{"meta_title":"9 Things You Need to Know About the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Cup Race Car \u2013\u00a0Feature \u2013 Car and Driver","meta_description":"You want details on Mazda's newest race car? We've got them\u2014and hot photos of the MX-5\u2014at Car and Driver.","meta_keywords":"2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Cup, race car, series, single-make, spec, sports car, 2014 Los Angeles auto show, L.A., Skyactiv, MazdaSpeed","news_keywords":"2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Cup, race car, series, single-make, spec, sports car, 2014 Los Angeles auto show, L.A., Skyactiv, MazdaSpeed, cars, car news","related":[{"link":"http:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/flipbook\/the-full-360-view-mazdas-hot-2016-mx-5-miata-cup-race-car-in-the-round","img":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Mazda-MX-5-Cup-Car-112-876x535.jpg","title":"ND Round: 360-Degree Photos of Mazda\u2019s Hot 2016 MX-5 Miata Cup Race Car"},{"link":"http:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/news\/2016-mazda-cx-3-photos-and-info-news","img":"http:\/\/media.caranddriver.com\/images\/14q4\/638371\/2016-mazda-cx-3-photos-and-info-news-car-and-driver-photo-648014-s-429x262.jpg","title":"2016 Mazda CX-3 Debuts, Already Owns All Other Compact Crossovers"},{"link":"http:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/flipbook\/the-5-hottest-concept-cars-of-the-2014-los-angeles-auto-show","img":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Hottest-Concepts-117-876x535.jpg","title":"The 5 Hottest Concept Cars of the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show"}],"slides":[{"id":170975,"title":"2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Cup Race Car","body":"If you're looking for an affordable, easy-to-jump-into factory-backed racing series, the MX-5 Cup is tough to top. This single-make SCCA Pro racing series has pitted identically-kitted MX-5 Miatas against one another at events tacked on to major race weekends with NASCAR and IMSA since 2006. And it's getting a major update for the 2016 season: A new car.\n\nThis isn't the same old MX-5 Cup racer story, either\u2014the new 2016 MX-5 Miata Cup car will, for the first time, be sold by Mazdaspeed Motorsports in ready-to-race turnkey form, straight from the factory in Hiroshima. The ND-generation MX-5 Miata Cup car pictured here is for now only a concept, but, when Mazdaspeed finalizes the racer's specs by March 2015, a killer race-ready Miata will go on offer for under $45,000. Sign us up.","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"0","model_id":"0","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/ND-Race-Car-Things-Placement.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/ND-Race-Car-Things-Placement-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/ND-Race-Car-Things-Placement-876x535.jpg","make_name":"","model_name":"","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":170947,"title":"The incredible plug-and-play race car","body":"Today, would-be MX-5 racers must order a Mazdaspeed racing conversion kit and then convert a civilian Miata. The 2016 MX-5 Miata Cup car, on the other hand, will roll off the same assembly line as the production roadster, but it will be fitted complete with a full roll cage and fire-suppression system without the driver turning a wrench. About 100 cars will be built in the first year, with half slated for U.S. customers and the rest headed for Asia and Europe.","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"3","model_id":"3","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Hottest-Performance-Cars-1031.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Hottest-Performance-Cars-1031-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Hottest-Performance-Cars-1031-876x535.jpg","make_name":"Mazda","model_name":"MX-5 Miata","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":168785,"title":"80 percent of the parts are stock","body":"The MX-5 Miata Cup is a stock car in the truest sense. Cold-air intakes and Mazdaspeed exhaust headers are the few modifications drivers are allowed, while the 2.0-liter four-cylinder is locked to prevent any internal tampering. The race exhaust runs through a catalytic converter, too, and the stock six-speed manual, dashboard, and body carry over. That lets Mazda make production changes to the roadgoing Miata when it uncovers issues on the track, such as misfiring engine coils or broken shift forks, that warrant changes to series production parts. ","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"","illustrator":"","make_id":"","model_id":"","submodel_id":"","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2016-Mazda-MX-5-Miata-Cup-race-car-103.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2016-Mazda-MX-5-Miata-Cup-race-car-103.jpg",876,535,false]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2016-Mazda-MX-5-Miata-Cup-race-car-103.jpg","make_name":"","model_name":"","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":170744,"title":"Data acquisition\u2014it has it","body":"The thick, quick-release suede-wrapped steering wheel incorporates detailed instrumentation and telemetry, as well as LED shift lights along the top that flash a bright purplish-blue light at redline. The stock gauges, shown here, will be blacked out on the production version to avoid distraction.","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"3","model_id":"3","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1021.