Formula
Mazda Racing, which features open wheel race cars adaptable to both
oval tracks and road courses, is conducted on several levels of competition.
Since
1991, the professionally organized Star Mazda Series has provided
the most popular format for sponsors, spectators, and upward bound
drivers.Administrative
responsibility for the series is headed by Valley Motor Center Inc.
which also constructs the Star Formula Mazda race car and oversees
a comprehensive track-side support organization for competing teams
and drivers.
The
success of the Star Mazda Series is evidenced by the fact that fields
of 30 to 40 cars have been commonplace at many races.
Drivers
in the series may also pursue any one of six divisional championships
based on geographically determined schedules (east, west, central,
southwest, southeast and northwest) in addition to the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Prizes and awards valued over $1,000,000 are distributed
annually to top series’ performers.
The
annual schedules for the Star Mazda Series have included high profile
events where Formula Mazda cars appear as the “opening act”
to some of America’s top drawing racing series. In its supporting
role, the Star Mazda Series has been paired with a variety of major
types of racing, including such headliners as the American LeMans
Series, IndyCar, ChampCar, Formula One, race trucks and NASCAR stock cars.
For 2007
the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear dates, the Star Mazda Series is
sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association and currently
appears with the prestigious American LeMans Series as well as with the Champ Car World Series and Grand Am. This series features
its own points and prize schedule and the series is cablecast nationally
in prime time on the Speed Channel Network.
Joint
appearances with big name racing programs, plus related television
coverage since 1996, have greatly increased Star Mazda Series exposure
to the advantage of both current and prospective sponsors.Exposure
is important to drivers as well since many hope that Formula Mazda
racing will advance their own driving careers. This is an objective
shared by the Star Mazda Series administrators who have designed
both the cars and the series to maximize driver development opportunities.
In
addition to the Star Mazda Series, the Formula Mazda race car may
be seen at other types of racing events. At the amateur or club
racing level, it is eligible for Regional and National championship
competition in the Sports Car Club of America’s Formula Mazda
Class. In National competition, drivers can ultimately qualify to
race for a National Championship at year’s end.
In
a typical season, Formula Mazdas will appear in over 150 pro or
amateur sanctioned races in North America.
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