IRVINE, Calif. (August 9, 2017) – Mazda Motorsports today announced open registration for the 2017 Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Challenge featuring a $110,000 prize pool, with $75,000 going to the overall winner. The two-race, total points event will be hosted at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 12-15. Registration is now open at MazdaMotorsports.com to all racecar drivers around the world, excluding Mazda Motorsports’ factory drivers.
Previously known as the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Invitational, this high-stakes challenge met success in its inaugural race last year, with 19 racers from the U.S., Japan, Australia, the U.K., Sweden, Poland, Germany and Switzerland competing. It was the first time in the history of professional MX-5 racing that Mazda Motorsports had organized a truly international race for some of sport’s best up-and-coming drivers.
“Mazda MX-5 racing is known to be intense, from grassroots to professional levels,” said David Cook, business development manager, Mazda Motorsports. “The Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires is our signature spec sports car series within the U.S. It is our intention to make the Global MX-5 Cup Challenge the pinnacle of spec sports car racing in the world. Last year, our focus was to get this event off the ground and to showcase our brand-new car to racers and media beyond the U.S. Now, it’s about showing everyone what the top racers in the world can do in our Global MX-5 Cup car."
Having delivered almost 150 Global Mazda MX-5 Cup cars, there will be ample opportunities for drivers to find or rent a seat to compete for the $75,000 first prize and get a head start on their 2018 season. Racers will need to have an INDYCAR license to compete, as it is the sanctioning body of MX-5 Cup.
Prizes:
- First: $75,000
- Second: $25,000
- Third: $10,000
Format:
About the 2016 Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Invitational:
Nathanial “Sparky” Sparks added the title of Global Invitational Champion to his racing resume after having just been crowned the 2016 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires champion.