Racing in SCCA’s Southern Conference gets off to a hot start at Texas Motor Speedway with 9 class wins by Mazda drivers on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. Congratulations Mazda racers!

It was a weekend of great racing at Texas Motor Speedway in College Station, Texas, for the Texas Region SCCA Polar Prix U.S. Majors Tour. The event featured exciting racing amongst some of the best drivers in SCCA’s Southern Conference.

Moses Smith, driver of the No. 77 American Medical Response Formula Mazda had back-to-back wins in FM. “It was exciting to see the 10-car field in Formula Mazda,” Smith says. “Qualifying was so close, even with several new drivers.”

Smith qualified on the FM pole both days and led flag to flag. Despite a relatively smooth race for the winner, there were multiple battles behind him. “On Saturday, I think the closest race was for second and third position,” Smith recalls. “Sunday’s qualifying had me pumped since we put our AMR car on the pole, ahead of the Atlantic and P1s. I was ready to go racing and had a great fight at the start.”

Dave Zavelson, driver of the No. 2 Unfair Advantage Motorsports Star Mazda Pro Formula Mazda took the overall and Formula Atlantic wins both days. “This weekend was a huge success thanks to Texas Autosports and Formula Mazda,” Smith says. “I really enjoy racing with all of these guys, and I’m thankful for the race officials and volunteers who make it possible.”

The Spec Miata drivers made the most of their race with some exciting battles from start to finish. Alex Bachoura, driver of the No. 33 Cypress Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Spec Miata was the winner on Saturday with Chris Haldeman, driver of the No. 73 X-Factor Hoosier Tire Spec Miata right on his tail.

“After starting on pole, I got the early lead and led the first couple of laps after a clean start,” Haldeman says. “Alex made a classic draft move down the front stretch, and I said, ‘Sure go ahead, it’s early in the race.’ As the race progressed and we both drove flawlessly, I never had a chance to make a move on Alex, so I had to settle for second.”

Sunday’s race was a bit different. After qualifying on pole again, but with the absence of Bachoura, Haldeman led flag to flag with little or no threat from other drivers. “I pulled out a comfortable lead early and just set the cruise control,” Haldeman recalls. “Matt [Reynolds] was behind me so I knew I had to drive a clean race or he’d be there to pounce.”

Jason Glover, driver of the No. 6 Spec Miata, started at the back of the pack after missing qualifying. Running a clean race and making the necessary passes helped Glover achieve a third-place finish behind Haldeman and Reynolds. “I’m excited to head to NOLA Motorsports Park next month,” Haldeman says. “It’s going to be some awesome racing from some of the country’s top drivers, and I’m looking to follow up this success.”

SCCA U.S. Majors Tour at Texas World Speedway

Feb. 11, 2017, provisional results

Class: Name, Hometown and Car:
-E Production: Matt Reynolds; Fair Oaks, TX; Mazda Miata
-F Production: Kyle Baker; Angleton, TX; Mazda Miata
-Super Touring Lite: J. Roberts; Grapevine, TX; Mazda MX-5
-Super Touring Under: Luis Rivera; Angleton, TX; Mazda Miata
-Touring 4: L. Lowell Huston; Friendswood, TX; Mazda MX-5
-Spec Miata: Alex Bachoura; Houston, TX; Spec Miata
-Prototype 2: Jay Messenger; Muleshoe, TX; Carbir Mazda MX-1
-Formula Atlantic: Dave Zavelson; Star Mazda
-Formula Mazda: Moses Smith; Cresson, TX; Formula Mazda

Feb. 12, 2017, provisional results

Class: Name, Hometown and Car:|
-E Production: Matt Reynolds; Fair Oaks, TX; Mazda Miata
-Super Touring Lite: J. Roberts; Grapevine, TX; Mazda MX-5
-Super Touring Under: Luis Rivera; Angleton, TX; Mazda Miata
-Touring 4: L. Lowell Huston; Friendswood, TX; Mazda MX-5
-Spec Miata: Chris Haldeman; Frisco, TX; Spec Miata
-Prototype 2: Jay Messenger; Muleshoe, TX; Carbir Mazda MX-1
-Formula Atlantic: Dave Zavelson; Star Mazda
-Formula Mazda: Moses Smith; Cresson, TX; Formula Mazda