David Cook started with Mazda Motorsports in 2014, and in his role as the business development manager, Cook has been actively involved in such programs as Spec Miata, the Teen Mazda Challenge, the NASA Championships and the contingencies and prizes packages associated with those programs. More recently, Cook and the Mazda team developed Spec MX-5, a new racing class based on the third-generation Mazda MX-5, known as the NC chassis. With a tight rules set and generous prize packages, Spec MX-5 is yet another rung on Mazda’s ladder into professional motorsports. This year, Mazda Motorsports announced the formation of a [...]

For two days, nine grassroots Mazda racers contended for three Mazda scholarships to compete in the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires, the 15th annual running of the contest. In addition, 10 kart racers vied to be part of the Mazda’s first club racing factory team that will run in the Spec MX-5 Challenge Series as NASA Teen Mazda Challenge drivers. The 19 finalists competed at the historic Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The MX-5 Cup Shootout’s top scholarship is valued at $110,000, with two additional prizes added this year, each worth $75,000. The Spec MX-5 Shootout awarded two [...]

Mazda Motorsports held its MX-5 Cup Shootout earlier this week to determine who will win the scholarships to race in the Global MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires in 2021. Nine drivers are competing for one of three scholarships in the Global MX-5 Cup. Mazda also is auditioning 10 young kart racers to compete for two spots on Mazda’s first-of-its-kind club racing factory team that will campaign two cars in Spec MX-5 in 2021. “2020 marks the 15th year of the MX-5 Cup Shootout, with this being the first year we expanded to offer karters the opportunity to join us [...]

NASA Southeast Spec Miata rolled into the World Center of Racing with a 16-car turnout from the Southeast and Florida regions. On Saturday, Anthony Zappone won pole position on a wet track with a 2:47.094, with Yan Dia P2, Mark Gibbons P3, Matt Goodrich P4, Keith Williamson P5 and Don Elvington P6. At the green flag, Gibbons got to Zappone’s bumper and the pair got through Turn 1, with Dia dropping in behind, followed by Goodrich and Williamson. As the lead pack left the infield, Zappone and Gibbons started to pull away from Dia, while Goodrich and Williamson bump-drafted to [...]

NASA has officially renewed its partnership with RacingJunk.com as our Official NASA Classifieds Partner. If you’re interested in buying or selling a racecar, RacingJunk.com is the place to do it. RacingJunk.com also has classified ads for tow rigs and trailers, hot rods and engines and transmissions. In addition to hosting classifieds, RJ partners with tracks, series sponsors, racers, manufacturers and experts to support all levels of the community from grassroots to professionals, connecting users with the best products, services and experiences in the industry. The site also offers giveaways, a business directory of racing and performance shops, and news and [...]

Two years out of the driver’s seat is a long time in racing, so it makes sense that a returning driver would be a bit conservative rather than aggressive in Turn 1 and lap one in his first race back. In our first installment of “What Would You Do,” within Move of the Month, watch the video to see how the decision-making turned out. The post What Would You Do? Part I appeared first on NASA Speed News Magazine.

On Election Day, when most of the country was at the polls to choose a president, NASA had three NASA Prototypes, including the new NP01 Evo, at Buttonwillow Raceway testing to find a new spec tire for the NP01 class. Representatives from Toyo, Yokohama, Hoosier and Hankook were on hand with several offerings vying to be the spec tire for the NASA Prototype class. The new NP01 Evo now benefits from more grip thanks to added downforce provided by a front splitter ramp and rear diffuser, and a relocated rear wing. The new NP01 Evo also comes with more power, [...]

The offseason is almost here for all of us, and now is one of the best times to keep learning. The team at Racers360 consistently sees a massive difference between drivers who use the off-season to keep improving compared with those who take it off completely. So, to help all drivers make the most out of the time out, they have made the Racers Lounge. In the Racers Lounge, you will find hundreds of hours of detailed coaching videos from the best minds in motorsports like two-time IndyCar Champion Josef Newgarden, Indy500 pole winner James Hinchcliffe, Sportscar legend Randy Pobst [...]

Sometimes victory is fleeting. Sometimes it comes in waves, and that was the case for NASA SoCal racer Blake Minasian in October, who took home his first and second career wins in one weekend. Qualifying was a little different. The drivers’ top times determined place on grid for Saturday. The second fastest time determined your grid spot for Sunday’s qualifying race. The system worked just fine, even if Saturday’s main and Sunday’s qualifying races were marred by some argy-bargy at the entrance to Buttonwillow’s oh-so-narrow Esses, but we’re getting ahead here. Minasian started from third, and Turn 1 was what [...]

The drivers meeting typically is where racers get information on run groups, starting orders and flagging specifics. In October, racers in the NASA SoCal Region also learned that they would be getting a new Regional Director. Ryan Flaherty has spent two decades as the SoCal Regional Director and NASA National Chairman. He introduced the new Regional Director, Mike Collins, and added that he would be actively assisting in the transition as the 2021 season begins. “After 20 years of hosting events in SoCal and providing executive leadership at the national level, I felt it was time to focus my attention [...]