Honestly. Of course, such a Mazda MX-5 has a problem. An image problem. As a purist roadster after British custom, he just does not go through. For the Japanese is far too reliable. Too easy to handle. But because he is at the same time small, light and even more important, blessed with the classic drive layout, he is actually much better than the image of his role models. And above all, it's something that has almost been forgotten today: a driver-car. Despite its natural habitat, which makes it a pleasure to park near ice cream parlors.

How to Make Friends: The Global Cup Car on the Racetrack

Friends of MX-5

Off to the racetrack

The rubber sticks to the asphalt. G-forces that make every sundae slip out of your hand. Anyone who embarks on this adventure has thrown all prejudices overboard. As good as it can be when a coarse safety cage and a safety net fix the driver in the small cockpit. Admittedly: Getting in was a challenge for “non-standard sizes”. Opening the door works like any other MX-5. But behind it lurks the jumble of steel pipes. And a big black bucket seat with ears. Fortunately, the steering wheel can be removed with one hand movement. This is the only way to thread this little roadster. Safety net too. Helmet on. Even at a standstill, the 1.6 barks under the hood into the heart of the motorsport fanatic. Shifting the gearbox remains crisp, the clutch is standard and can also be operated. The MX-5 does not want to embarrass the racing novice, it wants to inspire. And he just does.

The Global Cup Car can be drawn sharply to the curbs. The apex is hit blindly, the grip of the rear axle conjures a smile on the pilot's face. Thanks to the crystal-clear feedback from the 215 series, the BF Goodrich slicks on the front axle specially made for the CupCar, the ideal line is found on the Parcmotor Castelloli easy.

PS numbers? You do not betray yet. The last verifications of the new cup car are still taking place in the USA. But so 170 PS should already be present. And that's the secret of the Mazda MX-5 Global Cup Car. His DNA. Instead of just killing and overstraining the driver with the fat PS shovel, the Japanese manufacturer takes a different approach.

Seriousness, fun and passion. Poured into the crisp figure of the MX-5. Made available for the racetrack. Without overwhelming amateur and semi-professional racing drivers. The less performance, the greater the learning curve. Instead of roughly exceeding the grip limit in every curve, the MX-5, as a “Global Cup Car”, is one of the racing vehicles with which you can do both: To gain access to motorsport on a financially manageable basis - and still have fun doing it . To hone your skills hour after hour, lap after lap.

That's what makes the MX-5 Global Cup Car

Under his hood still roars the standard four-cylinder with 2,0 liter displacement. A special engine control unit and a stainless steel exhaust system from a US expert tune the tone color of the intake engine, boost performance and provide a manageable cost base thanks to the serial engine. Larger coolers, however, worry about the thermal health. The manual 6 gearbox was not touched. The locking differential on the rear axle got a cooling missed. The coarsest changes the interior has to endure. Apart from the series dashboard, there is actually no interior. Bare metal, meter-long steel tubes for the safety cage.

A seat shell receives the driver, harness straps fix him. Only the plugged steering wheel allows entry and exit. The seating position is described with crisp, fixed and excellent excellently.

The chassis is upgraded with adjustable dampers and an adjustable front Stabi, corresponds in its other geometry, however, the series. Since the series MX-5 already offers an incredibly good balance, the layout also fits in the cup car. The 17-Zoll alloy wheels are specially coated by BFGoodrich developed 215 / 60 ZR 17 slick tires. Even the brake system is close to the series, as far as you order the Brembo brake system there. Only new rubbers and aftertreated brake disk and brake hoses made of steelflex are equipped. So that the brake does not get too warm, the fog lights fly out and make room for a cooling air opening.

FIA, IMSA, SCCA and NASA - but only in the United States

All regulations are met in the Global Cup Car. Regardless of whether it is an FIA cage or a fire extinguishing system. The approach taken by the Japanese to turn the ice cream parlor racer into a “racer” is being implemented with all seriousness. Unfortunately, and now we come to the “but”, the Global Cup Car is currently only available in the USA. A call to the German press office of MAZDA should clarify the costs for the import. Because even at MAZDA in DE, people think hard about how to get the Global Cup Car on German racetracks. The base price of the MX-5 in its hardcore version is around $ 50.000.

Virtual Racing

Anyone who wants to take a virtual look at the “Cup Car” can do so. And get into racing right away. Without having to leave your living room at home. And then $ 50.000 is not on the bill.

In order to push the “Global Cup Car” topic, Mazda decided to launch a vstart irtual racing series. The iRacing platform was selected to start a challenge and offers the chance to make the leap from “virtual racing” to real racing. In the end the "Mazda Laguna Raceway”In California to the best!

The German qualifying will be under the motto "Race of Your Life" carried out in cooperation with “AUTO BILD” and follows the “Defining moments” event series launched in 2015. Mazda will start the application process for this from April 22nd. (We will report again and put the link to the action website online!)

Friends of MX-5

The motto of the entire program is: “Friends of MX-5”. With four MX-5 model generations, Mazda has created an icon that you can experience in the roadster sector. A huge fan base has formed around the Japanese roadster and Mazda wants to give something back to the fans. The aim is to meet the enthusiasm of MX-5 fans with exclusive live events. Create opportunities to experience the brand and the passion. And for those who like it really hot and fast, give them a chance on the racetrack. Or tempt you to buy a “Global Cup Car”. Which we can only warmly recommend at this point. For $ 50.000, that's almost an immoral offer ...

[divider] [/divider] Come with me on a 360° lap in the Mazda MX-5 Global Cup Car at the Parcmotor Castellioli race track. At the wheel is the ex-F1 driver and Le Mans winner: Johnny Herbert!

[divider] [/divider] A lap with Alexander Bonn from ausfahrt.tv, on the Parcmotor circuit:

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