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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 seventh 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 the 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. 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 vehicles have 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. BF Goodrich tires are mounted on 17X8” wheels. Brake pads, fluid and lines are upgraded for the demands of racing. The Mazdas are fitted with an eight-point roll-cage welded into the car, racing seatbelts and a fire extinguishing system for safety. In December 2011, it was announced that the series would include a second class. Beginning this year, there is a category for Skip Barber Racing School competitors. The Skip Barber Racing School will provide an arrive-and-drive program in their Mazda MX-5s. The program costs $6,875 for a single race and $50,000 for the entire season of eleven rounds. The cost includes a test day, tires, fuel, entry fees, in car-video and data feedback, in car radio setup and television exposure. The 2012 season consists of eleven 45-minute timed races spread over eight weekends. The first event of the year will be held in March at Sebring International Raceway and the year will end at Road Atlanta in October. Sebring, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Road Atlanta will be doubleheader races.
Round seven of the 2012 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup was held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Drivers would compete on the ten-turn 2.459-mile road course for forty-five minutes.
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Eighteen competitors head into Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s corner one for round seven of the 2012 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. At the front of the field is the pole-sitter, John Dean, in the No. 16 Projections Research / Sick Sideways Mazda MX-5. Immediately behind Dean is the other front-row starter Stevan McAleer driving the No. 28 Blue Mercury Capital / Numberix / CJ Wilson Mazda MX-5. |
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John Dean was quickest in practice at round seven and earned the pole position in the No. 16 Projections Research / Sick Sideways Mazda MX-5. Despite pressure from the points leader, Stevan McAleer, Dean would go flag-to-flag for his third victory of the season. The win reduced McAleer’s championship lead to twenty-six markers, with four events remaining on the 2012 calendar. |
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The points leader heading into Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was Stevan McAleer. McAleer qualified second fastest in the No. 28 Blue Mercury Capital / Numberix / CJ Wilson Children’s Charities Mazda MX-5. He was able to keep the pressure on the race leader, John Dean, until lap-24. Dean opened a gap on McAleer when passing a lapped car. He would finish in the runner-up spot by a margin of 1.433-seconds. |
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There were five entries in the Skip Barber Racing School MAZDASPEED Pro Series class. The fastest qualifier at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was Bryan Hixon, gridded fourteenth overall for the forty-five-minute contest. However, during the race, the No. 62 Skip Barber Racing School Mazda MX-5 of Zachry Lee was able to pass Hixon. Lee won the category and finished eighth overall. |
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The Canadian Tire Motorsport Park podium for round seven of the 2012 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. In the center is the winner, John Dean, from Sick Sideways. This was Dean’s third victory of his 2012 campaign. Standing on the left is the runner-up, Stevan McAleer. The CJ Wilson driver leads the points chase with four events remaining. Completing the rostrum is 17-year-old Elliott Skeer. |
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Young Elliott Skeer qualified fourth fastest for round seven at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. During the race, the driver of the No. 17 MAZDASPEED / Sparco Mazda MX-5 quickly found himself in a battle with John Dean and his teammates Stevan McAleer and Marc Miller. Unable to maintain the pace set by Dean and McAleer, Skeen fought with Miller and was able to make the pass for the final position of the podium. |
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The Skip Barber Racing School MAZDASPEED Pro Series class podium at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for round seven. In the center is the category winner, Zachry Lee, who started in the fifteenth position and finished eighth overall. Standing on the left is the runner-up, Brian Hixon. Hixon drove the No. 63 Mazda MX-5 with backing from Ducati of San Antonio. Starting and finishing third in class is David Knight. |
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| FINISH | START | CLASS | DRIVER | TEAM | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
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| 1 | 1 | MX | John Dean | Sick Sideways/Projections Research - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 2 | 2 | MX | Stevan McAleer | CJ Wilson Childrens Charities - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 3 | 4 | MX | Elliott Skeer | Sparco/Milgard Windows - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 4 | 3 | MX | Marc Miller | CJ Wilson Childrens Charities - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 5 | 7 | MX | Sebastian Landy | Windsor Customs/Excitations.com - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 6 | 5 | MX | Ara Malkhassian | ALARA Racing/ALARA Garage - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 7 | 6 | MX | Nathanial Sparks | OOTSK Performance/Bimmerworld - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 8 | 9 | MX | Chris Windsor | Windsor Customs/Child Print ID - Mazda MX-5 | 27 | - |
| 9 | 11 | MX | Forrest Landy | Windsor Customs/Excitations.com - Mazda MX-5 | 27 | - |
| 10 | 10 | MX | Emilee Tominovich | TrueCar/Shepherd Electrical Supply - Mazda MX-5 | 27 | - |
| 11 | 12 | MX | Allen Delattre | ModSpace Motorsports - Mazda MX-5 | 26 | - |
| 12 | 8 | MX | Brent Mosing | ALARA Racing/Frank's International - Mazda MX-5 | 26 | - |
| 13 | 13 | MX | Christian Szymczak | Sick Sideways/Projections Research - Mazda MX-5 | 11 | Mechanical |
| 14 | 15 | SBMX | Zachry Lee | Skip Barber Racing - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 15 | 14 | SBMX | Bryan Hixon | Ducati San Antonio - Mazda MX-5 | 28 | - |
| 16 | 16 | SBMX | David Knight | Skip Barber Racing/Pharmanex - Mazda MX-5 | 27 | - |
| 17 | 17 | SBMX | Brian Maske | Skip Barber/Sympatico CA - Mazda MX-5 | 27 | - |
| 18 | 18 | SBMX | Greg Holloway | Skip Barber/Connexus - Mazda MX-5 | 27 | - |
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