Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (hereinafter "Idemitstu") announced on May 23 that it will serve as oil technical sponsor for the Mazda MX-5 (known as Mazda Roadster in Japan) competing in the 24 Hours Nurburgring endurance race in Germany on June 21-22, 2014.

As an oil maker active worldwide, Idemitsu has developed jointly with Mazda Motor Corporation (hereinafter "Mazda") the optimal engine oils and transmission oils for Mazda vehicles equipped with  power trains that are developed on the basis of Mazda's SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY.

Since the Mazda Roadster is one of the vehicles subject to these development efforts, this oil sponsorship will serve as an opportunity to put to use knowledge from Idemitsu's joint oil development with Mazda.

Together with demonstrating not just on public roads but on the racing circuit as well the technological capabilities it has accumulated in oil development and contributing to the advancement of motorsport culture, Idemitsu plans to support, through supply of oil products, Mazda's global efforts to take on challenges based on the vision of creating cars that combine the joy of driving with outstanding environmental and safety performance.

Overview of the race

1. Race name: 24 Hours Nurburgring endurance race (ADAC Zurich 24-hour race)

2. Vehicle: Mazda MX-5

(V3 Category: NC soft-top based, 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated, unmodified class)

3. Team name: Mazda Motor Sports Team JOTA

Reference: Mazda website: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/

About Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd.

Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative Director and CEO: Takashi Tsukioka

About Mazda Motor Corporation

Headquarters: Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima, Japan

Representative Director, President and CEO: Masamichi Kogai