News Releases

MAZDA MOTORSPORTS ANNOUNCES DRIVERS ELIGIBLE FOR MAZDA ROAD TO 24 SHOOTOUT
Drivers From Numerous Grassroots Disciplines Invited To Compete For Chance At Global Mazda Mx-5 Cup Season

IRVINE, Calif. (October 31, 2019) –Mazda Motorsports has unveiled the list of drivers nominated for the 2019 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout.

The Shootout, scheduled for December 3-4 at the Michelin Laurens Proving Grounds in Mountville, South Carolina, will award the winner with a $100,000 scholarship to compete in the 2020 Battery Tender® Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires. The winner’s car will carry the Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal on their Global MX-5 Cup car throughout the 2020 season.

Winning a club racing championship while driving a Mazda or Mazda-powered car is the primary way to be nominated for the Mazda Road to 24 Shootout, while At-Large nominees are also considered. Nominated drivers will submit a written and video proposal from which the finalists will be selected for the one-day Shootout.

The 2018 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout winner, Michael Carter, captured the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year championship and finished a strong fourth in the overall championship.

NOMINEES FOR 2019 MAZDA ROAD TO 24 SHOOTOUT

Tray Ayres – SCCA Prototype 2 National Champion

Rhett Barkau – SCCA Formula Enterprises 2 National Champion

Todd Buras – SCCA Spec Miata National Champion

Justin Casey – NASA Spec Miata (At-Large)

Brandon Collins – Autobahn Country Club Spec Miata (At-Large)

Bryce Cornet – 2018 SCCA FM National Champion (At-Large)

Konrad Czaczyk – SCCA Spec Miata

Jeff Dernehl – SCCA GT-3 National Champion & Challenge Champion

Matthew Dirks – Teen Mazda Challenge (At-Large)

Jim Drago – NASA Spec Miata National Champion

Roy Fulmer IV – NASA Northern California Teen Mazda Challenge

Hannah Grisham – NASA Southern California Teen Mazda Challenge

Alex Hainer – Porsche Owners Club (At-Large)

John Hainsworth – SCCA E-Production (At-Large)

Aaron Jeansonne – Team USA Scholarship & Mazda Miata Racer (At-Large)

Flinn Lazier – SCCA Formula Enterprises (At-Large)

Savannah Little – NASA Spec Miata, Global Time Attack (At-Large)

Preston Pardus – SCCA Spec Miata (At-Large)

Karla Pestotnik – NASA WERC (At-Large)

Jason Pettit – Formula Car Challenge – Formula S Champion

Eric Prill – SCCA F Production National Champion

John Purcell – Formula Car Challenge – Pro Formula Mazda

Tyler Quance – NASA/SCCA Spec Miata (At-Large)

Matt Reynolds – SCCA E-Production (At-Large)

Alex Scaler – F1600 (At-Large)

Todd Slusher – SCCA Prototype 1 National Champion

Danny Steyn – SCCA Super Touring Lite National Champion

Jared Thomas – NASA/SCCA Spec Miata, Mini 500 winner (At-Large)

Bill Weaver – Formula Car Challenge – Formula Mazda

Mazda Motorsports boasts the most comprehensive auto racing development ladder system of any auto manufacturer in the world. The Mazda Road to 24 (#MRT24) program offers a number of scholarships to advance drivers up the sports car racing ladder, beginning with the Global MX-5 Cup series and culminating with Mazda Team Joest. In grassroots road racing, more Mazdas race on any given weekend in North America than any other manufacturer. Follow all of the latest news at MazdaMotorsports.com, @MazdaRacing on Twitter, and Mazda Motorsports on Instagram and Facebook.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

 

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Contact:
Tim Olson, Mazda North American Operations, 949-727-6551
Efrain Olivares, Mazda North American Operations, 818-254-7196