Download the latest brochure here, http://www.mazdaspeeddevelopment.com/pdfs/contingency/contingency.pdf

MX-5 Cup racing at Road America. Credit: Mark Weber

TOPEKA, Kan. (Jan. 10, 2009) – For its fourth season, the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup will expand to 10 rounds, making stops at some of the finest road courses in North America, as well as several new venues.

The 2009 MX-5 Cup season begins as the previous two did, as part of The Mitty Classic at Road Atlanta. MX-5 Cup will join Historic Sportscar Racing, May 1 – 3, to showcase the modern fun of MX-5 Cup alongside the classic racing machines of years past.

Two weeks later, MX-5 Cup is off to beautiful Monterey, Calif., where the series made its debut in 2006. MX-5 Cup joins the Grand-Am Rolex Series and KONI Challenge, May 15 – 17, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Monterey Festival of Speed.

A doubleheader at New Jersey Motorsports Park, in Millville, N.J., follows on June 12 – 14. The Mazda Grand Prix will bring the Mazda racing family together, as MX-5 Cup joins Star Mazda and the Atlantic Championship at the recently constructed Thunderbolt Raceway.

The halfway point of the season is marked by two tracks new to MX-5 Cup. On July 17 – 19, the series joins Grand-Am once again for the Porsche 250 weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Ala. The teams will then make a short trip north to meet up with their fellow Mazda series once again as well as the SPEED World Challenge Championships, July 24 – 26, at the Autobahn Country Club. The Mazda Grand Prix marks the first professional event at the Autobahn Country Club, which is located in Joliet, Ill., just outside of Chicago.

The MX-5 caravan won’t have to travel too far for the following round in Elkhart Lake, Wis. For the second year in-a-row, the series will take part in the combined American LeMans Series/SPEED World Challenge weekend at Road America, Aug. 14 – 16.

From one four-mile track to another, MX-5 heads to Miller Motorsports Park with Grand-Am, Sept. 18 – 20. The Tooele, Utah course has hosted a round of MX-5 Cup action in each of the series’ previous three years.

The 2009 season ends Oct. 2 – 4, with a doubleheader at scenic VIRginia International Raceway, in Alton, Va. It will be the series’ first trek to VIR, where it joins KONI Challenge.

“I couldn’t be happier with the 2009 MX-5 Cup schedule,” Mazda North American Operations Alternative Marketing Manager Jim Jordan said. “It’s the perfect mix of classic American road courses and new, exciting venues. There’s something there for everyone, which will encourage the kind of racing we’ve come to expect from this great series.”

“SCCA Pro Racing and Mazda have worked together to create a fantastic schedule for MX-5 in 2009,” SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Robert Wildberger said. “It’s great to see MX-5 heading to tracks SCCA Pro Racing has yet to venture, like Autobahn Country Club and Barber Motorsports Park. We’re proud to watch MX-5 Cup expand the SCCA Pro Racing footprint.”

With an outstanding schedule in place, all races broadcast on cable TV and the continuance of Playboy as a title sponsor, MX-5 Cup appears poised for another successful season. The Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup also remains a part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder, offering the 2009 MX-5 Cup Champion a Mazda ride in SPEED Touring Car and welcoming one amateur racer to the series via the MX-5 Cup Shootout for Mazda road racing champions.

To learn more about MX-5 Cup, visit www.mx-5cup.com.

2009 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Schedule

Date	Venue	With
May 1 - 3	Road Atlanta	HSR
	Braselton, Ga.
May 15 - 17	Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca	Grand-Am
	Monterey, Calif.
June 12 - 14	New Jersey Motorsports Park *	Atlantics/Star Mazda
	Millville, N.J.
July 17 - 19	Barber Motorsports Park	Grand-Am
	Birmingham, Ala.
July 24 - 26	Autobahn Country Club	SPEED World Challenge/Atlantics
	Joliet, Ill.
Aug. 14 - 16	Road America	ALMS/SPEED World Challenge
	Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Sept. 18 - 20	Miller Motorsports Park	Grand-Am
	Tooele, Utah
Oct. 2 - 4	VIRginia International Raceway*	KONI Challenge
	Alton, Va.

* - Doubleheader

SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup

Stepping up in place of the former Mazdaspeed Miata Cup, the Mazda MX-5 Cup made its debut in 2006. Featuring identical MX-5s on spec tires, the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup gives drivers the opportunity to run on high-profile weekends in an economical, entry-level racing series. The 2009 MX-5 Cup schedule features 10 races at prestigious events across North America, and with grids composed of roughly 30 cars at each race, MX-5 Cup has become one of the best shows in motorsports today. For more information, visit www.mx-5cup.com.

MER ES Winning MX-5

CRESSON, TX (December 15, 2008) — Team MER (Motorsport Enterprises Racing) returned to Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, CA this December to not only defend their NASA 25-Hours of Thunderhill E1 class title (3^rd overall) at the hands of drivers Charles Espenlaub, Eric Foss, Marc Miller and Jason Saini, but to take a shot at the overall title as well. The team scored big on both counts, as they brought home not only the E-1 class title for the second year in a row, but also won the race outright in their ES class Mazda MX-5 entry.

MER fielded five entries in this year’s event, four in E1 and one in ES, yet they all had one thing in common. They were all Mazda MX-5 Cup cars. The race started with the #19 ES entry 9th overall and 7th in class with the driving trio of Charlie Putnam, Saini and Espenlaub taking turns behind the wheel.  Putman started in the #19, and quickly settled into a nice rhythm. As faster cars stopped for fuel the MX-5 continued to move up the charts. Saini took over for the second stint with plans to run a double stint. In the end, the story of the race would be the #19 would pit yet continue to work it’s way back up into contention, staying within a few laps of the overall lead for much of the race.

After eight hours of racing, the event was red flagged due to fog. With the race on an indefinite delay, the teams covered the cars on the front straight and waited for updates.  Around 5AM, the race resumed with Espenlaub taking over the #19 car. With a long stop for some mechanical repairs, the team thought they might have lost a shot at victory, but with the competition also having problems with several fast cars faltering, hope was renewed. With roughly four hours remaining, the V8 powered M3 dropped out and with under 2 hours to go, the Miller Mustang went out with a problem giving the overall lead to the #19 MER ES Class car. After solid stints by all three drivers, the team took home the overall win and first in the ES class as well!

