings of the Rolex-24 at Daytona.

With such an impressive single seater track record behind him, Adam is now looking forward to moving into the world of GT racing and told us “After a fantastic two seasons racing in 2008 and 2009 winning two titles back to back in two different championships from around the world, I’m now being thrown my next challenge. This is a big step for me as I have never competed out of single-seater racing, I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel and proving to everyone that I’m competitive in whichever series I race. I think it’s going to be great working with John, as I know we both want the same thing: to be fast, competitive and to win races. I don’t think I could have been partnered up with a better team and team mate.Without the MAZDASPEED ladder and its support of young drivers,I may not have been driving this year.”

Adam will be providing CTD readers with regular updates throughout his debut GT season. And stay tuned to CTD for an in depth profile and photoshoot soon.

Editorial: Neil Tozer
Images and Info: Adam Christodoulou