With the public debut of the 2016 Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca last week, the MX-5 Cup competitors as well as the race fans in attendance got to see the car up close, poking their head under the hood and even sitting in the car. That was especially nice for tall drivers because they could see that they can fit, too! Being at the event and participating in the practice sessions was a chance to draw a lot of interest to Mazda’s announcement that they will host a global series for the MX-5 next season.
The car was really well received, and I think people were impressed with the fit and finish on the detail items, even though this is purely a development car. The way the FIA cage integrates into the cockpit and the ergonomics inside the driver compartment are impressive, and it’s a good fit no matter what your height is. That was a surprise for some drivers since this model goes back to the Miata’s roots of being a smaller car.
Other upgrades that people found interesting were the Brembo brake calipers and the upgraded ABS unit, which is technically improved from the previous version and more suited for racing conditions.
Even small elements are notable, like the redesigned shift knob and the optimized gear ratios. We found that the MX-5 was in the powerband more often around Mazda Raceway, and that really paired well with the car’s lightweight, nimble handling.
Overall, we got great feedback from the MX-5 Cup competitors and other racers who are interested in placing an order on one of the new cars. There will be a lot more opportunities to see the car on track. Coming to an MX-5 Cup race near you!