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Formula Mazda OK'd As National Class

"Participation figures generated and verified by SCCA staff indicated to us that Formula Mazda had, indeed, earned a National class designation," said Area 11 director JoAnne Jensen, whose division-SoPac-is home to Star Mazda manufacturer Valley Motor Center, Inc., of Van Nuys, Calif. "Admittedly, it's tough to add another class when we continue to debate the proliferation of categories, but the board agreed it was short-sighted to ignore the success and continued potential of this formula."

In 1996 and 1997, the Formula Mazdas were allowed to run with Formula Atlantic in Nationals, for several years in Regionals as a stand-alone class, and in the various semi-pro series organized across the country by Valley and its network of Star Mazda dealers. For 1998, several new programs are being added which include a $5,000 reward and a $2,000 Goodyear product certificate for the Valvoline Runoffs' first Formula Mazda champion. The total Runoffs payout for Formula Mazda is more than $40,000, which includes the cash purse of $25,000, which will be distributed to the top 15 finishers, additional distributions of Goodyear tires, NGK spark plugs to every FM Runoffs entrant and a set of Formula Mazda BBS wheels to the driver who gains the most positions during the race.

"This is probably the most significant milestone achieved so far in the growth and development of Formula Mazda as a concept and as an SCCA class," said Valley Motor Center president Gary Rodrigues. "My hat is off to everyone at SCCA who helped in this process, and to the Formula Mazda drivers for their participation."

For more information about Formula Mazda, please contact Rodrigues at (818) 909-5319.

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