Global MX-5 Cup
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| Category | One-make racing by Mazda |
|---|---|
| Country |
 United States Canada
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| Inaugural season | 2006 |
| Manufacturers | Mazda |
| Tyre suppliers | BFGoodrich |
| Drivers' champion | Nathanial Sparks |
| Official website | Official website |
 Current season
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The Global MX-5 Cup is the professional Spec Miata series sanctioned by the SCCA in the United States of America. The pro Spec Miata series has its roots in 2003, but a unified national championship was launched in 2006.
The first generation Mazda MX-5 or Mazda Miata was launched in the US market in May 1989 (model year 1990). The Sports Car Club of America placed the car in the Showroom Stock C class for production vehicles with a 1.600cc engine. The rules allowed the car to be entered in races when the model was one year old, in 1991. As production and popularity of the sports car grew the SCCA developed a separate class for the car. After an exhibition race at Road Atlanta in 1999 an SCCA regional class was launched in 2000. In professional autosport the Miata's were entered in the SCCA World Challenge, but without major results.
The Mazdaspeed Miata Cup was launched for 2003 with a Pacific and an Atlantic championship. The series first race was run at BeaveRun Motorsports Complex on May 3rd and 4th 2003. Chip Herr and Niki Coello won the two races over the weekend. Niki Coello went on to win the Atlantic Tour championship.Bobby Carter won the inaugural Pacific Tour.
The introduction of the third generation Mazda MX-5 came also the national pro series in 2006. The inaugural season started at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. A total of 22 racers started the inaugural race which was won by Chip Herr, from pole position. The series was support event for the Rolex Sports Car Series at Laguna Seca, Lime Rock Park, Mid-Ohio and Miller Motorsports Park. The series also supported events of CASCAR, ChampCar, American Le Mans Series and the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. Jim Daniels clinched the championship with one round remaining. The 2007 season started at the Grand Prix of Houston with the series first night race.Jason Saini won five out of eight races to clinch the championship. Saini was promoted to the 2008 SCCA World Challenge with Mazda. The 2008 season started with a Mazda Miata shootout. Brad Rampelberg won the race between SCCA and NASA champions to receive a fully funded drive in the 2008 regular season. Rampelberg finished sixth in the season standings winning races at Portland and Miller Motorsports Park. Eric Foss won the championship winning two races but finishing all eight races.
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