IRVINE, California — The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix kicks off six straight weeks of season finales for over 200 Mazda racers ranging from SCCA and NASA club racers to professional teams in Grand-Am and ALMS. There will be over 50 individual races at nine different tracks at ten different events.
As the seasons conclude, Mazda is leading the manufacturers’ points championships in ALMS LMP1, Grand-Am GT, and Continental Tire ST. Mazda racers are leading the ALMS drivers championship, and within reach of the Grand-Am GT drivers championship.
As a part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Ladder and the Mazda Road to Indy, Mazda will be crowning champions in the Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 Championship, Skip Barber Nationals, and Playboy MX-5 Cup. These drivers will be promoted to the next level in 2012 with Mazda support.
Club racing is the heart and soul of Mazda, and the two biggest annual events for club racers takes place at two of the classic tracks – The NASA Championship at Mid-Ohio and the SCCA Runoffs at Road America.
John Doonan, Motorsports Director, Mazda North American Operations, noted that “The 2011 season has been non-stop since January with the Rolex 24 at Daytona, but September will bring out the best in our racers as they aim to finish on a high note. The fact that we have the potential to score three manufacturers championships is a testament to the amazing teamwork and dedication of all of our teams, drivers, and partners. Going head-to-head with some of the top brands in the world shows that Mazda can produce world class cars for both the racetrack and the street.”
September 2-4 Baltimore Grand Prix
American Le Mans Series Presented by Patron
Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear
Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda – FINALE
SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup @ Brainerd International Raceway
September 10-11 NASA National Championships @ Mid-Ohio
400+ club racers in over two dozen classes
BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda @ Autobahn Country Club
September 16-18 ModSpace American Le Mans Monterey @ Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
American Le Mans Series Presented by Patron
Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear – FINALE
September 16-17 Grand-Am & Continental Tire FINALES @ Mid-Ohio
September 23-25 48th Annual SCCA Runoffs @ Road America
600+ club racers in over two dozen classes
Sept 28 – Oct 1 Petit Le Mans @ Road Atlanta
American Le Mans Series Presented by Patron – FINALE
SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup – FINALE
Pirelli World Challenge - FINALE
October 6-8 BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda FINALE @ Lime Rock
October 7-8 Formula D – FINALE @ Toyota Speedway
About Mazda & MAZDASPEED
Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world’s largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
MAZDASPEED Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
Consumer information can be found at www.mazdausa.com with press information at www.mazdausamedia.com Racers and fans can the action on facebook (Mazdaspeed Motorsports).
