Inaugural MX-5 Cup Global Invitational Preview

September 7, 2016|

Series News

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IRVINE, Calif. (September 8, 2016) – The MX-5 Cup race cars are the same ones that raced at Mazda Raceway just five months ago, but there are many new faces behind the wheel. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as a part of the Mazda Road to Indy season finale weekend, the inaugural MX-5 Cup Global Invitational will take place. Ten American Mazda racers will be going head-to-head with five European racers, and two each from Japan and Australia, all in identically prepared Mazda MX-5 Cup race cars.

John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations, said, “This weekend reflects over two years of planning. It will pave the way for our program to grow internationally in 2017 and beyond. When we launched the new car and series, we included the word ‘Global’ for a reason. Mazda affiliates and racers from abroad have wanted to get involved in what had previously been North American exclusive. We’re thrilled to have our overseas friends join us at our home track for what we hope will be the first of many such events in the years to come. With all cars being as identical as possible, it’s a perfect showcase for racers to prove that no matter if you are on the highway, or on the track, driving matters.”

Live Stream Schedule:

Both races will be lived streamed onwww.MazdaLIVE.com

10:30 p.m. (Pacific) Saturday, September 10, 2016 - Race #1
10:00 a.m. (Pacific) Sunday, September 11, 2016 - Race #2

The Competitors:

Oliver Allwood – England
Erik Blixit – Sweden
Anthony Crawford – Australia
John Dean II - USA
Mark Drennan - USA
Robby Foley - USA
Kamil Franczak - Poland
Gabriele Gardel – Switzerland
Enami Kitahira – Japan
Moritz Kranz – Germany
Ara Malkhassian, USA
Glenn McGee - USA
Sarah Montgomery - USA
Tim Probert - USA
Mike Sinclair - Australia
Nathanial Sparks - USA
Chris Stone - USA
Aurora Straus - USA
Yuui Tsutsumi – Japan

The format: Two 45-minute races will be run. The racer scoring the most points between the two races will be crowned the champion.

The Prize: The winner of the Invitational will be sent to Mazda Motorsports partner Multimatic to train on the “Driver in the Loop” (DIL) simulator. Upon a successful simulation performance, he or she could advance to a one-day test in the Mazda Prototype that competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series.

Weekend story notes:

Over 100 MX-5 Cup race cars have been built and delivered in under one year. The 100th car was recently delivered to the Monticello Motor Club.
John Dean II will be seeking to make up for two near wins at Mazda Raceway at the season opening Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup weekend.
Four of the 19 racers are women, two each from the U.S.A., and Japan.
Nathanial Sparks is currently leading the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires championship and the chase for the $200,000 Mazda Road to 24 Scholarship.
Aurora Straus will be performing double-duty this weekend. In addition to racing, she will be singing the national anthem prior to the afternoon races each day.

Mark Drennan is the lone Californian in the field, and considered a local expert for the track.
This will be the first ever visit to Mazda Raceway for the international racers. Many of them trained on iRacing to learn the track.

Track Location: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

1021 Monterey-Salinas Highway
Salinas, CA 93908

http://www.mazdaraceway.com/mazda-road-indy

Weekend MX-5 Cup Schedule Highlights:

Friday, September 9, 2016

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Practice #1

1:25 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. Practice #2

3:40 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. Qualifying

Saturday, September 10, 2016

10:50 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. Race #1 (45 minutes)

Sunday, September 11, 2016

10:20 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. Race #2 (45 minutes)