The Midwest Automotive Media Association Hosted 87 Journalists for the 2022 Rally at Road America
ELKHART LAKE, Wis.--The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) hosted the 2022 MAMA Rally on May 24-26 at Road America. Over the course of two days, 87 journalists working in automotive and related industries put a variety of the industry’s latest vehicles through their paces including on-track, autocross, and scenic street drives. Due to popular demand, the technical off-road course sponsored by Jeep was expanded to a full day.
Auto manufacturer partners and sponsors provided nearly 65 vehicles for journalists to test and evaluate over the two-day event.
The sky was cloudy, but MAMA members were eager to get the first day started after a breakfast presentation of Hyundai’s IONIQ 5. After the first morning of track touring laps, street drive evaluations, and muddy all-terrain off-road challenges, the group fueled up with lunch sponsored by Mazda when they were briefed on the new CX-50.
That afternoon, after the track went cold, a brave group of MAMA members participated in the second annual “4 Miles of Fitness,” sponsored by Kia. This event is an opportunity to enjoy the legendary track from a new perspective, walking, running, or by bicycle.
Later that evening, Subaru hosted dinner with a presentation on the new Solterra.
Day 2 offered up sunny skies and participants were greeted at breakfast by the new Nissan Z, with street drives and an autocross competition to follow. Lunch, sponsored by Cars.com, marked the conclusion of the event.
Preliminary voting for MAMA’s annual Family Vehicle of the Year (FVOTY) and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year (LFVOTY) Awards also took place. The FVOTY finalists include the 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5, 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, and 2023 Mazda CX-50. LFVOTY finalists include the 2023 Genesis GV60, 2022 Lincoln Navigator, and 2022 BMW i4.
A final round of online voting will take place later this year to determine the overall winner in each category. Winners in both categories will be announced at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show in February.
This year’s rally also marked the introduction of five new awards to recognize vehicles across a wider range of categories, including vehicles that are not new or redesigned.
“MAMA members have strong opinions, so we decided to give them another opportunity to express themselves with the MAMA’s Favorite awards.” said Harvey Briggs, MAMA President. “This diverse group of winners highlights the broad background and varied interests of our membership.”
Members chose their “favorite” candidates in each category from among the vehicles available to drive at the rally, with the following results.
MAMA’s Favorite Off-Roader: Gold: 2022 Jeep Wrangler 392 Xtreme Recon, Silver: 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, Bronze: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe
MAMA’s Favorite Street Vehicle: Gold: 2023 Nissan Z, Silver: 2023 Mazda CX-50, Bronze: 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Hybrid
MAMA’s Favorite Performance Vehicle: Gold: 2022 Hyundai Elantra N, Silver: 2022 BMW M240i xDrive Coupe (Tie), Silver: 2022 Toyota GR86 (Tie), Bronze: 2022 Mazda MX-5 Club RF (to qualify vehicles had to be run on the track or autocross course)
MAMA’s Favorite Luxury Vehicle: Gold: 2022 Genesis GV70, Silver: 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Bronze: 2022 Lincoln Navigator Black Label
MAMA’s Favorite BEV: Gold: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, Silver: 2023 Genesis GV60, Bronze: 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5
