Series History

1983
First single-seat, tube-frame race cars powered by Mazda rotary engines built by Hayashi in Japan for use in the Jim Russell Racing School.  

1984
Formula Russell makes its competition debut at the Long Beach Grand Prix.  Shortly thereafter, the car became so popular that numerous regional/divisional series were established by the Russell Racing School.

1990
First year the “Star Formula Mazda” was constructed by Valley Motor Center, Inc.

1991
Star Mazda Series created by Gary Rodrigues.   First-ever Star Mazda race held in June at Willow Springs Raceway, California (Winner Mark Rodrigues driving for Valley Motor Center).

1996
First Star Mazda Series race as a supporting event on an Indy Racing League weekend at the Phoenix Dura Lube 200 in March. First time a Star Mazda race is shown on national TV – ESPN.  Kevin Jenkins was the race winner.

1999
Series gains additional title sponsor, becomes "Best Western Star Mazda Championship" and becomes a national professional series supporting the American Le Mans Series in its inaugural year.  Joey Hand wins five of the seven races on the schedule, and becomes the first driver in series history to win four races in a row.  His prize includes a brand-new Mazda Miata street car.

2001
Series re-named Star Mazda North American Championship presented by Goodyear.

2003
Mazda rotary engine re-introduced in a production vehicle, the RX-8 sports car, decision made to utilize new engine in new Star Mazda race car.  

2004
Current Star Mazda 'Pro' car introduced, featuring a carbon-fiber chassis and 250hp Renesis, two-rotor rotary engine (same rotary engine used in the current Mazda RX-8).  Car designed by Star Race Cars; chassis built by Elan Motorsport Technologies. Series changes name to Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Michael McDowell becomes second driver to win four races in a row; wins Series championship.

2005
Raphael Matos becomes third driver to win four races in a row; wins series championship. 

2007
MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder created to provide funding for champions in various Mazda-powered series to move up in class. Dane Cameron becomes the first Star Mazda Champion to move up to the Atlantic Championship via the MAZDASPEED Ladder.

2008
Joel Miller, the 2007 Skip Barber Pro Series Champion, becomes the first driver to move up to Star Mazda via the MAZDASPEED Ladder. Star Mazda changes from rolling starts to standing starts to better prepare drivers for moving up to Atlantic and Champ Car.Series changes from bias-ply racing slicks to radials designed specifically for the series by Goodyear.  Goodyear has been the sole tire provider for the national series since its inception. Both Goodyear and Mazda signed 5-year extensions of their title sponsorship of the series, through the end of the 2013 season. 

2009

Raphael Matos becomes first StarMazda driver to race in each Mazda-powered series (Skip Barber, Star Mazda, Atlantic) and graduate to IndyCar.

The Star Mazda Championship car undergoes its first major mechanical upgrade since it was introduced, including aerodynamic package, engine and suspension modifications, etc.  Upgrade package, designed to make the car easier more reliable and easier to maintain, lower the cost of competition and make it easier for the driver and engineer to hit the 'sweet spot' in the car's handling and performance, is offered to teams, but use is not mandatory.

Atlantic Championship announces it is canceling 2010 season.  2009 Star Mazda Champion Adam Christodoulou is teamed with 2008 series champion John Edwards to campaign a Mazda-backed RX-8 in the Grand-Am GT1 category for 2010.  Duo wins first race in 4st start.

Oval races re-join the Star Mazda schedule for the first time since 2006; events include Milwaukee Mile (winner Anders Krohn) and Iowa Speedway (winner Peter Dempsey)

2010

IRL 'Road to Indy' program announced, along with creation of IRL-sanctioned USF2000 championship.  USF2000, Star Mazda Championship and Indy Lights series named official series on the Road to Indy. First 'Road to Indy' race held with all three series at the same event: Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Conor Daly winner).Conor Daly becomes fourth driver in Star Mazda history (including Joey hand in 1999, Michael McDowell in 2004 and Raphael Matos in 2005) to win four races in a row; goes on the win the championship.  Star Mazda TV package includes syndication to 155 million homes worldwide.

2011

Mazda announced as title sponsor of Mazda Road to Indy driver development program that includes scholarship funding for champions at each level to move up and compete in the next higher series; USF2000 > Star Mazda > Indy Lights > IndyCar.  Star Mazda schedule extensively revised to include six IndyCar weekends, co-feature weekend with Indy Lights and participation in IndyCar 'Spring Training.'  Andretti Motorsports joins the series, becoming the first team to compete at every level of the Mazda Road to Indy, including IndyCar.  Five drivers from 2010 series test Indy Lights cars, two drivers (Anders Krohn and David Ostella) announce full-season Indy Lights programs.

2012

Mazda secures television coverage for Star Mazda, USF2000 and MX-5 Cup with race features during the Mazda Motorsports Hour on the Velocity Network. Tristan Vautier, 2011 Star Mazda champion, claims the Firestone Indy Lights crown. Jack Hawksworth secures the 2012 Star Mazda title setting a new series’ record for most wins and poles in a season, and will advance to the Firestone Indy Lights series with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. On December 3, series owner and founder Gary Rodrigues announces that the series will conclude following a 22-year run. A new Pro Mazda Championship series is announced on December 7, which will be owned and operated by Andersen Promotions – administrator of USF2000 – and will fill the opening vacated by the Star Mazda Championship. On December 13, Andersen Promotions announces a partnership with Cooper Tires as the official tire and presenting sponsor and the series will now be known as the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.

Past Star Mazda Champions:

(*) Series switched from tube-frame cars to carbon-fiber cars in 2004.
(+) First season of unified national Star Mazda Championship series. From 1991 – 1999 the series crowned regional and oval-track champions.