IRVINE, Calif. (April 26, 2016) – When a company sells the world’s most popular roadster, and has the largest class of spec road-racers, expectations are high. These expectations are amplified when a new car and series are launched. 

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata has received rave reviews and multiple awards since its 2015 debut, including World Car of the Year. On the racing side, 94 orders have been placed for the $53,000 MX-5 Cup race car; 64 of those orders have already been delivered to customers, with additional deliveries scheduled in the weeks to come. This Friday, 40 of those cars will be taking the green flag at Mazda Raceway in the first race of the 2016 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires. 

John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), noted, “This MX-5 Cup race weekend represents almost two years of hard work by hundreds of people.  Having great partners like Battery Tender, BFGoodrich Tires, Long Road Racing and the many engineers within Mazda, both here and Japan, makes this a very special weekend. The rush of cars going into turn two on Friday afternoon will be an amazing sight. Those not in Monterey can tune in to the livestream. I predict epic racing action.” 

The first two MX-5 Cup races will be this Friday and Saturday, both at 12:00 p.m. Pacific. Both races will be streamed on www.mazdalive.com as well as www.iRacing.com and www.fanschoice.tv 

The Battery Tender MX-5 Cup is the signature spec series for the Mazda Road to 24 (#MRT24), the sports car counterpart to the Mazda Road to Indy (#MRTI). On both paths, Mazda-powered champions earn a Mazda scholarship to advance their career. The MX-5 Cup champion will earn a coveted $200,000 Mazda scholarship to pursue his or her dream in sports car racing. 

This weekend's field of racers comprises a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. The field showcases the true spirit of Mazda with drivers from all walks of life including professional racers, medical professionals, engineering students, business owners, a singer-songwriter and a rocket scientist.  The teams range from small, single-car family operations to large multi-car efforts. 

The 2016 MX-5 Cup season will feature the all-new fourth-generation Mazda MX-5. For the first time, Mazda has commissioned complete turnkey race cars ensuring all cars are as close to identical as possible, all to ensure the best drivers rise to the top. Information on the car is online at www.mazdamotorsports.com