“The winning ES car is actually nothing more than an MX-5 Cup car that’s been upgraded a bit with a Koni-Challenge fuel cell and RX8 brakes, differential, axles, hubs and uprights,” said Shannon McMasters, MER team owner. “It was mounted up with very good Hoosier racing slicks on 18″ wheels and ran a completely stock MX-5 engine and transmission. The beauty of it all is each part was a standard Mazda piece ordered from MAZDASPEED.”

“What an amazing day,” said Saini. “We thought we were out of this one, but nobody gave up and we just kept on going. This result far exceeded our goals coming in and we’re just so thrilled. The Hoosier slicks gave us so much grip that we could pass anywhere. My teammates both drove flawlessly and when the car crossed the finish line first, the celebration from the team was amazing!”

That wasn’t the only celebration however as the #29 Team MER entry defended their E1 class title from the 2007 event and finished first in class and 5^th overall at the hands of Ken Dobson, Mike Harvison, Nick Mancuso and Tyler McQuarrie. The drivers put on a solid display by running among the top 3 overall for much of the last half of the race. The car also carried the www.RaceNowForAutism.org charity sponsorship to raise awareness for autism.

“I was so impressed at the preparation level of Team MER, they really were ready for this.” said Mancuso. “The car was fast and handled great and we only needed to keep it on the track. It was a great battle with the other MX-5’s and such a fun event to participate in!”

Obviously it was a special moment for the entire Team MER team and months of preparation for the event.

“I’m so proud of our crew,” said Juliann Pokorny, MER Team Manager. “We had such an amazing group consisting of not only our core crew guys, but also help from members of the Tri Point and Hypersport teams. There was some serious talent in the pits! We cannot thank Mazda, Hoosier Tire and our crew enough for such a terrific job in accomplishing what we did!”

Team MER Entry Recap in 2008:
#19 1st in ES, 1st Overall (Drivers: Charles Espenlaub, Charlie Putnam, Jason Saini)
#29 1st in E1, 5th Overall (Drivers: Ken Dobson, Mike Harvison, Nick Mancuso, Tyler McQuarrie)
#26 4th in E1, 14th Overall (Drivers: Jeremy Barnes, Tim Buck, Nathan Edmunds, Shannon McMasters)
#30 5th in E1, 17th Overall (Drivers: Mark Jenkins, Mike Jenkins, Keith Verges)
#31 6th in E1, 20th Overall (Chris Cunningham, Jeff Mosing, Christopher Rhoades, Jamey Rhoades)

Team MER is already focusing on the preparation of Mazda MX-5 Cup cars for the 2009 championship season. Testing programs are currently available throughout January and February. The team boasts an experienced staff, public relations & marketing services, design department, driver coaching and testing facility.

For more information regarding testing programs and race seats for the 2009 season, contact Shannon McMasters, Jason Saini or Marc Miller at Motorsport Enterprises Racing at 817.396.4831 or email at info@motorsportenterprisesracing.com.

About MER

Motorsport Enterprises Racing & Team MER are Leaders in Mazda Performance. With a trackside location at the original Motorsport Ranch just outside of Fort Worth, TX, MER is uniquely positioned to build, maintain, develop and store racecars for individuals looking for the utmost performance. Armed with an in-house chassis-dyno and a test track on premises, they are prepared to develop the fastest cars for any series their customers choose to compete in. In addition, MER owns and operates a fleet of Mazda6 School cars for instruction and corporate outings.

The PRR has undergone major revisions for 2009. In addition to the new
World Challenge Touring Car rules which have been reworked to cut costs
for teams, each section has undergone an extensive review by the SCCA
Pro Racing technical department to provide clear and concise language.
The book has also been re-sized to a 4.25″ by 9″ format, making it
considerably more portable.

“After years of having language added and removed, the PRR was in need of a thorough reorganizing,” SCCA Pro Racing Competition and Technical Director Ken Tripkos said. “For the 2009 edition, our tech department has done an excellent job eradicating duplicate or conflicting language, and has restructured each section, making it easier to find what you are looking for. We feel the book is more cohesive and the new size also makes it more convenient.”

The 2009 PRR can be found online at www.sccapro.com. Hard copies will be available in early December.

About SCCA Pro Racing

A wholly owned subsidiary of Sports Car Club of America, Inc., SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. is a leading sanctioning body for motor sports events in the United States. A member of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), SCCA Pro Racing operates and sanctions the SCCA World Challenge Championships, the SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, as well as provides sanctioning and various operational services for other racing series. For more information, please visit www.sccapro.com.

MONTEREY, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2008) - Christian Franck, of Simi Valley, Calif., survived a thrilling SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to earn his first-ever race win. Todd Buras, of Melbourne, Fla., and Robert Huffmaster, of Clarkston, Mich., completed the podium. Finishing fourth, Eric Foss, of Fort Worth, Texas, claimed the 2008 Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship.

Franck’s wild ride began on the start, as he immediately shot past Huffmaster for fourth and found himself at the tail end of a four-car battle for the lead. Ahead of Franck, polesitter Foss was doing his best to hold off Brad Rampelberg and Buras. The constant side-by-side action in front of him allowed Franck to pick his spots, motoring past Buras on lap five and stealing second from Rampelberg a lap later.

After a quick back-and-forth with Rampelberg’s No. 14 Hooverspeed/Mazda MX-5, Franck’s radar was set on then-leader Foss. While in pursuit of the No. 28 Team MER/Autobarn Mazda MX-5, Franck set the Hawk Hot Lap of the race, turning a 1:41.731 (79.197 mph) on lap 10, a new race lap record.

On lap 12, Franck made his move, pulling alongside Foss in Turn Two, but Foss had the right line for Turn Three and held his lead. Foss couldn’t hold off Franck’s No. 16 Alara Racing MX-5 in Turn Five though, where Franck took a solid hold on the race lead for the first time.

