Mazda Prototype Lites

Series/Class:	IMSA Mazda Prototype Lites presented by Cooper Tires
Car:	Elan DP02-Mazda MZR

The Mazda Prototype Lites is the premier development series for prototype drivers and teams. The Elan Motorsports Technologies DP02 chassis is mated with the Mazda MZR engine to produce high-speed, closely contested racing. The Mazda Prototype Lites category is an important rung on the Mazda Road to 24 driver development program, and will begin its’ 11th season in 2016.

The cars are identical Elan DP02 carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, with 2.0-liter Mazda MZR power for the top category, called Lites 1. Production-based, 2.3-liter Mazda power is used for the cost-effective Lites 2 category. The chassis and engine combinations produced nimble handling in a high-downforce package that provides training for the more advanced Prototype and Prototype Challenge categories in IMSA. Because the chassis and engines are equal, the series truly allows the talented drivers to shine.

In 2015, Kenton Koch was the Mazda scholarship driver in the series (earned from winning the championship in the Idemitsu MX-5 Cup the previous season). Koch dominated the season, winning 11 of the 14 races and snaring the championship with several races remaining. Many of Koch’s records matched the 2012 season turned-in by Mazda Road to 24 success story Tristan Nunez, who used his Mazda Prototype Lites championship to vault into the Mazda Prototype program.

For more information on Mazda Prototype Lites, visit prototypelites.com