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Since its launch in 1989, the MX-5 has become a bestseller for Mazda.
In 2006, the company introduced the Mazda MX-5 Cup series.
Now in its fifth season, the MX-5 Cup is popular with competitors and fans.
The series is part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder that promotes champions of Mazda series to the next level of their career. The motivation for drivers to enter the MX-5 Cup division is an opportunity to earn a factory-supported ride in next year’s SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge Touring Car Championship, which is valued at $250,000. All Mazda MX-5 Cup cars receive only minor upgrades. Bolt-on modifications include a new intake manifold and exhaust system which increases the engine output from 170 to 200-horsepower. All the vehicles are equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The suspension uses a coil-over kit with double adjustable shock absorbers and roll bars. Khumo tires are mounted on 17X8” wheels. Brake pads, fluid and lines are upgraded for the demands of racing. For safety, the Mazdas are fitted with an eight-point roll-cage welded into the car, racing seatbelts and a fire extinguishing system. The 2010 season consists of eleven 45-minute timed races. The first event of the year was held at Virginia International Raceway and ended in September with a doubleheader at Miller Motorsports Park.
Round nine of the 2010 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup was held at Mosport International Raceway. Drivers would compete on the ten-turn 2.459-mile road course for forty-five minutes.
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The start of round nine for the 2010 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup at Mosport International Raceway. Leading the thirteen competitors is the pole-sitter, Nick Evans, in the No. 28 Team MER Mazda MX-5 and the other front-row starter, Michael Cooper, driving the No. 84 Atlanta Motorsports Group Mazda MX-5. The Mazda MX-5s of Russell Walker and Jesse Combs are trailing the front row. |
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Brad Rampelberg grabbed his fifth win of the season at Mosport International Raceway. Rampelberg had problems during practice and qualifying and was gridded seventh in the No. 4 AMG / Cobalt Brakes Mazda MX-5. At the beginning of the race, he fell to eleventh place, but by lap-15, he was in the lead. On the final lap, Rampelberg lost first place to Lyonel Kent in turn seven but retook the top spot in the last corners for the victory. |
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Finishing in the runner-up position by a margin of just 0.255-seconds was Lyonel Kent. During the qualifying session, Kent set the eighth fast time. He had moved into contention on lap-15 of the race and was battling with Brad Rampelberg and Russell Walker for the win. By the end of the contest, Kent was trading positions with Walker. On the final lap, he passed Rampelberg but lost the spot and finished second. |
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Russell Walker earned his best starting position in the Mazda MX-5 Cup series at Mosport International Raceway. During qualifying, Walker was third fastest in the No. 29 Team MER-prepared Mazda MX-5. Late in the event, he was in the lead pack that included Brad Rampelberg and Lyonel Kent. Throughout the closing laps, Walker swapped positions with Kent. He would finish third, collecting his best result of the season. |
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Another driver earning his best qualifying result of the season was Jeff Mosing. Mosing drove the No. 30 Team MER / Frank's International / Race Now For Autism Mazda MX-5 and qualified fifth fastest. He fell back early in the race but advanced positions when the leader's Nick Evans, Michael Cooper and Jesse Combs, had problems. Mosing got faster during the contest and crossed the finish line in fourth place, his career best. |
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Another competitor to benefit from the issues experienced by Nick Evans, Michael Cooper and Jesse Combs was Alfred Caiola. Caiola was gridded eleventh for the forty-five minute contest in the No. 09 AMG / B&L Management Mazda MX-5. He moved up the race order and on lap-23, he passed the pole-sitter, Evans, for fifth place. Caiola held the position to the checkered flag and earned his top series result. |
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| FINISH | START | DRIVER | TEAM | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Brad Rampelberg | Atlanta Motorsports Group - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 2 | 8 | Lyonel Kent | Alara Racing - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 3 | 3 | Russell Walker | Team MER - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 4 | 5 | Jeff Mosing | Team MER - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 5 | 11 | Alfred Caiola | Atlanta Motorsports Group - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 6 | 1 | Nick Evans | Team MER - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 7 | 12 | Harrison Williams | Alara Racing - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 8 | 10 | Mark Carpenter | Atlanta Motorsports Group - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 9 | 9 | Ara Malkhassian | Alara Racing - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 10 | 13 | Tim Probert | Alara Racing - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 11 | 2 | Michael Cooper | Atlanta Motorsports Group - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 12 | 4 | Jesse Combs | Alara Racing - Mazda MX-5 | 27 | - |
| 13 | 6 | Justin Piscitell | Team MER - Mazda MX-5 | 20 | - |
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