Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary Commemorative Event Held in Japan
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MX-5/Miata roadster, Mazda held a huge celebration at the Miyoshi Proving Grounds in Hiroshima, Japan.
Held on September 20th, the event attracted more than 1,600 roadsters and nearly 2,600 owners and enthusiasts. Visitors were treated to Miata themed trivia games, introductions to various owners' clubs, and speeches by the car's development team. After Mazda's director and senior managing executive officer, Seita Kanai, addressed the crowd, all 1,600 roadsters performed a celebratory lap on Miyoshi's track.
Additional pictures and videos can be seen at the Mazda Miata 20th anniversary web site (it's in Japanese).
Huge Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary Commemorative Event Held in Japan
Over 1,600 Mazda Roadsters converged on Miyoshi Proving Ground in Hiroshima prefecture in western Japan
HIROSHIMA, Japan-To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Mazda Roadster (known overseas as the Mazda MX-5), Mazda Motor Corporation hosted a special commemorative event on September 20, 2009, at its Miyoshi Proving Ground in western Japan.
First launched in 1989, Mazda's two-seat lightweight open-top sports car is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. To commemorate the milestone, over 1,600 Roadsters and their owners made their way to the car's birthplace at the Miyoshi Proving Ground.
When the proving ground gates opened at 6:30 a.m., the arriving Roadsters were welcomed home by attending staff. Approximately 2,600 owners and fans had journeyed from all over Japan and overseas to join in the celebration. The event was officially launched with a toast from a 20-year old Roadster owner, who had been born the same year as the iconic vehicle was launched.
During the event, members of the development team and MX-5 owners from abroad delivered congratulatory speeches; Roadster owners' clubs from every region of Japan were introduced; and guests were invited to take part in a Roadster quiz. To bring the celebration to a close, Mazda's director and senior managing executive officer in charge of vehicle development, Seita Kanai, stood up to address the crowd. His cry of, "The Roadster is forever!" was greeted by thunderous applause from the spectators.
To end with a Zoom-Zoom flourish, all 1,600 Roadsters formed up to parade around the track before leaving the Miyoshi Proving Ground with a fond farewell from the Mazda staff.
Main events at the Roadster 20th Anniversary Meet
Date held: Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 10:00 a.m.
Venue: Mazda Miyoshi Proving Ground in Miyoshi, Hiroshima prefecture. (Mazda's main proving ground in Japan.)
Organizer: Roadster 20th Anniversary Meet Committee. (This committee is mainly comprised of staff from Mazda's Domestic Business Division and members of Roadster owners' clubs.)Hosted by: Mazda Motor Corporation
Hosted by: Mazda Motor Corporation
Supported by: Volunteers from the "National Roadster Meeting Official Summit for (the) 20th/World Roadster Friendship Clubs"
Participating Mazda Roadsters: Approximately 1,600 units
Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary Web Site (currently available in Japanese only):
http://www.mazda.co.jp/roadster_20th/
HEMI426
October 1, 2009 9:27 PM
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