Professional racing drivers are trained to drive at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour. You sit in traffic for two hours -- but when you’re on the open road, do you really feel comfortable behind the wheel? Professional racers have spent thousands of dollars to learn their trade. Now, thanks to Mazda, you can enroll in a high performance driving school for under $40, and get the bonus of competing in a national driving competition to win a MAZDA6 sport sedan.
Automotive enthusiasts in 15 major markets around the US will have a chance to get behind the wheel at Mazda Rev It Up, the world’s largest performance driving school tour and competitive driving challenge starting March 29 in San Francisco. Mazda Rev It Up is more than just a high performance driving school and national competition, however. Everyone attending the event will have an opportunity to drive the new MAZDA6, the Miata and the Protege on a simulated street course. Also, on display will be vehicles from MAZDASPEED, the company’s high-performance arm.

“Mazda Rev It Up is designed for anyone who loves cars and wants to improve his or her driving skills,” said Kristen Simmons, vice president of marketing for Mazda North American Operations. “For the truly competitive, it’s a chance to prove they can be one of America’s fastest amateur race drivers.”

Mazda Rev It Up consists of several components: classroom instruction, performance driving instruction with professional drivers and a solo event that will pit the driver against the clock and competitors.

The classroom session is patterned after “Chalk Talk” instruction held at racing schools. A standard one-day session at a top performance driving school generally costs between $600-$900.

The Mazda Rev It Up “Chalk Talk” includes all aspects of driving--from the best seating position to vehicle dynamics to how to find the proper racing line to skid recovery. The performance driving clinics allow participants to receive one-on-one instruction from a pro driver.

Mazda’s national competitive driving challenge is designed so that each participant has two practices and two chances to post the highest score on an autocross course behind the wheel of the new MAZDA6 sports sedan. Drivers will be able to see how they fare against all others in their class during the weekend. A special website, www.MazdaRevItUp.com, will show how drivers measure up against others across the country. The site will also feature a photo gallery with highlights from each market. The driver to post the highest score in each market will go on to a National Finals and be eligible to will a MAZDA6 as the grand prize. Other prizes will be awarded locally each weekend to all competitors.

Mazda Rev It Up is for more than just car enthusiasts—it’s a lifestyle event for anyone who enjoys an active or sports lifestyle. There will be cool interactive activities to attract everyone seeking a great way to spend a weekend. The first additional feature to be announced is the debut of ESPN The Truck, which will feature an array of interactive activities and live ESPN radio broadcasts.

Participants may register online at www.MazdaRevItUp.com or by phone at 877-311-5771.