AUTUMN MEANS KANSAS FOR MAZDA SCCA CLUB RACERS

14 Championships at the Solo Nationals, 130+ Mazda racers to compete in 11 Runoff Classes

When the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) moved the Runoffs to Heartland Park, Topeka, Kansas in 2006, it meant that the two largest gatherings of road racing/time trial club events were now both in Kansas. How important is racing to Topeka , Kansas ? Three Spec Miatas graced the cover of the 2006 Topeka visitors guide, showcasing the community's commitment to grassroots roadracing. Mazda racers had a successful time at the Solo Nationals and are ready to race at the Runoffs this weekend.

35th Tire Rack ® SCCA Solo National Championships Recap:

The numbers were staggering - almost 1,200 competitors in 35 vehicle classes, plus separate awards for women in each of the classes. Over 150 Mazdas took to the Heartland Park pylon course September 25 th -28 th . When the time sheets were summed up, 14 championships went to Mazda drivers.

2007 SCCA National Championship Runoffs ® Presented by AT&T Preview:

With 25 classes of racing, there is something for everyone at the Runoffs ranging from 500cc motorcycle engine-powered formula cars to large V-8 sedans. Mazda racers will be competing in 11 of the 25 races. A prize unique to the Mazda racers is an opportunity to compete in the post season MX-5 Cup shootout. Every Mazda powered runoff champion is eligible to win a brand new Mazda MX-5 and the MAZDASPEED parts required to build an MX-5 Cup car to compete in the 2008 pro series. This is the single largest prize in club racing and is valued in excess of $50,000. This is in addition to the outstanding contingency awards posted by Mazda. First place pays $5,000 to win, with $2,500 for second, and $1,250 for third. In total, Mazda has posted over $100,000 in contingency money.

Spec Miata (SM) -- The most popular class in all of club racing is Spec Miata. With over 1,500 cars competing across the country, the class has set the current benchmark for affordable racing. 2006 class champion Andrew Caddell will be returning to defend his honor. 39 entries.

Formula Mazda (FM) – The other race with a guaranteed Mazda winner is Formula Mazda, the club counterpart to the professional Star Mazda series. 2006 Champion Jim Goughary Jr. will be seeking a repeat and face off with 19 other identical rotary-powered formula cars.

Touring 3 (T3) – ST3 was a new-for-2006 class and Mazda swept the podium, led by Rick Gilhart in a Mazda RX-8. The competition in 2007 is expected to be between Mazda, Honda, and Chevrolet. A total of 29 cars were entered in the class.

E Production (EP) – 28 of the 38 entries are Mazda, dominated by a variety of first and second generation RX-7s. Thomas Thrash Jr. is a class favorite in his 1983 RX-7.

F Production (FP) – Jesse Prather will be looking to repeat his 2006 win in his bright red Mazda Miata. Seven of the 26 entries are Miatas.

Showroom Stock B (SSB) - A battle of roadsters in SSB with the Mazda MX-5 Vs the Pontiac Solstice. 30 entries.

Showroom Stock C (SSC) - Among the 21 entries are seven Mazda 3 s. Oklahoma racer John Saucier will be looking to improve on his 2006 runner-up position in his Mazda 3 .

C Sports Racing (CSR) – Several Mazda-powered cars are among the 18 entries.

Grand Touring 1 (GT1) – While the vast majority of this 21-car field is five-liter V-8's, Glen Jung is looking to repeat his amazing third-place finish from 2006 in his nimble 1.3 liter two rotor RX-7.

Grand Touring 2 (GT2) – A diverse field with 21 entries from Mazda, Porsche, Nissan, Toyota , Panoz, and Sunbeam. Four RX-7s are entered.

Grand Touring 3 (GT3) – Five RX-7s in the 21-car field. Thomas Thrash Jr. is a class favorite in his 1983 RX-7. Note: That is not a typo. Thrash will be racing in both EP and GT3 preparing an RX-7 for each class.

Since 1977, Mazda drivers have earned 46 SCCA national championships, 29 of them in the past decade. If Pratt Cole wins again this year he will become the winningest driver in Mazda history at the Runoffs, with four championships.

On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. At the track, you'll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA 3 , MAZDA 6 , RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car. In fact, the largest road-racing class in the world is Spec Miata, with more than 1,500 first- and second-generation Miatas tearing up America 's racetracks, making it the most-raced production car in the world. Mazda's involvement in motorsports extends to its relationship with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world's premier road-racing circuits, and the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing.