News Releases

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 28, 2015) – Once again, Mazda Motorsports led the way at the 2015 SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Garmin VIRB.  With 144 entries, Mazda topped the entry charts.  With 61 starters in Spec Miata, Mazda had the largest class among the 27 races held over three days at Daytona International Speedway.  And, working with the SCCA, Mazda made history with the first ever night race in the 52 year history of the Runoffs—the Spec Miata race was held under the lights on Friday night.

“We love this event.  So many of our racers have been racing with Mazda for decades; they are very much our extended family.  We enjoyed a great awards banquet dinner for over 500 of our team members on Wednesday night; staged a once-in-a-lifetime photo; were mesmerized by the first-ever night race at the Runoffs; and showcased our new 2016 Global MX-5 Cup race car in front of one of the most influential groups of car people in the world,” noted John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations.

Mazda Stats:

• 144 entries – 25% of all cars at the competition, more than any other automaker.
• The Spec Miata race, with 61 cars taking the green flag was the largest race.
• Mazda racers scored two race wins, 13 podium finishes, and three pole positions.
• $34,000 in contingency awards were earned by Mazda racers.

The 2015 Mazda-powered SCCA National Runoffs Champions are as follows:

• Joseph Burton-Harris – Formula Mazda
• Jonathan Goring – Spec Miata

Burton-Harris and Goring are now eligible for the Mazda Road to 24 shootout.  The Mazda Road to 24 shootout awards the single largest prize in club racing.  Since 2006, Mazda has annually promoted one talented club racer to the professional ranks.  The $100,000 scholarship funds a drive in the 2016 Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup.  This is a part of the Mazda Road to 24, the sports car counterpart to the Mazda Road to Indy.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.  For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

Contact:          

Dean Case, Mazda Motorsports  (310) 318-4582      Mazdaspeed@MazdaUSA.com
Jade Gurss, Mazda Motorsports  (317) 517-4121     MazdaMotorsports@icloud.com