Ma5da racing driver James Maxfield takes victory in Venice!

MKG 3000 Mazda Director, James Maxfield, has helped guide the Mazda No 1 Team UK to victory in the pan-European Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary Endurance and Economy Race in Venice, Italy with James helping to take the chequered flag in one of the four Team UK Mazda MX-5 race cars on Wednesday.

Our No 1 Team UK car battled for four hours against some stiff competition from 27 other cars of dealer representatives for each of Mazda's European markets to cross the line first and lift the coveted trophy. "It's absolutely fantastic," James enthused, "an awesome victory for Team UK!"

In a challenging yet exciting race at the Adria International Raceway near Venice, which kept the excitement going right down to the last lap, the drivers in Team UK held their nerve and guided the race-spec Mazda MX-5 home in first position to become top of the rag-top pops. "We battled through the field and took over the lead at the fourth and last hour, but there was an accident near the end where the safety car had to come out, which meant it went right to the wire," James Maxfield as the UK No 1 Team leader explained. "But we came here with a job to do and we did it - although we didn't expect such a nail biting finish!"

"The MX-5 was simply brilliant - it handled superbly and was completely reliable," he continued. "The set-up was perfect and our garage team did a great job preparing the car. We took on rivals from all over Europe, a number of whom were part-time racing drivers, but we were consistent throughout, pushing ahead several places with each leg and that's what got us over the line in the end - consistency and teamwork."

It wasn't the first time 65-year-old James has sat behind the wheel of a race car - he competes regularly with the MKG 3000 Mazda MX-5 in the very competitive Ma5da Racing Series on tracks throughout Britain. His competitive racing background is legendary - having raced Karts for Great Britain in the 70's - and it is this experience plus his MX-5 racing experience which secured him Team Leadership of the Mazda No 1 Team UK.

James added, "The MX-5 was simply a joy to drive and the whole event was a great experience and a fantastic way to celebrate 20 years of the iconic roadster."

For more information on the Mazda MX-5 and its 20 years of history visit www.mx5turns20.co.uk.

For more information on the MX-5 racing series in the UK in 2010 see www.ma5daracing.com which kicks off at Brands Hatch on April 10/11

To find out about the Mazda range or to arrange a test drive, please call MKG3000 Mazda on 0208 538 9377 or visit the showroom at 113 Heath Road, Twickenham. Middlesex. TW1 4AZ or see www.mkg3000.com