Mazda leaving IMSA: Reaction

OK.  OK.  I just had to editorialize on this one.  I just had to.  Mazda apparently are taking their ball and going home after the 2021 IMSA season is done and dusted.  Now, I just knew, somehow or other, that these blokes couldn't take the heat.  Sure, they claim (and maybe rightfully so) that they've no interest in designing and building a car for the new formula to debut in 2023, with LMDh.  That is their excuse.  Well, maybe, just maybe, they are also a wee bit sheepish about the competition.  I dare say.  Honda seems to be in, and we have to wait and see what GM will do.  Being a fan, a super fan of Action Express Racing, my favorite team, there must be some way, I hope, that GM can continue in LMDh.  But, we have yet to hear of this.  It sounds like Porsche also want in on this golden opportunity for LMDh.  They too, want a piece of the sweet, delicious pie that this new category could become.  

As for Mazda, those blokes raced us hard, and sometimes, too hard, but not always fairly.  You say you're realigning your focus in motor racing.  Are you boys tuckered out?  Can't take the heat when we make a move on you into the Bus Stop chicane on the backstretch at Daytona?  It sounds like these blokes are just throwing in the towel, claiming that they will develop their spec racing rather than running prototypes.  OK, fine.  You can choose to run club racers in the grassroots championships.  There's nothing wrong with that.  All the more opportunities then, for AXR to go for victories, and still Expect To Win.  You guys are giving up too easily.  Spec racing is noble, to help customers who rely on your product.  However, wouldn't you rather be out there on the big stage, with the most technologically advanced race cars on the planet?  Wouldn't that suit you better?

To be fair, your company is a smaller one than some of the other OEM's in the WeatherTech Championship.  While I wish Mazda well in their future endeavors, it seems to me, that by exiting the WeatherTech Championship, where all the brand recognition, all the TV coverage, all the fanbase is, they are making a decision they may live to regret should the LMDh formula in 2023 succeed.  Suit yourselves, boys.  It's your decision.  But, you might miss all those top level trophies and accolades that could be going the way of a certain team that has been your close rival for the last number of years in the DPi era and even before that when the IMSA WeatherTech Championship began in 2014.  Are you men?  Or, are you mice?