MichRX7
1st Gear
Posts: 45
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posted April 14, 2005 01:49 PM |
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Alan Johnson Keynote Speaker at the Rotary Revolution!
Indianapolis, IN - The Rotary Revolution proudly announces Keynote speaker Alan Johnson of Mazda North America to the 2005 Rotary Revolution.
In 1999 when Mazda unveiled a concept vehicle appropriately named the RX-Evolv the rotary community sat up and took notice. Could it be? A new rotary engine powered vehicle? As we sat waiting that concept took shape into the new RX-8 unveiled in 2001 and the engine powering it was officially named "RENESIS." As the public waited for this new automobile to hit the showrooms it quickly won numerous awards including the prestigious "International Engine of the Year" in 2003 with an impressive 44 out of 50 votes.
The new RX-8 flew off showroom floors and a major following quickly sprung to life of new rotary enthusiasts Many of these enthusiasts knew nothing of the powerplant that zoomed their new vehicle down the highways at 9000 RPMs.
To help us all understand what makes this award winning new motor so special we asked Mazda to send us a keynote speaker schooled on the ins and outs of their new rotary engine. Mazda responded by committing Alan Johnson to the task.
Alan's Topic: RENESIS
Alan will be speaking on what makes the new Renesis motor so special and how it differs from past Mazda forays into the rotary engine. Mr. Johnson's seminar will cater to both new and old rotary engine enthusiasts, as well as those new RX-8 owners who have no previous experience with how special the rotary engine is that powers their new vehicle.
A little about Alan Johnson:
Born and raised in Chicago, IL; Mr. Johnson became active with the SCCA in the late 60's and started driving SCCA sanctioned events in 1970. He won the Central Division National G Production class championship in 1974 and 1975. In late 1977 he started building his RX-2 B Sedan and debuted it at the 1978 June Sprints. The RX-2 ran in the SCCA for two years before Mr. Johnson converted it to run in the IMSA GTU class. His first outing for the car was the 1980 Daytona 24hr endurance race where the car finished fourth in GTU and fifteenth overall. It was a great race for the rotary engine teams as the Downing/Mandeville RX-7 finished second and the Honegger/Hutchins RX-7 finished third. Alan continued to campaign his RX-2 in IMSA for several years until he finally sold it to Rob Warkocki who converted the vehicle to GT-3.
Alan's history with Mazda starts in 1973 when Mazda first opened dealerships in the Chicago region. Mr. Johnson was employed with several dealers as a Service Technician until 2000 when he was recruited by Mazda to come work for the newly formed Midwest Region. Because of his involvement, and 1994 win, in the Master Technician Troubleshooting competitions with a third gen RX-7, Mr. Johnson received high visibility when Mazda came looking for Field Engineers. In the fall of 2003 Mazda Corporate's Technical Services Division came calling and moved him out to their headquarters in Irvine, California.
Today Mr. Johnson works with dealers on issues concering Diagnostic Equipment, Powertrain, Chassis, Body Control Modules and OBDII. He also handles Mazda's prior model support which includes any Mazda vehicle out of production, but still on the road. Mr. Johnson has trained numerous persons on the "ins and outs" of the rotary engine.
As an added bonus, Mr. Warcocki will be trailering Alan Johnson's original RX-2 B Sedan down to the 2005 Rotary Revolution to put on display. We hear tale that it's been restored to running condition and may turn a few laps (and heads) during road course openings on Sunday.
Help us welcome Alan Johnson with Mazda for his first visit to the Rotary Revolution!
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ONLINE REGISTRATION ENDS FRIDAY APRIL 15TH AT MIDNIGHT EST!
Click here and register today.
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Lateral G LLC is the parent company that brought the rotary community the exciting and dynamic Rotary Revolution.
Additional information about Lateral G LLC, and the events they will host in 2005 are available on the internet: www.lat-g.com
Additional information about Mazda USA is availaable on the web at www.MazdaUSA.com
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