“I got a pretty good start,” Franck said. “I moved up to fourth right away. I just sat there and tried to be patient and let everything work itself out for a few laps. I ended up just waiting and waiting and I finally got the lead.”

His mirrors filled with Rampelberg’s nose for three-consecutive laps straight, Franck would eventually make a mistake, sliding off course briefly at Turn 11 and falling to third behind Rampelberg and Foss.

Winning a race often involves a bit of luck, and that’s exactly what came Franck’s way shortly after his off. Not only did Foss spin in the Corkscrew on the following lap putting Franck in second, but a full-course caution came out on lap 18 for the No. 23 Team MER/Loth Endodontics MX-5, which had spun into the gravel at Turn Three.

On the lap 21 restart, Franck grabbed the lead from Rampelberg in Turn Five, only to have Rampelberg pull the same move on the following lap to retake the spot.

“I was very happy to see the caution,” Franck said with a smile. “I was just a little worried about Todd Buras behind me. I figured he’d try to pass, but I was able to get by Rampelberg.”
Race officials had taken issue with contact Rampelberg made with Franck in-between the lead exchange, and as the pair crossed the start-finish line to begin lap 24 of the 25-lap, 55.95-mile race, a black flag was displayed for Rampelberg.

While the white flag waved for Franck, Rampelberg hit pit lane. Keeping his focus, Franck carefully navigated the final 2.238 miles of the 11-turn course and crossed the finish line 1.269 seconds ahead of Buras. Seventeen year-old Franck became the fifth different winner of the 2008 MX-5 Cup season.

“I thought I threw it away in Turn 11,” recalled Franck. “I just had a little hiccup, but I picked it back up because of the full-course caution and here I am now, the winner. I kept telling myself to keep calm and keep consistent and not worry about the guys behind me.

“After missing the last two races, I wanted to get a podium finish and I’m very happy to take the win.”

Though he finished second in the No. 56 pancreaticcure.org MX-5 Cup, Buras spend much of the race fighting for the third and fourth, which gave him one of the best seats in the house.

“The racing was unbelievable in front of me,” Buras said. “I had a great view of the racing. It’s going to make for great TV.”

The full-course yellow was just as beneficial for Buras as it was for Franck.

“It was fantastic to see the yellow come out. Early in the race, I couldn’t get the car into a gear. I tried several gears and it just wouldn’t do anything and then, all of a sudden, it just went into third. I’ve never had that happen.”

The only driver with a mathematical shot at beating Foss for the Championship, Buras needed to win at Mazda Raceway coupled with a Foss DNF to overtake him. When Buras witnessed Foss’ spin in the Corkscrew, which handed him third on lap 17, he began to wonder if the Title was still a possibility.

“When I saw Eric spin in the corkscrew, I thought ‘I wonder where we are in the points right now? Maybe he’ll get stuck in the gravel or blow up a tranny or something.’ If he would have fallen out, then I probably would have tried a little harder for the first place finish. But, it didn’t happen. Eric’s done a great job all year. So, for me, it was second place again.”

After dropping a spot to Franck on the start, Huffmaster began a lengthy battle with Eric Curran’s No. 30 Hale Motorsports/Whelen Motorsports MX-5 for the fifth position.

“Eric Curran and I were running about the same pace,” Huffmaster said. “We had a little battle–a little contact. I talked to him after the race and know he didn’t do anything intentionally. It was a little frustrating at the moment but we got through it and we’re okay. We had a good battle later on in the race too. It was a lot of fun.

“The full course yellow was a huge, huge break,” Huffmaster added. “I knew Todd was right up there and we’re fighting for second in points. I figured it would give me a shot at him at least to try to pass him and maybe pick up the runner-up position.”

Passing Foss shortly after the restart and picking up an additional spot when Rampelberg hit pit lane for his penalty, Huffmaster’s No. 27 Team MER/Huffmaster Co. MX-5 took the checkered flag in third, which is also where we ended the season in the point standings.

Foss may have just missed the podium, despite leading the first 11 laps, but a fourth-place finish was enough to secure the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Foss, who also won the SCCA Spec Miata Championship last week at the Runoffs® said.  “It’s been an amazing week. Team MER and Autobarn Mazda have just been great all year. I can’t than them enough. My teammates are just awesome. They helped me all year long.

“I was pushing really hard early. I really wanted to win here. I thought it would be a great way to cap off the year. But, I made a couple mistakes. The car was great, but I probably pushed too hard. Later in the race, I changed my mentality a little bit to be safe with the Championship in mind.”

As the 2008 MX-5 Cup Champion, Foss has earned himself an SCCA Pro Racing SPEED Touring Car ride with Mazda next season.

“This is an amazing opportunity, to be able to race here and win the Championship and everything that it brings,” Foss beemed.

Buras trailed Foss by 56 points in the final Championship standings (462 to 406). Huffmaster was third with 399 points, followed by Ryan Schimsk (308 points) and Ara Malkhassian (371 points).

SCCA SPEED GT driver Curran, of East Hampton, Mass., finished his first MX-5 Cup race fifth. He was followed across the line by Californian Ara Malkhassina, from Sonoma.

Mark Jenkins and Brad McAllister were seventh and eighth, respectively.

Ryan Schimsk recovered from an early run-in with the Turn Eight wall to finish ninth.

Barry Fromberg completed the top 10.

The SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup finale will air on DirecTV, Dish Network and regional cable sports networks the week of November 10. Check www.mx-5cup.com for broadcast times as well as full results from the 2008 season.

