2017 Mazda Motorsports Pirelli World Challenge Preview

April 28, 2017 by Mazda

IRVINE, Calif. (April 27, 2017) – The 2017 Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Championships kicks off this weekend at VIRginia International Raceway. Independent Mazda racers will be challenging for drivers' championships in the Touring Car (TC), Touring Car A (TCA) and Touring Car B (TCB) classes. For the VIR race weekend, there are 14 Mazda racers entered across the three classes, including the series debut of the fourth-generation MX-5 Cup race car.

Expectations for the 2017 season are high for the Mazda teams. In 2016:

•Mazda racers scored 21 race wins from 36 races across the three Touring Car classes;

•Elivan Goulart earned the TCA Drivers' Championship in his S.A.C. Racing Mazda MX-5;

•Mazda earned both the TC and TCA Manufacturers' Championships.

'Pirelli World Challenge has been an ideal showcase for Mazda teams moving up to the professional ranks,' said David Cook, business development manager, Mazda Motorsports. 'Last year will be hard to top, but we are eager to see Copeland Motorsports, Winding Road Racing, and Rossini Racing with the PWC debut for the fourth-generation MX-5 Cup car. We also expect to see Elivan Goulart fiercely defend his TCA championship.'