TOPEKA, Kan. – MAZDASPEED chose the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show to announce the 2010 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup schedule. The 2010 schedule keeps with the theory of the latest MX-5 vehicle updates; making small changes to an already strong product.

In creating the 2010 schedule, Mazda sought to reduce travel costs for MX-5 Cup teams while increasing the amount of track time. It was also important to minimize conflicts with other major race weekends and give MX-5 Cup participants the opportunity to experience the best race tracks in North America. With a total of 11 races on eight weekends, it appears as though Mazda has done just that.

“Developing a schedule is a complex task and Mazda appreciates the efforts of the tracks and sanctioning bodies in meeting our racers needs,” Alternative Marketing Manager for Mazda North American Operations Jim Jordan said. “The use of three doubleheader weekends allows our teams to maximize race time, while minimizing travel costs.  With our partners at Playboy, BFGoodrich Tires, and SCCA Pro Racing, we have a well developed program and are looking forward to another great year of racing.”

The 2010 MX-5 Cup season will begin where 2009 ended, in Alton, Va., at VIRginia International Raceway. MX-5 Cup will race alongside the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series on April 23 - 25.

The series has a quick trip south to Braselton, Ga., the following weekend. There, MX-5 Cup will take part in the Classic Motorsports Mitty at Road Atlanta for the fourth year in-a-row, April 30 – May 2.  

MX-5 Cup will return to its birthplace, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, in Monterey, Calif., May 21 – 23. Round Three of the series will be a part of the Monterey Sports Car Championships Presented by Patron with the American Le Mans Series.

The first of three doubleheaders will take place at New Jersey Motorsports Park, in Millville, N.J., June 25 – 27. MX-5 Cup will once again be part of an all-Mazdaspeed weekend.

The series will have a month off before the next doubleheader, July 30 – Aug. 1, at Autobahn Country Club, located just outside of Chicago, Ill. Like New Jersey, the event will host all of the Mazdaspeed Ladder series, including two MX-5 Cup races.

MX-5 Cup then begins a northward trek, first stopping at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., Aug. 20 – 22, before crossing the Canadian border the following weekend to race at Mosport international Raceway, Aug. 27 – 29. Both events are with the American Le Mans Series.

Just like 2009, the 2010 season will end with a doubleheader. Rounds 10 and 11 will be held at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. The MX-5 Cup finale will run alongside the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series finale, Sept. 10 – 12.

2010 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Calendar

* Double race weekend