Mazdaspeed Partners with FCC presented by Goodyear for 2012 Season

Sonoma CA - It was announced today that Mazdaspeed will be offering $15,000 in cash contingency awards to Regional and National Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear drivers. FCC NASA National Champions will also be eligible for the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Driver ladder program.

Formula Car Challenge Credit: Formula Car Challenge

The MAZDASPEED ladder has been a critical part of the success of up-and-coming racers including Raphael Matos, John Edwards, Conor Daly, Joel Miller, Connor De Phillippi, Dane Cameron, Jason Saini, Todd Lamb, Eric Foss, Michael Cooper, Trent Hindman, Danilo Estrella, Adam Christodoulou, Sage Karam, Spencer Pigot, Felix Serralles, Tristan Vautier, Petri Suvanto, and Scott Anderson. Last season Elliot Skeer was the Mazda Shootout winner. When told that he had won the shootout, a prize valued at $75,000, the richest in all of club racing Skeer noted, "Without this shootout and the MAZDASPEED ladder, the path to the top looks like a giant maze. This just changed my life and is helping me realize that it is possible to make my dream a reality and become a professional driver."

The criteria: Given that each of the finalists will have proven themselves on the track by winning a championship, the criteria to move up will be more encompassing. To succeed on the professional level requires a balance of both on-track and off-track skills including the following:

• Driving ability - fast and consistent laps
• Technical feedback - Understanding of vehicle dynamics and suspension, ability to evaluate vehicle handling, ability to analyze data, and the ability to improve vehicle handling
• The business of motorsports - Business proposal, presentation, and PR Skills

The judges: Each year Mazda invites a panel of outside judges to make the selection. The judges bring a wealth of both on-track, and off-track expertise. Over a dozen professionals are involved in either the preliminary business proposal review, on-track activities, or both.

The tally: After a full day of both driving, and classroom activities, the judges add the objective and subjective scores and discuss the merits of each driver.

The prize package: The total prize package is valued at over $75,000 and is the largest prize in club racing.

• $50,000 for the running of the car for the season
• $10,000 in parts support
• A MAZDASPEED driving suit and helmet
• Professional media training (Courtesy of MAZDASPEED)
• Ten sets of BFGoodrich tires, one set per race (Courtesy of BFGoodrich Tires)
• Ten entry fee waivers (Courtesy of SCCA Pro Racing)

Steve Sanders - MAZDASPEED Competition Manager: "Mazda enjoys a leadership position within the grassroots motorsports world. With leadership comes responsibility. We have chosen to promote outstanding club racers to the professional ranks as the best way to clearly demonstrate our commitment and responsibility to both our customers and the sport at large."

Ben Hettema- Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear Series Official: "Our series and drivers really appreciate that Mazda recognizes the FCC presented by Goodyear as being worthy of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Driver ladder program. We also really appreciate the amount of investment both in time and money that Mazda makes in the sport we all love. Many of our racers, mechanics, and officials drive Mazdas as their everyday vehicles and share their love of all things Mazda with fans and other event participants on a regular basis."

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