MONTEREY, Calif. - Results from Sunday’s 25-lap, 55.95-mile SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Round Eight race, part of the 2008 Monterey Sports Car Championship Presented by Patron at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, with finishing position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown,  car, laps and reason out (if any).
1. (5), Christian Franck, Simi Valley, Calif., MX-5, 25.
2. (2), Todd Buras, Melbourne, Fla., MX-5, 25, -1.269.
3. (4), Robert Huffmaster, Clarkston, Mich., MX-5, 25, -1.595.
4. (1), Eric Foss, Fort Worth, Texas, MX-5, 25, -2.072.
5. (9), Eric Curran, E. Hampton, Mass., MX-5, 25, -2.807.
6. (7), Ara Malkhassian, Sonoma, Calif., MX-5, 25, -3.532.
7. (8), Mark Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, MX-5, 25, -4.205.
8. (13), Brad McAllister, Portland, Ore., MX-5, 25, -5.340.
9. (3), Ryan Schimsk, Austin, Texas, MX-5, 25, -9.539.
10. (14), Barry Fromberg, Plano, Texas, MX-5, 25, -16.991.
11. (15), Harrison Williams, Houston, Texas, MX-5, 25, -15.545.
12. (21), James Rhoades, Dallas, Texas, MX-5, 25, -17.701.
13. (19), Donald Barnes, Chapel Hill, N.C., MX-5, 25, -16.217.
14. (24), Tim Probert, Houston, Texas, MX-5, 25, -21.730.
15. (26), Randy Hale_III, Haddam, Conn., MX-5, 25, -22.797.
16. (17), Steve Bottom, Newport Beach, Calif., MX-5, 25, -24.309.
17. (23), Laura Olson, Costa Mesa, Calif., MX-5, 25, -24.913.
18. (20), Christopher Rhoades, Dallas, Texas, MX-5, 25, -22.006.
19. (22), Brad Adams, New Orleans, La., MX-5, 25, -26.688.
20. (27), Sonny Whelen, Old Saybrook, Conn., MX-5, 25, -34.379.
21. (18), Forest Barber, Fort Worth, Texas, MX-5, 25, -26.105.
22. (16), Alison Malkhassian, Sonoma, Calif., MX-5, 25, -37.610.
23. (6), Brad Rampelberg, San Jose, Calif., MX-5, 24, -1 lap.
24. (10), Bobby Carter, Brentwood, Calif., MX-5, 22, -3 laps.
25. (25), Kim Ouye, Montery, Calif., MX-5, 22, -3 laps.
26. (12), Deborah Loth, Fort Worth, Texas, MX-5, 19, Crash.
27. (29), Kenny Kun Yin, Los Angeles, Calif., MX-5, 24, -1 lap.
28. (28), Carlos Tesler-Mabe, Vancouver, British Columbia, MX-5, 0, Crash.
29. (11), Robert Michaelian, Seal Beach, Calif., MX-5, 25, -6.578.

Time of race: 45 minutes, 0.115 seconds.
Average speed: 74.596 mph
Margin of victory: 1.269 Seconds
Lap leaders: Laps 1-11, #28 Eric Foss; laps 12-15, #16 Christian Franck; laps 16-20, #14 Brad Rampelberg; laps 21-21, #16 Christian Franck; laps 22-22, #14 Brad Rampelberg; laps 23-25, #16 Christian Franck
Hawk Hot Lap: #16 Christian Franck, 1:41.731 (79.197 mph)
Fastest qualifier: #28 Eric Foss, 1:41.184 (79.625 mph)
Cautions: One caution for three laps
Notes:
#19 Disqualified, Underweight
#00 2 position penalty - Pass Under yellow
#06 3 Position penalty, 2 race probation - Avoidable contact
#24 2 Position penalty - Pass Under yellow
#29 3 Position penalty - Avoidable contact
#59 3 position penalty - Avoidable contact

Final SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Point Standings
Pos., Driver, Points (Wins)
1, Eric Foss, 462 (2)
2, Todd Buras, 406
3, Robert Huffmaster, 399 (2)
4, Ryan Schimsk, 379 (1)
5, Ara Malkhassian, 371
6, Brad Rampelberg, 329 (2)
7, Christian Franck, 273 (1)
8, Robert Michaelian, 267
9, Randy Hale III, 228
10, Harrison Williams, 228
Note: Tie for ninth broken by highest race finish

MILLVILLE, N.J. (Sept. 28, 2008) - Robert Huffmaster, of Clarkston, Mich., captured his second MX-5 Cup victory on a damp, but drying Thunderbolt Raceway at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Teammates Eric Foss, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Ryan Schimsk, of Austin, Texas, completed the Team MER podium sweep for Round Seven of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup.

Starting from his first MX-5 Cup pole, Huffmaster led the field into
Turn One at the 14-turn, 2.17-mile course with teammate Foss in tow.
The pair immediately worked together to pull a gap on then third-place
Ara Malkhassian in the No. 11 Alara Racing MX-5. Behind them, Round Six
winner Brad Rampelberg was on a charge, swiftly making his way past
Malkhassian and erasing the MER teammates’ lead in a matter of three
laps. Only one lap later, Rampelberg was around Foss for second place
in Turn Seven.

For the next two laps, Rampelberg’s No. 14 Team
MER/Mazda/Patron Tequila MX-5 filled the mirrors of Huffmaster’s No. 27
Team MER/Huffmaster Co. MX-5. On lap six, Rampelberg, who started
fifth, pulled to the inside of Huffmaster at the end of the front
straight, taking over the lead in Turn One.

“I sat on the pole
and the start was clean through One,” Huffmaster said. “I led the first
few laps and then Rampelberg was coming up behind us and worked his way
past. Eric had an opportunity to pass me multiple times, but we’re
looking at the big picture just to keep the team up there.

“[The
track] was damp. It was better than practice, but off line it was damp
and the car would just get a little out of control, so you just had to
be on it.”

Rampelberg, Huffmaster and Foss continued to run
nose-to-tail, until lap 11, when Foss bobbled. Remaining third, but
losing the draft of the leaders, the race became a two-car fight
between Rampelberg and Huffmaster.

Though Huffmaster had
Rampelberg’s bumper covered, the Mosport race winner would not have to
strategize long for a passing opportunity. On lap 15, Rampelberg’s
gearbox began to falter, allowing Huffmaster to breeze past with ease
entering Turn One. As Rampelberg continued to fall back, Huffmaster
only needed to keep his No. 27 Team MER/Huffmaster Co. MX-5 on the
track for the remainder of the 29-lap, 62.93-mile race to earn his
second MX-5 Cup victory of the season by 2.301 seconds.

Huffmaster
also earned the Hawk Hot Lap en route to leading Team MER to a podium
sweep, clocking a 1:32.655 (84.312 mph) during the closing stages of
the race.

