More than 1000 enthusiasts and 676 MX-5s attended the event, which allowed registered visitors to sign the record-breaking millionth sportscar – officially recognised as the best-selling two-seat convertible sportscars in the world – as well as other owner activities including a show and shine and parade lap.
The Japanese car-maker also brought its upcoming hardtop MX-5 RF out to play, as well as offering some attendees a hot lap in its Global MX-5 Cup Car and hosting talks with the second- and third-generation MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima and famous New Zealand drifter ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett.
Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak said Fan Fest was the biggest MX-5 event in Australia to date and reception had been overwhelmingly positive for the event on Saturday.
“We had a great turnout and ended up with almost 500 cars doing the parade lap, which was three times bigger than any previous MX-5 event in Australia,” he said. “We were just blown away by the support it got, we had people bring their cars down from interstate and clubs drive down from Sydney, so it was a great event.
“They are some of our most passionate and loyal customers, our MX-5 customers. Over the years we’ve always given them support for their meets and all sorts of things, but this was something much, much bigger than we’ve ever done before and, what can we say, we’ve been absolutely delighted with the response and the numbers we got there on Saturday, it was just fantastic.”
Mr Doak said Mazda Australia worked closely with MX-5 clubs around the country to co-ordinate Fan Fest and that it all stemmed from the celebratory millionth MX-5.
“We worked very closely with all the MX-5 clubs to make it happen and obviously they were organising their members to come along and we blasted out to our database as well and let people know it was happening,” he said.
“It was kind of a joint venture between us and the clubs to do this event. It was really the one millionth car and bringing that to Australia which really kicked the whole conversation off. People could sign the car, which has happened around the world, so that was the big drawcard.”
Unfortunately for some interstate fans, Mazda’s millionth MX-5 was only in the country for the single day event in Melbourne with Mr Doak confirming the car is moving on, but did hint that the success of Fan Fest could lead to more customer appreciation activities.
“We haven’t got any firm plans at this point, but I guess the success of this one, I imagine we would certainly have a good think about it and see what we can do down the track,” he said.
“The response was just huge and just seeing everybody have such a good time and be engaged with the brand and MX-5 in particular was a really nice thing to see. I’m sure it will encourage us to have a think about what we can do down the track.”
Mazda’s MX-5 first entered production in 1989 and has successively been produced for the last 28 years. After nine years, the first-generation NA MX-5 was succeeded by the NB in 1998. In 2005, Mazda released the MX-5’s third-iteration and, in 2015, brought the current ND MX-5 to market.
By Tung Nguyen
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