Top 20 Reasons to Join Spec MX-5 Challenge

Spec MX-5 Challenge presented by Toyo Tires is “THE Driver Development Series” thanks to special upfront build kit savings through January 31, 2022 + reliable & dependable car and parts + the best parity + the best contingency awards and scholarships & the best driver support in club racing.

Upfront Cost Savings – Build Kits – Now is the Best Time to Buy!

  1. 25% discount on Mazda build kits through January 31, 2022 (on all stock and competition parts from Mazda for the build)
  2. Free set of Toyo Tires RR included if build kit ordered by Jan 31, 2022 (for 50 orders; tires ship January 2022)
  3. Next 10 orders receive free Penske Racing Shocks ($2200 value)
  4. Great value on other components such as MX-5 donor car often costs circa $5K and cage by MiataCage cost $2500 with shipping

Driver Development – Geared to Assist New & Longtime Racers

  1. In-person 1:1 coaching from pros such as Tom Long, Andrew Carbonell & Chris Nunes
  2. Virtual 1:1 coaching by Mazda partner Racers360
  3. Annual webinars – Corner-by-corner analysis prior to most events; data analysis by AiM Sports; suspension 101 by Penske Racing Shocks; braking fundamentals by PAGID Racing
  4. Spec MX-5 baseline setup & shock Info (with shaker rig video) to help racers and teams out of the gate, which includes single adjustable shocks


Best Parity in Club Racing

  1. Mazda-controlled race car homologation (Vehicle Technical Specifications document)
  2. Spec MX-5 Challenge Series bolsters tech at select, unannounced events (audits)
  3. Mazda offers a sealed, turnkey engine, but not required (consult Mazda Motorsports and your nearby race shop)


Reliable & Dependable Car and Parts – Keeping You on-Track vs the Pits

  1. Starts with the NC (2006-2015) MX-5 chassis – the fun to drive and reliable, and often costs ~$5K for the donor
  2. Continued with the spec parts selected by Mazda:

 

Best Contingency Awards in Club Racing & Scholarships in Club Racing

  1. ~$200K on offer in the regular season Spec MX-5 Challenge Series from Mazda, including $5K regular season awards for Spec MX-5 Challenge Series champions + more than $100K value in contingency value from Toyo Tires on offer (min 12 race starters in SMX Challenge Series for full payout in 2021 and 9 starters required in 2022 for partial payout; as well large payouts for12 starters in SCCA STL or NASA ST5)
  2. $70K championship scholarship payouts: $30K to champ; $20K to 2nd; $10K to 3rd; $5K to Masters’ champ (45 or older by championship event), and $5K to emerging talent champ (under 23 years by time of championship event) +
  3. Automatic nominations to the MX-5 Cup Shootout for SMX Challenge regional champions (two of three 2020 MX-5 Cup Scholarship recipients, having earned $185K in the two scholarships, were 2020 Spec MX-5 Challenge competitors)


Best Driver Support in Club Racing

  1. At-track support from Mazda at many events
  2. Try-before-you-buy rental opportunities with top tier race shops such as Village Blacksmith Race Development, BlueLine Racing, Haag Performance, W2 Motorsports, Charlies Hayes Racing & many others
  3. Marketing & PR support by Spec MX-5 Challenge, LLC + Mazda & other partners
  4. Available stock parts from Mazda within the last 15 years (2006 – 2015 model years) with competition and stock parts located in several Mazda parts distribution centers around the country

All of the above delivers on perhaps the most important reason to participate – the experience of Spec MX-5 makes it simply – fun to drive!


Bonus:

  • Support by Max Papis – TBA
  • Double dip racing opportunities on any give SMX Challenge weekend with SCCA STL or NASA ST5
  • Great endurance car in WRL, AER, Lucky Dog racing, SCCA & NASA
  • Part of the NASA Teen Mazda Challenge program

Spec MX-5 Challenge presented by Toyo Tires, comprised of 2006-2015 MX-5s – THE Driver Development Series, owned by Spec MX-5 Challenge, LLC, and backed by Mazda, Penske Racing Shocks and other partners. Mazda created the spec that kicked off the 2020 race season. Growth of Spec MX-5 is a main focus for Mazda and its support. For more, see “Four Pillars” article.