“This is awesome,” Huffmaster smiled. “I think all
year we’ve shown the capabilities. We just haven’t been able to [finish
one-two-three]. It didn’t work out the way we thought it would,
starting one-two-three we thought we could just pull out and get away,
but it worked out, so it’s great.”

On lap 16, Foss caught the ailing Rampelberg and moved into second.

“Rob
and I had a great start,” Foss said. “We were able to get away a little
bit. About lap seven, I made a little mistake and lost the draft to
Rob. I dropped back five or six seconds. Rob was up there driving a
great race and I think wondering what I was doing behind him. We kind
of got in a little battle at the end of the race as far as lap times.
We were talking about it on the radio to see who could have the best
lap time.”

The runner-up finish was Foss’ sixth podium finish of
the season and further enhanced his lead in the Drivers’ Championship
heading to the season finale, Oct. 17 - 19, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

“The
Autobarn Mazda was just great this weekend. I have to thank my
teammates for all their help. They’ve been great. Without them, I
wouldn’t be in the position I am in the Championship this year. I think
I basically just need to start at Laguna and that will pretty much seal
the deal. Still have to make it one more round, so I’m not going to do
anything crazy between now and then.”

Though he fell back early
following a poor start, Schismk was able to keep his focus on the
ever-changing course conditions and avoid the off-course excursions
suffered by competitors ahead of him.

“I didn’t get the greatest
start,” Schimsk said. “Turn One is very narrow and you have so many
cars of equal pace running into that turn, I just got shuffled back. I
did my best to put my head down and put my laps in. Several people made
mistakes and I was able to move back up and that’s the name of the
game. In slippery conditions like this, mistakes will cost you. I tried
not to make mistakes and just drive my own race.”

Schimsk, too,
was able to capitalize on Rampelberg’s gearbox woes, and claimed the
final podium spot in the closing laps of the race. The spot completed a
Team MER one-two-three finish, reinstating the trio’s qualifying order.

“I
think this has been a long time coming,” added Schimsk. “We’ve had the
speed all year long to have a one-two-three podium. We expected
something like this to happen at some point. We all work well together.”

Stuck
in fourth gear, Rampelberg was able to bring his car home in fourth,
but was later disqualified when his car did not pass post-race
technical inspection. The exclusion drops Rampelberg to sixth in the
Driver’s Championship, which Foss now leads by 58 points over Buras.
Huffmaster is now in third, only six points behind Buras.

Rampelberg’s
disqualification moved Ara Malkhassian, of Sonoma, Calif., to fourth in
the No. 11 Alara Racing MX-5 and Mark Jenkins to a career-high fifth in
the No. 25 Team MER/Jenkins Bros/Traxxas MX-5.

He had a hard
time keeping his MX-5 on course, but Buras ended the day sixth. Robert
Michaelian, Randy Hale III, Brian Audet and Tim Probert completed the
top 10.

Round Seven of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5
Cup will air on DIRECTV, Dish Network and regional cable networks the
week of Oct. 27.  Check your local listings or the MX-5 Cup Web site
for broadcast times. Following the initial broadcast the race will be
posted on the MX-5 Cup YouTube channel, found at
www.youtube.com/mazdamx5cup.
The MX-5 Cup season finale heads to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Oct. 17 - 19. For more information visit www.mx-5cup.com

MILLVILLE,
N.J. - Results from Sunday’s 29-lap, 62.93-mile SCCA Pro Racing Playboy
MX-5 Cup Round Seven race at Thunderbolt Raceway, with finishing
position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown,  car,
laps, distance behind winner and reason out (if any).

1. (1), Robert Huffmaster, Clarkston, Mich., MX-5, 29.

2. (2), Eric Foss, Fort Worth, Texas, MX-5, 29, -2.301.

3. (3), Ryan Schimsk, Austin, Texas, MX-5, 29, -18.923.

4. (4), Ara Malkhassian, Sonoma, Calif., MX-5, 29, -56.878.

5. (9), Mark Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, MX-5, 29, -1:04.874.

6. (6), Todd Buras, Melbourne, Fla., MX-5, 29, -1:05.324.

7. (8), Robert Michaelian, Seal Beach, Calif., MX-5, 29, -1:24.949.

8. (10), Randy Hale III, Haddam, Conn., MX-5, 29, -1:26.366.

9. (12), Brian Audet, Alexandria, Va., MX-5, 29, -1:34.589.

10. (11), Tim Probert, Houston, Texas, MX-5, 29, -1:58.196.

11. (13), Brad Adams, New Orleans, La., MX-5, 28, -1 lap.

12. (14), Laura Olson, Costa Mesa, Calif., MX-5, 28, -1 lap.

13. (7), Mike Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, MX-5, 28, -1 lap.

14. (15), Alison Malkhassian, Sonoma, Calif., MX-5, 28, -1 lap.

DQ (5), Brad Rampelberg, San Jose, Calif., MX-5, 29, -23.357.

Time of race: 45 minutes, 42.563 seconds.

Average speed: 82.604 mph

Margin of victory: 2.301 Seconds

Lap leaders: Laps 1-29, #27 Robert Huffmaster

Hawk Hot Lap: #27 Robert Huffmaster, 1:32.655 (84.312 mph)

Fastest qualifier: #27 Robert Huffmaster, 1:32.001 (84.912 mph)

Cautions: None

Notes: #14 Rampelberg disqualified for a non-compliant engine component

SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Drivers’ Championship Standings After Seven of Eight races

Pos., Driver, Points (wins)

1, Eric Foss, 407 (2)

2, Todd Buras, 349

3, Robert Huffmaster, 345 (2)

4, Ryan Schimsk, 339 (1)

5, Ara Malkhassian, 324

6, Brad Rampelberg, 309 (2)

7, Robert Michaelian, 267

8, Christian Franck, 211

9, Deborah Loth, 210

10, Elivan Goulart, 202

1 of 8

2 of 8

3 of 8

4 of 8

5 of 8

6 of 8

7 of 8

8 of 8

As the MX-5 Cup field flashed under the green flag, polesitter Rampelberg was under attack on all sides. As his No. 14 Hooverspeed/Mazda Patron Tequila MX-5 dropped back as far as seventh in the highly competitive field, second-place starter Huffmaster blasted into the lead.

