SCCA Southeastern & Mid-States Majors conferences collide this weekend at NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, La. Located miles from the famous French Quarter in New Orleans, this race track provides competitors excitement both on- and off-track. Mid-States action begins this weekend, with the SE conference embarking on its third race event of the season this weekend. After two competitive events (Homestead and Sebring, respectively) on the books, the action heats up during the mid-way point of its season. (Road Atlanta and VIR follow.)
Competition will be exciting in several classes. 32 entries are set in Spec Miata. Who will be the one to watch? Anyone’s guess. But leading the SE conference is Selin Rollan, followed closely by Danny Steyn and Blake Clements. But look for the pros Andrew Carbonell, Nathanial Sparks, and Alex Bachoura to challenge for the podium.
In E Production, there are five registered racers; leading the way, SCCA National Champion Matt Reynolds and Don Tucker, driving Mazda Miatas. In F Production, two Miatas will battle: piloted by Mark Weber and Weber Manning. In GT-Lite, the lone Mazda will be driven by Michael Kamalian. At Sebring, he was the man to beat, taking home a first and second place finish. At NOLA, he will take on four competitors. In Touring 4, five of the seven competitors will run Mazdas – either the RX-8 or Miata. Formula Mazda has eight competitors this weekend, making a strong showing.
In STL, 13 of the 14 competitors will run Mazda Miatas. In GT-3, two Mazda RX-7s will do battle: racers Joseph Gersch and Alan Marshall. In STU, three competitors will do battle, led by Luis Rivera, Spirit of Mazda recipient. In P1, three competitors will face off, with the lone Mazda competitor Jacek Mucha leading the charge. He has won all four races this year in dominant fashion. In P2, Mazda racer Jay Messenger will take on four competitors.
In B-Spec, James Wilson from Kyle, Texas will take on three Honda Fit’s. As Wilson is one of the best B-Spec drivers in the world and has proven he can handle an aircraft coming apart in mid-air (not really an exaggeration), we have confidence he will handle business this Saturday and Sunday.
Mazda wishes all competitors a fun and safe race weekend.