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.
An important part of that success has been great partnerships. For 2014, BFGoodrich® Tires is increasing their partnership to that of presenting sponsor. 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,” notes 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,” says John Doonan, director of Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations. “Key to the success is great partners, and we have enjoyed fantastic support from both the marketing and technical sides of BFGoodrich® Tires. We’re 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.
| Date | Round | Track | Headliner |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 12-14 | Rounds 1 & 2 | Sebring International Raceway | TUDOR Championship |
| May 2-4 | Rounds 3 & 4 | Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca | TUDOR Championship |
| June 27-29 | Round 5 & 6 | Grand Prix of Houston | IndyCar Series |
| July 11-13 | Rounds 7 & 8 | Canadian Tire Motorsports Park | TUDOR Championship |
| August 8-10 | Round 9 & 10 | Road America | TUDOR Championship |
| Oct. 1-3 | Rounds 11 & 12 | Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta | TUDOR Championship |
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 known as the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Pro Challenge.