Mazda Announces Hot Lap Challenge

Sim racing competition bridges the gap between race fans, sim racers and Mazda Motorsports

IRVINE, Calif. (April 10, 2018) – Mazda Motorsports will give race fans and online racers the chance to get behind the wheel and on track with the Mazda Hot Lap Challenge. Kicking off this weekend at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Mazda Hot Lap Challenge will provide the winner a test in a Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car.

Two paths can be taken to the grand prize of the test in a Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car. At select Mazda Motorsports events throughout 2018, Mazda's consumer display will feature a racing simulator that utilizes a Mazda Global MX-5 Cup car at Daytona International Speedway. The race fan who records the fastest lap time throughout 2018 on that simulator will earn an all-expense paid VIP trip to the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona as a guest of Mazda Team Joest.

For those who are not at the track, the Mazda Hot Lap Challenge will be mirrored on iRacing. Following the same schedule and same circuits as the at-track portion of the Mazda Hot Lap Challenge, the iRacing members who record the top-five fastest lap times will be entered in an end-of-year race where 35 racers will compete in Global MX-5 Cup cars at Daytona International Speedway. The winner of that race, which will be broadcast live on iRacing, will receive an all-expense paid VIP trip to the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona as a guest of Mazda Team Joest.

At the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the two winners of the Mazda Hot Lap Challenge will face off in a head-to-head battle on the simulators at Mazda's consumer display with the winner earning a test in a Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car.

The Mazda Hot Lap Challenge is open to legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age. iRacing membership is required for participation in online qualifying. For complete rules and regulations, as well as to register for the Mazda Hot Lap Challenge, visit iRacing.com/MazdaHotLapChallenge.

Mazda Hot Lap Challenge Schedule

April 13-15 — Grand Prix of Long Beach — IMSA

May 25-27 — Lime Rock Park — Pirelli World Challenge

June 29-July 1 — Watkins Glen International — IMSA

August 3-5 — Road America — IMSA

August 24-25 — Gateway Motorsports Park — Mazda Road To Indy

September 7-9 — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca — IMSA

October 11-13 — Road Atlanta — IMSA

Mazda Motorsports

Mazda Motorsports boasts the most comprehensive auto racing development ladder system of any auto manufacturer in the world. The Mazda Road to 24 (#MRT24) program offers a number of scholarships to advance drivers up the sports car racing ladder, beginning with the Global MX-5 Cup series and culminating with the Mazda Prototype team. The Mazda Road to Indy (#MRTI) is a similar program that includes Mazda-powered categories of USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights. In grassroots road racing, more Mazdas race on any given weekend in North America than any other manufacturer. Follow all of the latest news at MazdaMotorsports.com, @MazdaRacing on Twitter, and MazdaMotorsports on Instagram and Facebook.

Photo credit: Mazda
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