September 28, 2023 – Looking to finish another terrific season of Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires (MX-5 Cup) competition off in style, Hixon Motor Sports (HMS) is bringing eight drivers to the famed Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. A mix of race winners, rookies, veterans, and a newcomer, HMS is looking to not only win the final two wheel-to-wheel races of 2023 but dominate as well.
“We have had another great season, but we would like to cap it off in style,” explained Bryan Hixon. “The final event weekend of the year provides another opportunity to win, but even more of an opportunity to prove what our program can do and build momentum towards our 2024 campaign. After the event, we will celebrate in style at the awards banquet and hopefully, we can add on to the hardware that we earned in 2022.”
In the final event of the season, Selin Rollan will enter his final two races before taking off to be a commercial pilot. After a storied career, Rollan is hanging up his racing helmet as he shifts the focus to his work and family life after a successful motorsports career and his upcoming wedding in November. While Rollan looks to finish his 2023 campaign with a win or podium sweep, he will be pushed by perennial front-runner and multi-time race winner, Connor Zilisch, and Rookie of the Year candidate, Thomas Annunziata. All three drivers have been on the podium this season and would like nothing more than to help the HMS squad finish on top.
Selin Rollan is a truly selfless gentleman who has created a special wedding registry to donate to charity instead of asking for gifts and money. Please click HERE to make a donation to the Rollan Wedding Campaign to help kids with cancer and their families at the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.
“If there were ever the realistic opportunity for Hixon Motor Sports to Win, Place, Show, it will be at our upcoming championship weekend as part of the Petit Le Mans weekend,” said enthusiastically by HMS Team Manager, Shea Holbrook.
Joining Rollan, Zilisch, and Annunziata will be the familiar MX-5 Cup names in Farhan Siddiqi, Bailey Cruse, Julian DaCosta, and Jonathan Neudorf as they will all be joined by team newcomer, Christian Hodneland, who will make his MX-5 Cup series debut at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
“I am thankful for the opportunity but also think this weekend will be a challenge,” explained Hodneland. “I will need to learn a new car and a new style of racing without much preparation. However, I am addicted to watching Mazda MX-5 Cup racing and thought it would be fun to try; and maybe I am ahead a few steps based on just learning and watching plus the addition of my experience, car control, risk assessments, strategies, coaching sessions, and racecraft.”
Hodneland continued, “I also want to improve my racing technique; and with the competition in Mazda MX-5 Cup, it seems like a terrific way to do just that. I am looking forward to working with HMS Driver Coach, Andrew Carbonell, and I will do whatever he tells me. I am grateful for the opportunity from everyone involved at Hixon Motor Sports.”
“I am confident that Christian will fit in with our seven other competitors,” added Hixon. “He has a good head on his shoulders and will be a valuable addition to the team. I can’t wait to get trackside!”
Taking place over the Petit Le Mans week and on the dates of October 11-13, Hixon Motor Sports will look to close out their Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires 2023 season in grand style. Stay tuned to their social media pages for news, photos, information, results, and live timing and streaming information over the event weekend. For weekend schedule information click HERE. All wheel-to-wheel races at Road Atlanta can be seen only at IMSA.TV and on Racer’s YouTube channel.