Mazda Motorsports and Sports Car Club of America® are excited to announce that Toyo Tires has added a significant 2020 contingency program for SCCA® road racers competing in the Spec MX-5 (SMX) race cars. The contingency offering is backdated to May of 2020 and includes awards for select SMX vehicles competing in Super Touring® Lite (STL) races at SCCA U.S. Majors Tour® events and select SCCA regional STL races, as well as Spec MX-5 Challenge Series races.
The Toyo Tires contingency is a combination of cash and Toyo Bucks that will total $1,000 dollars for each first-place finish, $700 for second and $350 for third, along with a $250 Toyo Buck per-Challenge Series race random draw. Drivers can also earn additional Toyo Bucks by running their SMX car in the STL class, thus opening up an opportunity to win an additional $750, $375 and $175 for first through third, respectively.
Stan Chen, Toyo’s Senior Manager of Events and Sponsorship, said, “With multiple opportunities to compete over the course of a weekend, Spec MX-5 racers utilizing Toyo tires now have the chance to earn a significant amount in terms of contingency awards. Toyo is very excited to be teaming up with both Mazda and SCCA on this program for a car that is growing in popularity amongst Club racers.”
With this significant contingency program from Toyo Tires added to support already existing from Mazda, PAGID, Penske Racing Shocks and Winding Road Racing, the Spec MX-5 race car and Spec MX-5 Challenge Series is now one of the most highly-supported in terms of Club Racing contingency awards.
David Cook, Mazda Motorsports Manager of Business Development, said, “Mazda is thrilled to be partnered with Toyo and SCCA in this endeavor, and it’s great to see these two leaders come together on this partnership. Our vision is to have Spec MX-5 become a National Club Racing class in the near future. This sort of cooperation — working together for one common purpose and providing unparalleled customer support to Club racers — is necessary to make that happen.”
Spec MX-5 is a competition vehicle positioned between Spec Miata and the MX-5 Cup car. Based on the 2006-2015 Mazda Miata MX-5 (NC) chassis, the car is designed as an affordable, reliable, tech-able and fun-to-drive option for Club racers. The NC platform was selected because it allows a tightly controlled spec series consisting of relatively low-cost entry cars capable of higher performance than that of the current Spec Miata. There is over $71,000 up for grabs for SMX drivers over six marquee events in 2020, along with another approximately $75,000 for year-end championship payout, the series is an excellent choice for many club racers.
For more about the Toyo Tires contingency program available to Regional drivers, click here and for SCCA® U.S. Majors Tour®, click here.
As always, it is the responsibility of each driver to make sure they are eligible to receive any contingency awards in which they are interested.
Photo Credit: Digital Automotive Depictions
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