BFGoodrich® Tires Becomes Presenting Sponsor

January 3, 2014 (DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.) Since 2006, the Mazda MX-5 Cup has produced some of the closest races in all of motorsports. As a part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Ladder, the series has been a springboard for young drivers looking to move up. It is also a destination series for others who simply want affordable racing on a professional weekend. Key to the success has been great partnerships. For 2014, BFGoodrich® Tires is increasing their partnership to that of presenting sponsor. For 2014, the series will be known as the Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich® Tires.

The relationship between BFGoodrich® Tires and Mazda now covers four decades and included a successful trip to Le Mans in 1984. We are proud of both our brands heritage in motorsport, which continues in 2014 with the Mazda MX-5 Cup utilizing the BFGoodrich g-Force R1-S as the spec tire and BFGoodrich becoming the series presenting sponsor, noted Peter Calhoun, Motorsport Marketing Manager for BFGoodrich® Tires, Inc.

The MX-5 Cup is known within the paddock as must see racing with many races determined on the last lap, said John Doonan, director of Mazda Motorsports. Key to the success is great partners, and we have enjoyed fantastic support from both the marketing and technical sides of BFGoodrich® Tires. Were thrilled to have them step up as the presenting sponsor for 2014. We also wish to thank our friends at Playboy for six great years. Hopefully our paths will cross again.

For the 2013 season, the total series payout was in excess of $500,000. The top prize of the MX-5 Cup remains a Mazda supported ride in a series above.

The previously announced 2014 schedule includes five weekends with the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and one with Indycar. All weekends will be doubleheaders.

March 12-14	Rounds 1 & 2	Sebring International Raceway with TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
May 2-4	Rounds 3 & 4	Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
June 27-29	Round 5 & 6	Grand Prix of Houston with IndyCar Series
July 11-13	Rounds 7 & 8	Canadian Tire Motorsports Park with TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
August 8-10	Round 9 & 10	Road America with TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
Oct. 1-3	Rounds 11 & 12	Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta with TUDOR United SportsCar Championship

Teams expected to race in the 2014 MX-5 Cup include:

Teams expected to race in the 2014 MX-5 Cup include:

• ALARA Racing
• Atlanta Motorsports Group
• CJ Wilson Racing
• Sick Sideways
• Speedcraft

In addition to the main MX-5 Cup class, there is a separate class for MX-5s prepared by the Skip Barber Racing School. Their race within a race is classified as the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Pro Challenge.

About Mazda, Mazda Motorsports, and MAZDASPEED

Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America among both club racers and professionals. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the worlds largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda Motorsports established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazdas success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Mazda Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.Operations in Mexico are managed by MazdaMotor de Mexico in MexicoCity.

Consumer information can be found at

www.mazdausa.com, with press information at www.mazdausamedia.com. Racers and fans can follow the action on Facebook (Mazda Motorsport), Twitter (Mazda Racing), and www.mazdamotorsports.com