Photo credit: Courtesy Mazda MX-5 Cup
Twelve drivers will compete for $260,000 in scholarships at the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. The money will fund them racing in the Mazda MX-5 Cup.
The top prize awards $110,000, with two additional $75,000 scholarships offered. One driver will be selected as part of Mazda’s Women’s Initiative.
The program has a proven track record of finding talent. Last year’s finalist, Connor Zilisch, won the 2022 MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year, and missed the championship by 10 points. The MX-5 Cup champion, Jared Thomas, was a 2019 finalist.
[Jared Thomas wins Mazda MX-5 Cup title with Lemons of Love car]
The 12 finalists were chosen from a pool of nominees who were either automatically qualified by winning a championship in NASA, SCCA Club Racing or Spec MX-5 Challenge, or by an at-large nomination from their peers. Those nominees also submitted videos, focusing on their off-track efforts and business acumen, to earn their spot in the Shootout.
On November 9-10 at Sebring International Raceway, the finalists will be whittled down to three in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. The MX-5 Cup Shootout judges finalists not only by lap times. A driver’s ability to review data, apply feedback and improve will also be considered. In addition, interviews with the judges will determine their potential to be a brand ambassador.
2023 MX-5 Cup Shootout Finalists
View all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
