Mazda MX-5 Cup Series
Mazda’s launch of the MX-5 Cup car in 2016 was a rousing success, and the momentum continues in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Series presented by BFGoodrich® Tires as the series positions itself for the future through more robust prize funds, continued development of the MX-5 Cup car and sanctioning with International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).
Mazda will award nearly $600,000 in year-end prizes, including a $250,000 payout for the Champion. The prize package will also see the the top championship finishers earn significant payouts; the runner up driver will earn $85,000, the third-place points earner will emerge with $50,000; the Rookie-of-the-Year earns $80,000.
Mazda MX-5 Cup racers have the benefit of dedicated on-site team support at every race. This includes technical support and driver coaching as well as parts sales and service along with professional marketing and PR. There is even an option for drivers to rent a drive for a race weekend or a full season with an experienced, professional team at their disposal.
About the MX-5 Cup race car: Start as brand new, complete MX-5 road cars from the Mazda factory in Hiroshima, Japan, before being transported to engineering development partner, Flis Performance in Daytona Beach, Florida where they are transformed into a complete race car and sold. The process includes disassembly of the production car, followed by welding, paint, as well as a full roll cage and interior, and then assembly of the race car with more than 250 motorsports-specific parts. Other components of the car, including the Mazda SKYACTIV 2.0-liter engine, are sealed to ensure even competition and a cost-effective platform, as well as the SADEV Sequential 6-Speed Gearbox, which has solidified the durability of the ND2 car and elevated performance within the MX-5 Cup Series.
For the MX-5 Cup schedule and more information about the series, see MX-5Cup.com.
More Information
2016 MX-5 Racecar Tech Talk, Part 4
Glenn Long, principal of Mazda’s partner in developing the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup car, Long Road Racing, shares some of the technical highlights of the development process. In Part 4, Long talks about improvements to OEM hubs, and brake ducting.
2016 MX-5 Racecar Tech Talk, Part 3
Glenn Long, principal of Mazda’s partner in developing the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup car, Long Road Racing, shares some of the technical highlights of the development process. In Part 3, Long describes the design of the rollcage. The next generation of Mazda MX-5 Cup car that will be built and sold by Mazda will […]”
2016 MX-5 Racecar Tech Talk, Part 2
Glenn Long, principal of Mazda’s partner in developing the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup car, Long Road Racing, shares some of the technical highlights of the development process; in this video he discusses kinematics and compliance. Mazda didn’t just take a 2016 MX-5 chassis and start throwing parts at it before putting it on track […]”
2016 MX-5 Racecar Tech Talk
Glenn Long, principal of Mazda’s partner in developing the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup car, Long Road Racing, shares some of the technical highlights of the development process. The test cars of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 racecar that will form the basis of the Mazda MX-5 Cup along with the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 […]”
In Search of the Perfect 2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup Car
There are more than 392 options to find the optimal setup for 2016 MX-5 Cup racecar. Mazda rolled out a pair of engineering development models of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup racecar for testing at Mazda Raceway on Thursday. As a part of the development process, the cars will be tested in public on the […]”
2016 MX-5 Cup Prototypes Make Public Debut
Long Road Racing brings two of its test cars to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, running sessions on track with current MX-5 Cup racers. The current Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich® Tires competitors got their first close look at the test platforms for what will be the 2016 MX-5 Cup car. That car […]”
FAQs – 2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup Car and Series
THE SERIES: What is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup series? The next generation 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata will be raced in a new Global Cup series slated to be held in North America, Europe, and Asia; full details of the MX-5 Cup will be announced as they are confirmed. The series will culminate […]”
First Test: The Shakedown
The first development vehicle for the 2016 MX-5 Cup car has hit the track for some systems checks. On Tuesday, April 7, the fourth generation (ND) Mazda MX-5 race car put tire to racetrack for the first time, in its first shakedown. For those who understand the adage, Long Live the Roadster, you likely know […]”
The Build Begins
The first steps toward development of the ND MX-5 into a global spec racecar are underway, with the first public on-track test a little over a month away. The Japanese-market 2016 MX-5 is already in production, with the U.S.-spec version beginning to roll off the line in a couple of months. But development of the […]”