IRVINE, Calif. (March 14, 2016) — Mazda North American Operations has refreshed its relationship with BF Goodrich Tires for the 2016 MX-5 Cup and signed Japanese wheel maker Rays Co. Ltd. as the series' exclusive wheel supplier.
The MX-5 Cup's tire supplier since 2009, BFG has developed a series-specific version of its g-Force racing slick for 2016, according to Peter Calhoun, motorsport manager for the Michelin North American Inc. brand, in size 215/40R17.
The series, now in its 11th season, is shifting to a new chassis based on the fourth-generation MX-5 introduced last year. Mazda Motorsports is developing the new car in partnership with Long Road Racing for the North American market.
The turnkey ready-to-race Mazda MX-5 Cup car is priced at $53,000; Mazda reports Long Road Racing has more than 80 orders in hand, Mazda said. Details for the ordering process, including financing options, are available at www.MazdaMotorsports.com.
The series will comprise six double-header race weekends in 2016, starting April 29-May 1 at California's Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and concluding Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at Road Atlanta.
Japan's Rays Co. is the series exclusive wheel supplier.
“After extensive testing and evaluations, from both an engineering and business perspective, Mazda is thrilled to announce BFGoodrich Tires, and Rays as strategic partners for 2016,” said John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations.
Rays Co. has been affiliated with Mazda for decades, according to Shigeru Mine, COO of the Osaka, Japan-based company. Rays is providing an exclusive design of its Volkracing ZE40 wheel for the series.
The North American distributor for Rays wheels is Mackin Industries Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., which describes itself as the exclusive importers for Rays Wheels, Yokohama/Advan Wheels, Project KICS, MXP, Project Mu and Wheelmate for North America.
Additional information on the MX-5 Cup can be found at www.MX-5Cup.com.
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