Mazda and 683 of its MX-5 models have set a new world record.
Dutch Mazda fans will have been in for a treat had they been in the city of Lelystad at the weekend (June 15th), as this was the setting for a new world record attempt for the manufacturer.
A total of 683 of the company's MX-5 models gathered at the RDW Test Centre to set a new entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest parade of Mazda cars.
The 1,450 petrol heads who took part in the stunt will be pleased to learn their 683 vehicle total smashed the previous record – 459 – which was set in Essen, Germany in 2010.
Part of the big MAX-5 2013 event, the record attempt saw Dutch TV presenter Allard Kalff get behind the wheel of the parade-leading car – a special edition of the MX-5 third-generation racing model.
Jeff Guyton, president and chief executive officer of Mazda Motor Europe, joined Mr Kalff in the first vehicle, before taking hold of the official Guinness World Records certificate from adjudicator Pravin Patel.
The parade of Mazdas – surely a sight to behold for buyers keeping an eye on the latest Mazda models – made its way through the polder landscape, while the RDW Test Centre played host to a number of events and demonstrations to celebrate all things Mazda.
Attendees were wowed by performances from the Ribank Mazda MAX-5 Cup racers, as well as a three-rotor-engined Mazda3 20B, which is owned by racing family the Van Hercks.
Taking part in the parade wasn't the only highlight for the MX-5 drivers, however, as 250 of them were invited to form a huge drive-in cinema, where they watched Arbitrage, a film starring Pretty Woman actor Richard Gere.
To decide which movie to watch from a list of three, the motorists were instructed to loudly blow their horn when the name of their preferred film was called out – and it seems Gere was the leading man of choice.
Posted by Peter Murray