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1021-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1021-876x535.jpg","make_name":"Mazda","model_name":"MX-5 Miata","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":170749,"title":"A passenger seat is optional(!)","body":"A second Sparco racing seat can be bolted into the right side of the MX-5 Cup\u2019s bare floor if you\u2019d like to give somebody one hell of a ride. Air conditioning, despite the controls shown on the concept, will not be installed or available as an option. A roof and windows aren't included, either, but you didn't need those, did you, racing champion?","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"3","model_id":"3","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1071.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1071-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1071-876x535.jpg","make_name":"Mazda","model_name":"MX-5 Miata","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":170756,"title":"Some of the pretty details may go","body":"As good as this concept looks, in all likelihood, Mazda will paint the salable cars in white and leave off any decals and niceties (such as the flashy red sill trim seen here) so that race teams can wrap the vehicles in their own liveries. Mazda is toying with offering nonwhite factory colors like this gorgeous, deep red, which we think is a great idea.","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"3","model_id":"3","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1141.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1141-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1141-876x535.jpg","make_name":"Mazda","model_name":"MX-5 Miata","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":170754,"title":"Less weight, more filling","body":"The street-legal ND MX-5 Miata is expected to weigh close to 2300 pounds. The race car, despite removing most of the regular model's creature comforts, likely will weigh roughly the same once the steel roll cage and other safety equipment are added. Current MX-5 Cup regulations require a minimum weight of 2600 pounds with the driver. Given how much lighter the 2016 Miata is than the outgoing NC (an estimated 200-pound difference), that restriction likely will need to be pared back.","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"3","model_id":"3","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1121.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1121-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1121-876x535.jpg","make_name":"Mazda","model_name":"MX-5 Miata","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":170743,"title":"An affordable race car? Yep.","body":"It really is affordable. Okay, so it\u2019s not LeMons cheap, but then again, the MX-5 Cup car is a fully vetted, brand-new race car guaranteed to work flawlessly out of the box. Weekend entry fees are $500 (there are 12 races at six events each season). Everything else\u2014parts, tires, gas, hotels, and lots of Red Bull\u2014is on your dime or the race team's. Many of those teams also rent out seats during the series to amortize the costs, thus making Miata racing even more inclusive and easy to join. Compared with dropping 25 grand for a spot in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series, the MX-5 Cup can be swallowed in one gulp. And if you win the annual shootout during the first week of December, Mazda will cover the majority of your season costs. ","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"3","model_id":"3","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1011.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1011-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1011-876x535.jpg","make_name":"Mazda","model_name":"MX-5 Miata","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":170745,"title":"This Miata could take you pro","body":"One detail Mazda did have set for the 2016 Global MX-5 Cup is quite the tasty morsel: Win the final race of the season, in which the best from around the world compete for the championship, and Mazda will give you a one-day test in their Skyactiv prototype that competes in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship. It could very well be you\u2014or that high-school kid in the next car. Exciting, no?","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"3","model_id":"3","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1031.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1031-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1031-876x535.jpg","make_name":"Mazda","model_name":"MX-5 Miata","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""},{"id":170753,"title":"Deliveries start soon","body":"Racers can look forward to taking the first MX-5 Cup car deliveries in December. Final power figures and exact specs for the 2016 MX-5 Miata Cup car are forthcoming, but Mazda has never allowed racers radical performance upgrades. When we finally drive the nonracing 2016 MX-5 Miata, we\u2019ll have a solid idea for what to expect from the Cup car.","mimetype":"image\/jpeg","photographer":"Michael Simari","illustrator":"","make_id":"3","model_id":"3","submodel_id":"0","images":{"original_src":"http:\/\/blog-admin.cddev.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1111.jpg","large":["http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1111-876x535.jpg",876,535,true]},"src":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MX-5-CUP-CAR-DETAILS-1111-876x535.jpg","make_name":"Mazda","model_name":"MX-5 Miata","submodel_name":"","year":"","submodel_alias":""}]}