PROJECT YELLOW LIGHT
Mazda Road to Indy to Carry the Message

Young Mazda Racers Promoting Distracted Driving Awareness By Dean Case* Racers in all three rungs of the Mazda Road to Indy will be carrying the Project Yellow Light message at this weekend’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Over the past decade, Mazda Motorsports has been working to develop young driving talent through its Mazda Road to Indy and Mazda SportsCar Racing Academy. With its relationship with Project Yellow Light, Mazda Motorsports hopes to promote peer-to-peer communication to discuss and combat the dangers of distracted driving. “With so many teenage race drivers competing with Mazda, we saw that we had both a responsibility and an opportunity to highlight the dangers of distracted driving,” said John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations. “While young drivers may not always listen to their parents’ advice or direction, we have professional racers in our programs who, being the same age, can explain the difference between right and wrong with the credibility of a friend. This is a great way for our racers to become local heroes in their communities.” Project Yellow Light began as a scholarship competition for high school and college students designed to bring about change. Participants are given a clear mission: encourage their peers to develop and embrace safe driving habits. Since 2012, Mazda Motorsports has been the scholarship sponsor. The 2015 awards will be announced during the May 1-3 race weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Scholarship details can be found at www.projectyellowlight.com Project Yellow Light founder Julie Garner remarked, “Mazda Motorsports was the first major supporter of Project Yellow Light. Ben Albano and Tristan Nunez have taken leadership roles in promoting safe driving. Now, with the Mazda Road to Indy racers, we can expand that message, both here and abroad.” Through a turn-key presentation, developed by Mazda Motorsports, Project Yellow Light, and students at California State University, Fullerton, Mazda Road to Indy racers have an educational message they can take to high schools near where they live and race. Mazda Motorsports encourages all young racers, fans and anyone who operates a motor vehicle to learn more about the program, and participate in helping to spread the word that distracted driving kills. *A former LA Car contributing editor, author Dean Case is the Communications Officer for Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations.