FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUSTIN, December 7, 2022 – Today, Spec MX-5 Challenge presented by Toyo Tires and its partners at Mazda Motorsports announce the highly anticipated provisional 2023 race calendar. The schedule reflects the Series’ ever-growing effort to provide a space for racer development and experienced competitors alike. The regular season will begin March 25, 2023 and run through September, culminating with a National Championship event later in the year (date & location to be announced).
“I’m thrilled to present our provisional calendar after months of hard work. We’re really excited to be able to provide back-to-back West Coast events, giving our racers out East a fantastic opportunity to run bucket-list tracks Sonoma & Laguna in the most cost-effective manner,” said Spec MX-5 Series Manager, Justin Cornelison. “With the addition of Summit Point, CMP, WGI, and Barber, 2023 looks to be our most exciting season yet.”
The 2023 Spec MX-5 Challenge Schedule:
- March 25-26: Buttonwillow Raceway SCCA
- April 01-02: Summit Point Motorsports Park SCCA
- April 15-16: Thunderhill Raceway Park SCCA
- April 22-23: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course NASA
- May 06-07: VIRginia International Raceway SCCA
- May 13-14: Portland International Raceway SCCA Super Tour
- May 27-28: Carolina Motorsports Park SCCA
- June 24-25: Sonoma Raceway NASA
- July 01-02: Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca SCCA
- July 01-02: Watkins Glen International SCCA
- July 22-23: Road America SCCA
- August 05-06: Daytona International Speedway SCCA
- August 26-27: Barber Motorsports Park* SCCA
- September 02-03: Sonoma Raceway SCCA
- September 02-03: Sebring International Raceway SCCA
* to be confirmed
There are a variety of pro-track additions next season including Carolina Motorsports Park, Watkins Glen International, and Barber Motorsports Park. These were added with the intention of letting up-and-coming racers learn the tracks they may be racing in their professional careers.
After receiving feedback from multiple teams and drivers from across the country, Spec MX-5 is pleased to have events scheduled at Sonoma & Laguna Seca in consecutive weekends for 2023, as a means to provide a cost-effective opportunity for our racers to drive these bucket-list tracks.
For 2023, Spec MX-5 will run just one regular season championship for clearer transparency in scoring, however racers will still be able to enjoy multiple events in specific regions all across the Country. The Series will announce an exciting change in how to qualify for the National Championship at a later date. Mazda Motorsports will provide a generous Contingency Program in 2023, along with an increase in scholarship prize money.
Spec MX-5 Challenge will continue to share updates as they come.
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Spec MX-5 Challenge: Is THE Driver Development Series for amateur racing. The third generation MX-5, coming just after the Spec Miata and prior to the MX-5 Cup cars, Spec MX-5 Challenge offers a variety of competitions to appeal to diverse needs and to support driver development from karters to novices to masters to pros.
Mazda Motorsports: Mazda Motorsports is responsible for all auto racing initiatives within the North American market. From promoting and servicing grassroots racers, to developing the open-wheel and sports car drivers of the future, to competing in the top-tier of North American endurance sports car racing, Mazda Motorsports oversees one of the largest and most diverse racing programs anywhere. Our mission is to ensure that anyone who wishes to race a Mazda at any level has the support they need to be competitive. Through our Mazda Team Program membership, Mazda racers have access to parts at discount, technical support, and can earn a variety of contingency awards and scholarships as well as benefit from at-track support at many events around the country.