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Spec MX-5 Challenge Series Adds More Power, Shootouts
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Spec MX-5 Challenge, the third-generation Mazda Miata series, has opened up to Touring 4 cars and created shootouts that will earn one driver a new race car at the end of the season.
The series has been working closely with Mazda Motorsports to create a new Spec MX-5 class in SCCA and NASA road racing competition.
“We have been working with Mazda since November of last year on the rule set, the technologies and the branding,” said Tom Martin, director of the Spec MX-5 Challenge Series. “The whole thing is a coordinated effort.
“There will be some significant changes technically to the cars. We will have a new motor with more power. What’s great about that is it allows us to run a NASA class very competitively as opposed to being in a class but not having the right power-to-weight ratio to really fit into that class.”
Martin hopes to draw up to 10 regular-season cars at each race, with up to 10 independent area drivers joining the spotlight events.
Another change is the continuation of special prizes and competition, such as this year’s awarding of a race car to one single-event driver, which might add to the series' ranks.
“Most racers start thinking about running in a new class, but think, ‘OK, I need car….’ So giving an opportunity to rent a car, run one race weekend, potentially win a car, then you have the car you need to run a follow-on season,” Martin said.
The Spec MX-5 Challenge series was created to fill a gap between Spec Miata and the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup. Based on the third generation Mazda Miata, the cars are designed to be equal and nearly as quick as a Global MX-5 Cup car. In its inaugural year, the series was arrive-and-drive, full-season only.
The series’ next race is at Sonoma Raceway on June 14-16, then has events at Road America (Aug. 17-18) and Utah Motorsports Campus (Oct. 5-6) before its finale at Road Atlanta (Nov. 2-3).
For more information, including the series schedule, visit specmx-5.com.
Photo courtesy of Mazda Motorsports
The series has been working closely with Mazda Motorsports to create a new Spec MX-5 class in SCCA and NASA road racing competition.
“We have been working with Mazda since November of last year on the rule set, the technologies and the branding,” said Tom Martin, director of the Spec MX-5 Challenge Series. “The whole thing is a coordinated effort.
“There will be some significant changes technically to the cars. We will have a new motor with more power. What’s great about that is it allows us to run a NASA class very competitively as opposed to being in a class but not having the right power-to-weight ratio to really fit into that class.”
Martin hopes to draw up to 10 regular-season cars at each race, with up to 10 independent area drivers joining the spotlight events.
Another change is the continuation of special prizes and competition, such as this year’s awarding of a race car to one single-event driver, which might add to the series' ranks.
“Most racers start thinking about running in a new class, but think, ‘OK, I need car….’ So giving an opportunity to rent a car, run one race weekend, potentially win a car, then you have the car you need to run a follow-on season,” Martin said.
The Spec MX-5 Challenge series was created to fill a gap between Spec Miata and the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup. Based on the third generation Mazda Miata, the cars are designed to be equal and nearly as quick as a Global MX-5 Cup car. In its inaugural year, the series was arrive-and-drive, full-season only.
The series’ next race is at Sonoma Raceway on June 14-16, then has events at Road America (Aug. 17-18) and Utah Motorsports Campus (Oct. 5-6) before its finale at Road Atlanta (Nov. 2-3).
For more information, including the series schedule, visit specmx-5.com.
Photo courtesy of Mazda Motorsports