“I have no idea what happened,” Rampelberg said. “In my mind I had the concept of what we were going to do: we were going to roll up there in third gear, they were going to throw the green flag and we’d be fine. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t miss a shift, I didn’t do anything.”

Huffmaster and teammate Ryan Schimsk quickly pulled away from the field on the opening lap, but a full-course caution to remove the No. 39 Wired Motorsports/ACE Surgical MX-5 of Brad McAllister from Turn Five wiped out the duo’s advantage. It was a fortuitous yellow flag for Rampelberg though, who had already climbed to fourth before the yellow came out and now had a chance once again challenge for the win.

On the lap-three restart, Malkhassian immediately made his way around Schimsk and set his sights on the leader, leaving Schimsk to hold off a charging Rampelberg. While initially Schimsk and Rampelberg worked together to keep pace with the leaders, it wasn’t long before someone made a move for position.

“[Huffmaster and Malkhassian] got out early and Ryan and I were working together and caught back up,” recalled Rampelberg. “In Five, I gave [Schimsk] the signal that I wanted to lead, so I went underneath him in Turn Five, but he decided that wasn’t what he wanted to do and he actually tried to pick up two spots in that turn. Rob got the worst of that.”

Contact between Schimsk and Huffmaster made it a two-car race for the win between Rampelberg and then leader Malkhassian.

“From there I put my head down and I thought Ara and I worked really well together,” Rampelberg said. “The temperatures on my car were coming up, so I wanted to lead a little bit. Ara raced me hard and fair. When I got into the lead I just put my foot down and the car felt really good.”

Malkhassian kept pace with Rampelberg for several laps around the 24-turn, 4.486-mile course, but as Rampelberg pulled out of drafting range, Malkhassian became ensnarled in another battle for the remaining podium spots. Rampelberg cruised to the checkered flag and his second win of the season by 4.320 seconds. It was a much needed boost for Rampelberg and the Hooverspeed team after a crash in the previous round at Trois-Rivières.

“After Trois-Rivières the car was pretty torn up. Jason [Hoover] and the Hooverspeed guys did a great job putting the car back together. It rolled off the truck this weekend perfect. We came away with another win, so we’re pretty lucky.”

The win moved Rampelberg to second in the MX-5 Cup Championship, 42 points behind Eric Foss and six ahead of teammate Todd Buras, whose race at Miller Motorsports Park was thwarted by a flat tire.

Finishing second, Huffmaster’s start was everything Rampelberg’s wasn’t, enabling him to lead the first five laps of the 12-lap, 53.832-mile race.

“The start went really good,” Huffmaster said. “Right when I shifted to third and got on the throttle the green came out. That gave me a little bit of a jump on Brad and then I had my teammate behind me helping me out though Turn One. After that I was just hoping I could run some clean laps and lead a few laps, but then the double yellow came out. I led a few laps after that, but Ara was right there and got around me in Turn One. I was thinking I was going to settle back in and just stay in the draft. Unfortunately, there was a bit of contact in Turn Six between me and my teammate [Schimsk], nothing intentional, but it was unfortunate.”

Following the contact, it appeared a fourth-place finish would be the best Huffmaster could hope for on the day, but a late-race incident promoted the No. 27 Team MER/Huffmaster Co. MX-5 driver to second.

“Ryan and Ara went two-by-two going through 12 and 13, and that caught me right back up to them. It looked like Ryan got a little optimistic, went in too hard and Ara was right there. It’s unfortunate for both of them, but being selfish I’m happy with it because I think I could have been up there.

“Overall it was a great weekend. I feel bad for the team not bringing home a victory, because the car was great.”

Even more disappointed was Malkhassian who saw a runner-up finish slip through his hands on the final lap. After a fantastic start from seventh position and leading two laps of the race, Malkhassian had already resigned himself to a second-place finish before the incident with Schimsk.

“I had a great start,” Malkhassian said. “I went from seventh to third on the first lap. I picked up one more position the lap after that and it looked like Robert and I were going to be able to break away from the whole universe and get away from it all, but the double yellow conspired against us.

“We got back into the swing, but we had four or five guys challenging us again. We had some incidents behind us and it ended up being Brad and I that broke away. I didn’t want to fight Brad, he was looking really racey, so I kind of gave him an easy pass and tucked in behind him.”

“It was a classic, ‘young guy tries to make a big move on the last lap,’” Malkhassian said of the incident with Schimsk. “It gave a nice guy a second-place finish, but it took away my second place. It was a poor move and I’m really disappointed.”

Race officials agreed with Malkhassian’s assessment, penalizing Schimsk five positions, not only for the contact with Malkhassian’s No. 11 Alara Racing MX-5, but for the contact with Huffmaster as well.

The penalty promoted point leader Foss, of Fort Worth, Texas, to fourth in the No. 28 Team MER/Autobarn Mazda MX-5.  Mike Jenkins, of Fairview, Texas, completed the top five in the No. 47 Team MER/Jenkins Bros./Traxxas MX-5, his best career finish.

Mark Jenkins followed his brother across the line in sixth, tying his best-ever finish.

Malkhassian’s wife Alison, who made her MX-5 Cup debut at Miller Motorsports Park last year, also earned a career-best result, finishing seventh.

In his MX-5 Cup debut, Tim Buck finished eighth.

Following his penalty and a three-position penalty for Robert Michaelian who was also deemed guilty of avoidable body contact, Schimsk ended up ninth on the final results.

Harrison Williams completed the top 10.

Round Six of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship will air on DIRECTV, Dish Network and regional cable sports networks the week of October 13. Visit www.mx-5cup.com for broadcast times.

Round Seven is only a week away, Sept. 26 - 28, at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Live timing and lap notes will be available throughout the weekend at www.mx-5cup.com

TOOELE, Utah - Results from Saturday’s 12-lap, 53.832 mile SCCA Pro Racing SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Round Six race, part of the SunRichGourmet.com 1000 Presented by the Grand and Little America Hotels at Miller Motorsports Park, with finishing position, starting position in parentheses,

Driver, Hometown,  Car, Laps and Reason out (if any).

