iRacing has announced a partnership with Mazda Motorsports, opening a new entry point for sim racers to get a shot at racing in real life. iRacing members will compete in the Mazda MX-5 Cup, starting April 29th, for a berth to compete in the annual Mazda Club Racing Shootout held this Fall.The Shootout will pit the winner of the MX-5 Cup against amateur champions from real racing series, for an awesome prize. The winner of the shootout will earn a full-ride Mazda Motorsports scholarship for the following Mazda MX-5 Championship Presented by BFGoodrich Tires.
The MX-5 is one of the most raced cars in real life, as well as on the iRacing service, which makes the partnership “a natural one” according to Tony Gardner, President of iRacing.com. Tony goes on to state that he feels that this will also help tap into the talent pool available that sim racing provides that may go unrecognized otherwise.
The Mazda Club Racing Shootout is the next chapter of a program started in 2007, first known as the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder, which includes the Mazda Road to Indy, Mazda Club Racer Shootout, as well as the recently announced Mazda SportsCar Racing Academy.
To learn more about iRacing’s new announcement, you can read the official press release here. Below is also the specifics on how the competition will work, and some additional notes. You guys looking to take a shot at the championship?
Notes about the MX-5 Cup and Club Racer Shootout:
• The overall winners from 2014 season 2 (April 29, 2014 – July 21, 2014) and 2014 season 3 (July 29, 2014 – October 20, 2014) in the Mazda MX5 Cup (currently called the iRacing Mazda Cup) will win an invitation to attend the Mazda Club Racer Shootout in the fall of 2014. At the shootout they will be competing against other qualifiers from real world motorsports for the grand prize of a fully funded ride in the real world 2015 Mazda Mx5 Cup! Check out this video from the 2013 Shootout: http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/video-r…lub-racer-shootout/2000010162/
• The Mazda MX5 Cup series will run as a 12 week series, using standard iRacing rules and points scoring.
• Eligibility: The series is open to all iRacers, at all license levels. Only residents of the United States (lower 48 states) and Canada are eligible for the Shootout prize. Winner must provide proof of residency, be at least 16 years old by October 20, 2014, have a valid driver’s license and be physically able to safely enter and exit a race car. The winner of season 2 will not be eligible for prizes in season 3.
• In the event the highest points scoring iRacing member is not from North America, the next highest points winner who meets the qualifications will be awarded the prize.
• Prize details: Airfare and accommodations to the Mazda Club Racer Shootout (date and location to be announced later). Mazda will provide required racing gear if needed (helmet, driving suit, etc).
• iRacing reserves the right to review the official points standings and make any adjustments we feel are in the best interest of the competition.
• Mazda and iRacing reserve the right to modify competition at any time.