RACER in Focus: Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Car

RACER magazine photographed the 2016 Mazda Global MX-5 Cup prototype for its In Focus feature in the August issue.Almost from the very beginning 25 years ago, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been raced. The three generations of MX-5 are now likely the most-raced production cars in the U.S. and perhaps the world, and the first two generations, the NA and NB, serve as the basis for the most popular club racing class in America, Spec Miata.

With the third generation, Mazda created a professional spec series, the SCCA Pro Racing MX-5 Cup. As the fourth generation arrives on our shores and auto writers are unable to spew the superlatives fast enough, there was never any doubt that it would do the same with the new car. There are two big differences this time around. First, not only will this car serve as the basis for the Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup in the U.S., it will serve as the racecar for similar series in other parts of the world, all using the same car. Second, instead of supplying a list of parts and specifications for racers to build to, Mazda is building the car itself.

More on the 2016 Mazda Global MX-5 Cup...

• Global MX-5 Cup Car: Parity

• 2016 MX-5 Cup: Primed for Teams and Individuals

• Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Car: How it Drives

• Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Car: What Racers Are Saying

• Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Car: Braking

• Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Car: Driver Safety

• Global Mazda MX-5 Cup: Race Car Production