1. (1), Brad Rampelberg, San Jose, Calif., MX-5, 12.

2. (2), Robert Huffmaster, Clarkston, Mich., MX-5, 12, -4.320.

3. (7), Ara Malkhassian, Sonoma, Calif., MX-5, 12, -11.961.

4. (3), Eric Foss, Fort Worth, Texas, MX-5, 12, -18.982.

5. (9), Mike Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, MX-5, 12, -19.868.

6. (8), Mark Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, MX-5, 12, -27.976.

7. (14), Alison Malkhassian., Sonoma, Calif., MX-5, 12, -35.909.

8. (16), Tim Buck, Murrietta, Calif., MX-5, 12, -38.380.

9. (4), Ryan Schimsk, Austin, Texas, MX-5, 12, -13.693.

10. (15), Harrison Williams, Houston, Texas, MX-5, 12, -39.388.

11. (11), Robert Michaelian, Seal Beach, Calif., MX-5, 12, -33.271.

12. (13), Tim Probert, Houston, Texas, MX-5, 12, -46.495.

13. (20), Brad Adams, New Orleans, La., MX-5, 12, -58.254.

14. (10), Deborah Loth, Fort Worth, Texas, MX-5, 12, -1:09.842.

15. (19), Steve Bottom, Newport Beach, Calif., MX-5, 12, -1:10.936.

16. (17), James Rhoades, Dallas, Texas, MX-5, 12, -1:38.883.

17. (22), Kenny Kun Yin, Los Angeles, Calif., MX-5, 12, -2:18.012.

18. (5), Todd Buras, Melbourne, Fla., MX-5, 12, -2:33.018.

19. (18), Christopher Rhoades, Dallas, Texas, MX-5, 12, -2:53.606.

20. (21), Laura Olson, Costa Mesa, Calif., MX-5, 10, -2 laps.

21. (6), Brad McAllister, Portland, Ore., MX-5, 10, -2 laps.

22. (12), Scott Tucker, Leewood, Kansas, MX-5, 12, -33.619.

Time of race: 42 minutes, 47.857 seconds.

Average speed: 75.469 mph

Margin of victory: 4.320 Seconds

Lap leaders: Laps 1-5, #27 Robert Huffmaster; laps 6-7, #11 Ara Malkhassian; laps 8-12, #14 Brad Rampelberg

Hawk Hot Lap: #81 Ryan Schimsk, 3:21.372 (80.197 mph)

Fastest qualifier: #14 Brad Rampelberg, 3:19.945 (80.770 mph)

Cautions: One for two laps

Notes:

#81 Schimsk penalized five positions for two instances of avoidable body contact

#19 Michaelian penalized three positions for avoidable body contact

#30 disqualified in post-race technical inspection, underweight
SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Point Standings

Top 10 After Six of Eight Rounds

Pos., Driver, Points (Wins)

1, Eric Foss, 350 (2)

2, Brad Rampelberg, 308 (2)

3, Todd Buras, 302

4, Ryan Schimsk, 285 (1)

5, Robert Huffmaster, 281 (1)

6, Ara Malkhassian, 272

7, Robert Michaelian, 222

8, Christian Franck, 211

9, Deborah Loth, 177

10, Elivan Goulart, 202

Making his first visit to North America’s longest road course, Rampelberg instantly found his groove, setting the fastest time in morning practice and second-fastest time in the afternoon session. The 2007 SCCA Spec Miata National Champion and winner of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder MX-5 Cup shootout felt he thrived on the course’s flowing, high-speed corners.

“I’d never seen Miller Motorsports Park until yesterday,” Rampelberg said. “I think it’s awesome. This track fits me perfectly. It’s got a lot of sweeping corners and trail braking, and that happens to fit my style. It has a lot of high-speed stuff and I love the high-speed stuff for sure.”

Loving every bit of the 4.486-mile, 24-turn course, Rampelberg set a pole time of 3:19.945 (80.770 mph) in the No. 14 Hooverspeed/Mazda/Patron Tequila MX-5, with a little drafting help from teammate Todd Buras. Rampelberg is aiming for a perfect race on Saturday, as he attempts to make up Championship ground lost to Foss and Buras at Trois-Rivières.

“I’m really excited. Obviously Eric [Foss] and Todd are one-two in the Championship and I sort of fell back [following a crash at Trois-Rivières]. I’m happy to still be racing up there with those guys and running up front. I couldn’t have done this without my teammate though. This is a team sport, and with the draft and the way the wind was coming up the front straightaway, Todd really helped me out and got that lap for me.”

“There are so many corners here that no one corner is the most important corner. I guess if you screw up one corner you have 23 more to make it up, but it’s such a flowing course that once you get into a rhythm, you’ll be hitting all your marks.”

Mosport race winner Huffmaster will start Saturday’s race from second in the No. 27 Team MER/Huffmaster Co. MX-5. After setting the fastest practice time of the day in the afternoon session, Huffmaster entered a lap of 3:20.439 (80.571 mph) and will start on the outside of the front row.

Point leader Eric Foss, of Fort Worth, Texas, turned a fast lap of 3:20.536 (80.532 mph) in the No. 28 Team MER/Autobarn Mazda MX-5, which was good enough for third on the grid. Foss’ teammate Ryan Schimsk, of Austin, Texas, will start alongside him in the No. 81 Team MER/Airco Mechanical MX-5. Schimsk turned a lap of 3:20.699 (80.466 mph) to qualify fourth.

Currently chasing Foss in the Championship, Buras, from Melbourne, Fla., will start Saturday’s race fifth. Driving the No. 56 Hooverspeed/Pancreaticcure.org MX-5, Buras recorded a 3:20.702 (80.465 mph).

Returning to the series after missing Rounds Four and Five, Brad McAllister will start sixth, followed by Ara Malkhassian in seventh.

Brothers Mark and Mike Jensen qualified eighth and ninth, respectively.

Deborah Loth completed the top 10.

Round Six of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup is scheduled for 9:55 a.m. (MDT) Saturday morning. Live timing and lap notes will be available at www.mx-5cup.com. The race will air on Dish Network, DIRECTV and regional cable sports networks the week of Oct. 13.

