Reigning Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires champion Michael Carter set the fastest practice lap Wednesday at Sebring International Raceway. Carter’s quickest lap came in the second of two practice sessions on the schedule.

Usually a place where the joy of competition brings people together and spirits are high, the Mazda MX-5 Cup paddock will instead be a somber one for the upcoming races at Sebring International Raceway this week. On March 10, Mike Pasquale, a dedicated and loved member of the MX-5 Cup staff passed away after contracting COVID-19.

Both MX-5 Cup races at Sebring will be streamed live on IMSA.com

Following the introduction of Mazda’s Women in Motorsports Initiative at the 2020 MX-5 Cup shootout, the Japanese auto brand has committed to keeping the program in place for the foreseeable future.

The 2021 season-finale Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires event will take place on November 10-12 this year as part of the 24th running of the Petit Le Mans event weekend. The race was originally scheduled for October 6-9, but IMSA has announced a change of date to allow teams to participate in the recently rescheduled 24 Hours of Le Mans.