December 8, 2022 – Providing Hixon Motor Sports (HMS) with their first victory back in 2021 by 0.001 and continuing his winning ways in 2022, Selin “The Machine” Rollan is back for one final season in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires (MX-5 Cup) season in 2023. Once again committing his talents to Hixon Motor Sports before switching his focus to become a full-time commercial airline pilot, Rollan will pilot the #87 Austin Hatcher Foundation (AHF) branded machine in his quest to secure the series title and a quarter-million dollars and maybe even a lease on a Mazda for a full year.
“We are honored that Selin has once again chosen us for his race program, and we will put in 110% effort to make sure he has a shot at the elusive championship,” expressed Bryan Hixon, Owner of Hixon Motor Sports. “Selin has a special place within our team. He provided us with our first podium, our first win, and is the senior statesman for our crop of younger drivers. A leader both on and off the track, Selin brings years’ worth of MX-5 experience back to HMS and a true desire to win. When you have Selin Rollan offering tips to his teammates along with existing HMS Coach, Andrew Carbonell, and with former MX-5 Cup champion and a new full 2023 season HMS Coach, John Dean, II, all working together, it’s setting up our HMS roster for unparalleled success throughout 2023.”
Finishing fourth in the point battle in 2022 included a race win at the barrier-lined circuit of St. Petersburg and several additional trips to the podium, Rollan was in contention for podium finishes all season long and had one of the best records through the first six races of the season. Looking to finish his full-time MX-5 career on a high, Rollan is aiming for nothing less than that $250,000 MX-5 Cup Driver’s Championship in 2023.
“I love this team and series and really want to go out on top,” explained Rollan. “Bryan and Shea Holbrook have built this program from the ground up and transformed it into a race-winning, and soon-to-be championship-winning effort. I have personally had a lot of history with HMS in just a few short years and want to earn the title of ‘Series Champion’ for both myself, more importantly, Hixon Motor Sports, who has continued to give me such a great opportunity.”
Like the 2022 season, Selin will pilot the Austin Hatcher Foundation car for his entire 2023 campaign. The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child and child’s family quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship. The Foundation provides services to children with cancer as well as their families through its four major divisions: Industrial Arts Therapy, Diversionary Therapy, Psycho-Oncology, and Healthy Lifestyle Education.
"We are so excited to be a part of the Hixon Motor Sports team for a full and exciting 2023 season,” explained Amy Jo Osborn, Austin Hatcher Foundation President and CEO. “It is exciting for us and our families to watch the AHF logo travel around the country on Rollan's beautiful racecar, and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes this season. We thank Rollan and the Hixon Motor Sports team for helping promote the foundation’s mission of erasing the effects of childhood cancer for entire families."