Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup

MX-5 Cup

The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. MX-5 Cup offers more than $1 million in prize money and scholarships a year.

The MX-5 Cup race cars start as complete MX-5 road cars from the Mazda Hiroshima, Japan factory before being transported to engineering development partner Flis Performance in Daytona Beach, Florida, where they are transformed into a race car. The process includes disassembly of the production car, welding and paint of a full roll cage and interior, and adding 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.

Cars

All cars are built from white, Club trim level new cars exclusively by Flis Performance in Daytona Beach, Florida. (www.FlisPerformance.com)

The car is completely disassembled, tub is cleaned of seam sealer and sound deadening material, an IMSA, INDYCAR, and SCCA approved roll cage is TIG welded into the car. The cage contains complete NASCAR-style door bars on both sides of the car (making it the ultimate HPDE driver / instructor car) and is tied together across the firewall through the interior of the dash leaving a neat appearing and fully functional dash. After roll cage completion, the cage and tub of the car are painted in an automotive paint booth.

After cage installation and paint, the car is assembled with over 250 race car-specific parts. The parts added to the car provide handling, endurance, safety and power enhancement specifically designed for the car after hundreds of hours and thousands of miles of both on-track and lab testing by automotive mechanical engineers and professional race car drivers. Component sealing and authentication tracking is done for parity in the various racing series in which the car competes.

Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Overview

The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup is a prominent racing series that showcases the Mazda MX-5 sports car. This series is known for its competitive nature and serves as a platform for both amateur and professional drivers to showcase their skills.

Key Features of the Series

• Car Specifications: The Mazda MX-5 used in the series is modified for racing, featuring enhancements in suspension, aerodynamics, and safety.

• Competitive Format: Races are typically held on various road courses, providing a mix of technical and high-speed sections.

• Driver Development: The series emphasizes driver development, making it an ideal stepping stone for those aspiring to advance in motorsports.

• Sponsorship and Support: The series often includes partnerships with sponsors like Whelen Engineering, enhancing the professional atmosphere.

Season Structure

The season usually consists of multiple races held across different venues. Each event may include practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and the main race.

Conclusion

The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup continues to be a vital part of the racing community, fostering talent and providing thrilling competition for fans and participants alike.