Mazda PH turns over Mazda2’s to AAP-MSDP
MAZDA Philippines formalized its support for the Automobile Association Philippines Motor Sports Development Program (AAP MSDP) by turning over a fleet of Mazda2 units to the AAP for use in their training classes. The turnover ceremony took place at the Megatent grounds along C5 Libis, where the AAP was concurrently holding another leg of their MSDP Module 1.
The AAP MSDP has already been going on in the Philippines three years strong and Mazda Philippines has been one of their loyal supporters from the very start. The AAP’s Motor Sports Development Program is a grassroots training platform that aims to introduce young individuals to, and help train them in, motor sports. It is open to driving enthusiasts who are 16 to19 years old, physically fit, and willing to learn.
The offered curriculum covers basic driving skills, road safety awareness, a discussion to help participants better understand the field of motor sports, official flag and hand signals, motor sport organization, safety in motor sports; interpersonal skills, and continuous development.
Individuals who participate should be able to take home essential skills that will make them safer drivers and more responsible road users. Best of all, if you fall into the target 16 to 19 year old age group, the program is free of charge!(but prior registration is required) Otherwise, you may still join for a fee of P2,500.
The Mazda2 units that were turned over to the AAP by Mazda Philippines last Saturday were immediately used by the ongoing class, for their learning and practical application sessions at the event grounds. Saturday was reserved for the MSDP Module 1 class, while Sunday was scheduled for Module 2 training.
The entire program is divided into nine modules, and each module consists of about three to four hours of classroom-type lectures and four to five hours of hands-on training. Drivers who participate in the program are fortunate to have the unique opportunity to be trained under the helm of 10-time National Rally Champion, Vip Isada, and his team of experienced drivers.
Since Mazda is a brand that has become synonymous with the pleasures of driving – especially with their ‘Jinba Ittai’ (man and horse, riding as one) brand philosophy and their bestin-class road dynamics – their vehicles are especially fitting for such a program and advocacy.
“Any program that teaches young people to drive, is worth supporting,” declared Mazda Philippines CEO and President, Steven Tan, during his welcome remarks at last Saturday’s event.
Furthermore, Mazda Philippines also took this opportunity to showcase to the press their latest vehicles that are now equipped with GVC technology. GVC stands for G-vectoring control – a new Mazda technology that is the product of extensive R&D conducted in Japan. What it does is it enhances a car’s handling and stability by optimizing the vertical load on the tires, based on the driving conditions. In simpler terms, it adjusts the engine torque in order to maximize chassis performance (by allowing smoother transitions between G-forces). Having done that, it promotes a smoother drive and helps to reduce the size and frequency of a driver’s steering corrections. Combined with the brand’s other features of Skyactiv Vehicle Dynamics, it positions their products as among the most technologically impressive vehicles in their class out in the market today.
I have had my fair share of testing Mazda vehicles with and without GVC technology, back-to-back (to emphasize the difference), in Japan. Let’s just say that it is one of those conveniences that you don’t really realize that you are missing, until you’ve actually tried having it. The difference with and without it is subtle, but certainly noteworthy. There is much to say about it in detail, but I shall reserve that for another story!