MAZDAPSEED Partners with HDNet to Broadcast Live MX-5 Cup Races

IRVINE, June 8, 2009: The optimistic cliché is that tough times produce new opportunities. The current economic situation is indeed a rough one for all segments of industry, especially the automotive world. The MAZDASPEED team has taken that as a challenge, and is pleased to announce a new TV partnership that will kick off with two big weekends of live high-definition coverage on HDNet in June and July.

The broadcasts will focus on a pair of weekends, Mazda Formula X at New Jersey Motorsports Park, June 13 – 14, and the Autobahn Grand Prix Presented by Mazda at Autobahn Country Club, July 25 – 26. Each weekend features multiple classes of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development ladder, including Rounds Three, Four and Five of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup.

Each of the four MAZDASPEED broadcasts will be live for three hours (1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT). The broadcast team will be led by veteran commentator Rick Benjamin and legendary race driver Elliott Forbes-Robinson.

“By focusing on two of our biggest Mazda-centric race weekends, we can offer a unique viewing opportunity,” Mazda North American Operations Director of Marketing Mike Nakashima said. “Frequently, support races are broadcast at a different day and time, and often on different networks. We know that the road racing fan who follows the Atlantic Championship also will enjoy the Star Mazda and MX-5 Cup races. Our partnership with HDNet will allow us to more closely share the on-track experience with fans around the country by giving them a three-race afternoon, and the quality of the programming and high-definition transmission means it’s nearly as good as being trackside. A big thank you to our series partners at Cooper Tires (Atlantic) and BFGoodrich Tires (MX-5 Cup) for helping to make this happen.”

Round One of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup from Road Atlanta is currently airing on syndicated cable and satellite networks across the country. Round Two of the Championship, which took place at Mazda Raceway, will begin to air in syndication on June 12.

For a full TV schedule and more information on MX-5 cup visit the series Web site at www.mx-5cup.com.