May 4, 2023 – The 2023 Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires (MX-5 Cup) will make its first West Coast appearance of the season with a trip to the famed WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca over Mother’s Day weekend. Bringing six drivers to California, Hixon Motor Sports (HMS) will aim to keep their momentum going in rounds five and six of the 14-race season.
“First off, we are excited to get back to racing and want to wish all the mothers out there an early Happy Mother’s Day,” expressed Bryan Hixon. “In racing, we understand that we must make some sacrifices, and racing on Mother’s Day weekend is one of them. Despite that, we are ready to get down to business and continue our 2023 success.”
Back in the saddle, HMS will welcome Hanna Zellers back to the program as she returns to compete for the $2000 per race women-only prize. While Zellers unfortunately missed the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg event, she has been behind the wheel practicing her race craft and technique at several test sessions.
“With some extra training and seat time in the MX-5 Cup car, we hope to see Hanna kick off practice one at rounds five and six with a formidable lap time versus her female rival,” explained Team Manager Shea Holbrook. “Hanna is a real talent, and we want to see her succeed.”
While Zellers returns, it will be perennial front-runner Connor Zilisch who leads the team into Laguna Seca. With a slim 60-point advantage, Zilisch sits atop the 2023-point standings as the 2022 Vice-Champion and 2022 Rookie of the Year looks to increase that lead this season. Behind him, Selin Rollan sits third in the title chase but has experience at Laguna Seca on his side and currently holds the MX-5 Cup qualifying lap record from way back in 2019.
Thomas Annunziata sits 12th in the championship standings but is the leader in the 2023 Rookie of the Year points battle where two Hixon Motor Sports drivers sit in the top-three. Jonathan Neudorf has slotted himself into the third rookie position while Bruno Smielevski is the fourth rookie.
“We currently lead the Team Championship, Driver Championship, and Rookie of the Year Championship,” added Hixon. “Our goal is to strengthen our positioning in each championship chase as the season quickly approaches the halfway mark.”
Hixon Motor Sports will hit the 11-turn, 2.238-mile course of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, known for the famous Corkscrew turn, from May 12-14 for the fifth and sixth rounds of the 14-round 2023 season. Stay tuned to the Hixon Motor Sports social media pages for news, information, photos, and results throughout the 2023 season.