107 replies to this topic

[MPR22]

Who do you think wins this year?  Another gamer?   Or will Spec Miata shine like it did in the days of yesteryear?

[Danica Davison]

Who is all in it?

[Jim Drago]

Who is all in it?

All the runoffs and Nasa Champs East/West winners ( in Mazdas) and a few at large bids picked by Mazda.

 

 

Hoping that a few SM drivers are going to get the at large bids. It would be nice to see if one of the young guns got an at large bid and get a chance.  

 

 

Kicera has been planning all year and seems like the odds on favorite IMO.

 

Jim

[Johnny D]

The 2016 Mazda-powered SCCA National Runoffs Champions are as follows:
•    Matt Reynolds, Boerne, Texas – E Production Mazda MX-5 Miata
•    Justin Hille, Ypsilanti, Michigan - Spec Miata
•    Matthew Machiko, Wexford, Pennsylvania - Formula Mazda
•    Ryan Norman, Aurora, Ohio, Formula Atlantic Swift 016a Mazda
•    Stacy Wilson, Englewood, Tennessee – GT3 Mazda RX-7

 

The Mazda-powered NASA Eastern States Champions are as follows:
•    Tyler Kicera, Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania - Spec Miata
•    Matt Rivard, Kansas City, Missouri – NP01 Mazda MZR
•    Dillon Dexter, Central City, Nebraska – PTD Mazda MX-5 Miata
•    Warren Dexter, Central City, Nebraska – PTE Mazda MX-5 Miata
•    Mark Burt, Deland, Florida – ST3 Mazda RX-7 -

 

The Mazda-powered NASA Western States Champions are as follows:
•    Nick Sommers, Nevada City, California - Spec Miata
•    Brian Lock, Santa Cruz, California – NP01 Mazda MZR
•    Jon Van Caneghem, Marina Del Rey, California – Super Unlimited Elan-Mazda MZR
•    Joshua Allen, LaVerne, California – PTC Mazda MX-5 Miata
•    Charlie Hayes, Walnut Creek, California – PTD Mazda MX-5 Miata
•    Dan Howard, Columbus, Ohio – PTE Mazda MX-5 Miata -

[Preston Pardus]

Kicera and Hille.

[JRHille]

I'm going to try. I have a lot of work to do on the business end, there will be some other more well rounded and prepared candidates that will be tough to beat!

[Johnny D]

I'm going to try, but I think Kicera is the most well-rounded.

 

This was last year...

 

The criteria for the shootout is to identify the aspiring professional racer who has the best range of skills required to succeed. These skills include speed, consistency, race craft, technical feedback and off-track business, marketing and PR skills. - See more at: http://www.mazdamoto...T.8X8fqkRu.dpuf

 

To advance to the next level, the 23 semi-finalists will submit a business proposal and a short video presentation from which the finalists will be selected. It is anticipated that there will be six to eight finalists. The finalists will be announced the week of October 19, and the final shootout will be at Carolina Motorsports Park, in Kershaw, South Carolina, on November 8-10. The racers will be tested on the track for their driving skills and in the garage for their technical understanding of the sport. This is a winner-take-all competition; there is no second place. - See more at: http://www.mazdamoto...T.8X8fqkRu.dpuf

 

J~

[Bench Racer]

I'm going to try. I have a lot of work to do on the business end, there will be some other more well rounded and prepared candidates that will be tough to beat!

Justin, lean on your business team mates on the business end for support.

[Tyler Kicera]

Mazda had originally announced in the September grassroots update that it would be held next Friday at Michelin Laurens Proving Ground.  It does appear based on today's press release regarding the conclusion of the NASA Western Championships that it will be held in the middle of November at NOLA.  

 

Lots of great Mazda competitors have earned their spot.  It should be a very competitive group!

[Jim Drago]

I'm going to try. I have a lot of work to do on the business end, there will be some other more well rounded and prepared candidates that will be tough to beat!

Justin

You deserve to be there as much as anyone.. You need to check that doubt at the door! Put in the work and get your program together, you have the benefit of one of the worlds most recognizable Motorsports company on your side and the others don't, use them! Sorry to be so blunt, but go there to win or dont go at all!  

Best of luck to all of you. 

Jim

[Tom Sager]

Spec Miata drivers should fare very well in the selection.  Battle tested for sure on the track and that same tenacity and focus should translate well in other portions of the process.  Good luck to Hille, Kicera, Reynolds and Sommers who have all been winners in this class for more than just this year. 

[Richard Astacio]

Justin, lean on your business team mates on the business end for support.

 

All Goldilocks has to do is smile......

 

All jokes aside Justin, you have what it takes, grab the bull by its horn...You were voted by your peers for a Mazda award. 

 

If you need anything let me know you have my cell...

[MotoFusi]

It will undoubtedly be another gamer. Ultra fast in the MX 5 at every track. Justin Hille who also happens to be the SM National Champ. You got this buddy!

[JRHille]

Thanks for the confidence booster guys!

 

 

On a side note, I would be very surprised if they didn't pick Michael Carter as one of the "at large" nominees.

[Danica Davison]

My money is on Hille because he is fast in the car and is a fast little nerd gamer on iracing too! lol 

[Ron Alan]

How did those considered "favorites" do in recent years?

 

With the exception of last year...the 4 previous years have all been SM drivers I believe...but not always the SM driver some expected! 

 

Was last year the first year they narrowed the field before anyone actually came to the track? Driving skill aside, that first impression of a business plan and video will be key. Best of luck to all who choose to participate!

[Alberto]

I'm rooting for Charlie "Hollywood" Hayes

[38bfast]

From what I understand is the vision of the scholarship is to go to someone that without it could not claimb the racing latter without the scholarship.

[Johnny D]

From what I understand is the vision of the scholarship is to go to someone that without it could not claimb the racing latter without the scholarship.

 

[Charlie Hayes]

Wow I got a vote!

Pretty awesome to finally get to the semi finals for this shootout. I will put together my entry when I get word of what's needed. 2016 has been good so far, time to keep the ball rolling.

Lots of well rounded, very talanted guys in that list. Kicera and Hille will be tough. Watching Sommers grow to where he is now has been quite amazing also. Don't forget Daniel Lanigon from TMC West, fast go kart kid.

Who knows?