SCCA (HOUSTON) - A SEQUAL AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL
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MEDIA ADVISORY: SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup
As the popularity of Spec Miata and The Mazdaspeed Miata Cup continued to grow exponentially, it was time to up the stakes and introduce an entry-level, professional, national, affordable spec racing series for the all-new MX-5 Miata. Enter the SCCA Pro Racing SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup, which made its debut in 2006.
The blueprint was simple, but brilliant: take a versatile Mazda MX-5, tweak it with some minor modifications to the intake and exhaust systems, throw on a roll cage and some spec tires, then put some up-and-coming racers behind the wheel and watch them duke it out over eight rounds on the country's most challenging road and street courses.
With three different winners in the opening three rounds and only a handful of races decided by more than a second, the series met all its expectations and more.
Expect more of the same in 2007, and without the presence of 2006 MX-5 Cup Champion Jim Daniels, it's anyone's guess who the next MX-5 master will be.
Texan Jason Saini (#28 AutobarnMazda/Saferacer.com) is certainly a title contender this year. Saini was runner-up to Daniels in the 2006 Championship and ended the season with a win at Road America in addition to four other top-five finishes.
Leading the Alara Racing contingent is Ara Malkhassian (#11 Alara Racing). Malkhassian finished fourth in the points last year on the strength of three top-five performances, including a second-place finish at the season finale.
Pratt Cole (#88 RP Motorsports) might have finished higher in the points last season had he not missed a round at Lime Rock Park. Cole picked up steam late in the season, qualifying in the top-five three times in the second half of the season
Although yet to race in MX-5 Cup competition, many drivers will have their sights set on young Andrew Caddell (#30 TeamMER/AimSport/PinnacleMazda). The 2006 SCCA Spec Miata National Champion won an MX-5 from Mazda after beating out two other SCCA National Champions in a unique shootout during the off season.
These are just a few of the drivers who could grace the podium this weekend, but as we saw last year, all bets are off until the checkered flag flies.
THE WEAPON OF CHOICE - AND ITS SUBSEQUENT ACCESSORIES
The beauty of running a spec-series is that driver talent really has a chance to shine through. It's true in MX-5 Cup as well, but the additional alluring aspect of this young series is the car; the nimble, dependable and undeniably fun Mazda MX-5.
Mechanically, all MX-5 Cup cars will remain essentially stock, as delivered from the dealer, with only bolt-on modifications to the intake and exhaust systems. While the stock MX-5 Miata produces 170 hp, an MX-5 Cup car will produce in excess of 200 hp. All MX-5 Cup vehicles will be equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and may be run with the optionally available limited-slip rear differential.
Suspension will incorporate a fully-adjustable coil-over kit with double-adjustable shock absorbers and specified spring rates, as well as adjustable anti-roll bars front and rear. All cars will be required to run on series-sponsor Kumho DOT-approved race tires, and will use a 17x8" wheel of a specified weight - again, to level the field and minimize costs. Additionally, brake pads, fluid and lines will be upgraded to racing components.
All MX-5 Cup cars will run with full safety equipment, including an eight-point roll-cage welded into the car, a racing seat, racing seatbelts and will incorporate a fire-extinguishing system.
As before, all components for the cars will be sold directly through MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development, which also supports the program monetarily with contingency awards to successful drivers.
Local Drivers
Several drivers call Texas home, including: Jesse Combs (Houston), Jeff Moore (Houston), Forest Barber (Fort Worth), Tim Probert (Houston), Jason Saini (Fort Worth), Shannon McMasters (Granbury), Barry Fromberg (Plano), Harrison Williams (Houston), Ben McCrackin (Corpus Christi).
Event Entry lists
#, Driver, Hometown, Entrant, Sponsors
5, Dale Alexander, Tampa FL, Hale Motorsports, Moe'sSWGrill/AlexanderMtrspts
7, Jesse Combs, Houston, TX, Alara Racing, Coolgas Ltd.
8, Dr. Carlos Tesler-Mabe, Vancouver, BC Canada, Alara Racing, ALARA Racing/carmenandcamille
10, Rick Bellew, Mobline, AL, Team MER, M&M Motorsports/B&W Supply
11, Ara Malkhassian, Sonoma, CA, Alara Racing, Alara Racing
19, Bob Michaelian, Seal Beach, CA, Hooverspeed, Hooverspeed
21, Randy Hale, III, Haddam, CT, Hale Motorsports, HaleMtrspts/HoleInTheWallCamps
22, Jeff Moore, Houston, TX, Alara Racing, Alara Racing
24, Forest Barber, Forth Worth, TX, Team MER, FeedsTheNeed/ForestBarber
25, Shannon McMasters, Granbury, TX, Team MER, Team MER/SafeRacer.com
26, Tim Probert, Houston, TX, Alara Racing, Alara Racing / Tim Probert
28, Jason Saini, Fort Worth, TX, Team MER, AutobarnMazda/SafeRacer.com
29, Brett Smrz, Coeur d'Alene, ID, Team MER, AutismSpeaks.org/SafeRacer.com
30, Andrew Caddell, Graham Washington, Team MER, TeamMER/AimSport/PinnacleMazda
39, Brad McAllister, Portland, OR, Wired Motorsports, ACE Surgical Supply/H&M Mtrspt
43, Barry Fromberg, Plano, TX, Alara Racing, Alara Racing / FBG Racing
44, Steve Bottom, Newport Beach, CA, Steven Bottom Racing, Sonic Drive-In
52, Donna Gilio, Carson City, NV, Hooverspeed, Hooverspeed
65, Chris Sarian, Littleton, CO, SarWood Racing, SarWoodRacing/ZampHelmets
80, Matt Cross, Folsom, CA, Hooverspeed, JasonHooverMtrspts/Hooverspeed
81, Ben McCrackin, Corpus Christi, TX, Alara Racing, Alara Racing
88, Pratt Cole, Salt Lake City, UT, RP Motorsports, DEX
00, Harrison Williams, Houston, TX, Alara Racing, Albrecht&Assoc/MorganKeegan
08, Laura Olson, Costa Mesa, CA, Hale Motorsports, Patron Tequila
09, John C. Kuitwaard, Wantagh, NY, P1-Motorsports.com, P1-Motorsports/Alex'sLemonade