The Mazdaspeed Shootout is coming soon: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Nov. 4, 2009 11:11 a.m. Tom Heath Marketing / Club Coordinator

We just got a press release announcing this year's Mazdaspeed Shootout participants. Who's on the board?

· Ryan Ellis, 2009 NASA Spec Miata Teen Champion (West)
· Nick Evans, 2009 SCCA Formula Enterprise Champion
· Steven Gorriaran, 2009 SCCA Spec Miata Champion
· Bruce Pendleton, 2009 NASA Performance Touring E Champion
· Andy Rushing, 2009 NASA Spec Miata Champion

As an interesting side note, GRM contributor Tim Sharp will be on the panel of independent judges for the event.

Tim knows a lot of racing cars, so the candidates had better bring their "A" game.
Nov. 4, 2009 1:10 p.m. Keith PowerDork

What's the Mazdaspeed Shootout? Why does it have a judge?
Nov. 4, 2009 1:46 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

The shootout is part of the Mazdaspeed ladder program that helps drivers climb up through motorsports. This is from a year or two ago, but this page explains the program: http://www.mazdamotorsports.com/mazdaladdersystem.htm (And a quick edit, NASA and SCCA club racing champs are now included.)

Short answer, with a championship for Mazda, and they will help you move up a rung.

Since they can't award every Mazda club racing champ a funded deal, a shootout is used to award the MX-5 Cup ride. The judges look at more than lap speeds, as professionalism is also counted.
Nov. 4, 2009 1:49 p.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

Are there Playboy Bunnies involved in this?
Nov. 4, 2009 1:51 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

Dr. Hess wrote:

Are there Playboy Bunnies involved in this?

There could be.
Nov. 4, 2009 1:52 p.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

David S. Wallens wrote:

Dr. Hess wrote:

Are there Playboy Bunnies involved in this?

There could be.

Pics in The Mag?
Nov. 4, 2009 3:09 p.m. Keith PowerDork

Thanks David. For the bunnies.
Nov. 4, 2009 3:13 p.m. CGLockRacer Reader

I was so close to getting into this I could taste. 2nd Overall in the Skip Barber Mazdaspeed Shootout.

There's more to the selection than just driving though.

Out of everyone eligible (national championship winners in Mazda powered cars), everyone had to submit a business plan for the next three years. They selected the top 5 business plans, and those are the ones that got to go to the shootout in Buttonwillow. Once there, it is more testing and no racing. They want to know how well you drive, your consistency, feedback to the engineers, personality, media skills, etc.

Its an awesome competition. So close....
Nov. 4, 2009 3:20 p.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

So... You're saying that your business plan of "Finding the Bunny with the largest fake breasts and smallest real brain" was only good for 2nd place?