TOOELE, Utah - Starting lineup for Saturday’s SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup race, part of the SunRichGourmet.com 1000 Presented by the Grand and Little America Hotels at Miller Motorsports Park, with position, car number in parentheses, driver, hometown, car, fastest lap time, and speed in miles per hour.

1, (14), Brad Rampelberg, San Jose, Calif., MX-5, 3:19.945, 80.770.

2, (27), Robert Huffmaster, Clarkston, Mich., MX-5, 3:20.439, 80.571.

3, (28), Eric Foss, Fort Worth, Texas, MX-5, 3:20.536, 80.532.

4, (81), Ryan Schimsk, Austin, Texas, MX-5, 3:20.699, 80.466.

5, (56), Todd Buras, Melbourne, Fla., MX-5, 3:20.702, 80.465.

6, (39), Brad McAllister, Portland, Ore., MX-5, 3:21.116, 80.300.

7, (11), Ara Malkhassian, Sonoma, Calif., MX-5, 3:21.301, 80.226.

8, (25), Mark Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, MX-5, 3:22.298, 79.830.

9, (47), Mike Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, MX-5, 3:22.452, 79.770.

10, (23), Deborah Loth, Fort Worth, Texas, MX-5, 3:22.598, 79.712.

11, (19), Robert Michaelian, Seal Beach, Calif., MX-5, 3:22.879, 79.602.

12, (30), Scott Tucker, Leewood, Kansas, MX-5, 3:23.081, 79.523.

13, (26), Tim Probert, Houston, Texas, MX-5, 3:23.278, 79.445.

14, (12), Alison Malkhassian., Sonoma, Calif., MX-5, 3:23.387, 79.403.

15, (00), Harrison Williams, Houston, Texas, MX-5, 3:23.423, 79.389.

16, (18), Tim Buck, Murrietta, Calif., MX-5, 3:24.160, 79.102.

17, (58), James Rhoades, Dallas, Texas, MX-5, 3:25.188, 78.706.

18, (59), Christopher Rhoades, Dallas, Texas, MX-5, 3:25.399, 78.625.

19, (44), Steve Bottom, Newport Beach, Calif., MX-5, 3:25.830, 78.460.

20, (54), Brad Adams, New Orleans, La., MX-5, 3:25.986, 78.401.

21, (22), Laura Olson, Costa Mesa, Calif., MX-5, 3:26.946, 78.037.

22, (06), Kenny Kun Yin, Los Angeles, Calif., MX-5, 3:30.381, 76.763.

SCCA Pro Racing’s relationship with Mazda’s spec series based around the iconic Miata convertible began in 2002, when SCCA Pro Racing sanctioned seven stand-alone Miata Cup events. The affiliation continued as the Miata Cup developed into a full-fledged championship series from 2003 to 2005 and was reinvented once again in 2006 as the MX-5 Cup with the new MX-5 Miata and a single-championship format.

“We are very proud to continue our strong partnership with Mazda and the MX-5 Cup program,” SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Robert Wildberger said. “We’ve demonstrated that we operate this highly competitive series fairly and efficiently. Our talented staff cannot be given enough credit for that. The Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup program is an important part of the SCCA Pro Racing portfolio and will contribute to our company’s continued growth in the industry.”

In its first three seasons, MX-5 Cup has flourished. The MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder has successfully bridged the gap from SCCA Club Racing to SCCA Pro Racing by selecting talented Club racers to promote to MX-5 Cup and awarding the MX-5 Cup Champion with an SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car ride.  Additionally, Mazda’s recent partnership with Playboy Enterprises has produced exciting new promotional and broadcast opportunities.

“In just three years, MX-5 Cup has established itself as one of the best talent showcases in all of sports car racing - the success of Jim Daniels and Jason Saini in the SPEED World Challenge and Andrew Caddell in the Miller Mustang series being solid proof,” Mazda North American Operations Alternative Marketing Manager Jim Jordan said.  “Our first MX-5 Cup race of 2008 saw a series-record grid size of 31 cars, and given the excellent partnership with Playboy and our one-hour per race TV broadcasts, we have a great future for the series.  We’re pleased that we are able to extend our relationship with SCCA Pro Racing for another three years.”

There are currently three rounds remaining in the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. Round Six of the eight-race series will take place Sept. 19 - 20, at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. Round Seven follows, Sept. 26 - 28, at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J. The 2008 season finale will take place where MX-5 Cup was born, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Oct. 17 - 19.

All 2008 MX-5 Cup races are aired on select DirecTV, Dish Network and regional cable stations in a one-hour, tape delayed format. All races are also posted on the MX-5 Cup YouTube channel following their TV debut and can be found at www.youtube.com/mazdamx5cup.

About SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup:
Stepping up in place of the former MAZDASPEED Miata Cup, the SCCA Pro Racing Mazda MX-5 Cup made its debut in 2006. Featuring identical Mazda MX-5s on spec Kumho tires, MX-5 Cup gives drivers the opportunity to run on high-profile weekends in an economical, entry-level racing series. The 2008 MX-5 Cup schedule features eight races at prestigious events across North America, and with grids composed of roughly 30 cars at each race, MX-5 Cup has become one of the best shows in motorsports today.  The season champion is awarded a factory supported Mazda ride in the series above.  2007 MX-5 Cup Champion Jason Saini is racing a MAZDA6 in the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship. Visit www.mx-5cup.com to learn more.

About SCCA Pro Racing:
A wholly owned subsidiary of Sports Car Club of America, Inc., SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. is a leading sanctioning body for motor sports events in the United States. A member of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), SCCA Pro Racing operates and sanctions the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships, the SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, as well as provides sanctioning and various operational services for other racing series. For more information, please visit www.sccapro.com.

About Mazda:
Mazda is the brand of choice for road-racers across North America.  More than 9,000 grassroots racers compete in various classes with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA).  Racers who are years away from earning a driver’s license can now begin their professional motorsports careers in the Mazda family.  A driver can begin in karts and progress through the Skip Barber series, Club Racing Formula Mazda, professional Star Mazda and finally to Formula Atlantic, all with Mazda.  No other car company has ever connected the dots this way.