This morning iRacing released big changes to their online racing simulation platform. While there are a variety of changes, users immediately latched onto one: The 2016 Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car is now available free to all users.
“The newest Mazda MX-5 embodies the classic top down, sports car characteristics that have made previous generations of MX-5s genuine classics: an engaging blend of power, nimble handling and comfort in an affordable package. iRacing is proud to have contributed to the design and development of the MX-5 which, like its predecessors, quickly became the world’s most raced production car with the Battery Tender MX-5 Cup in North America and similar series in Europe and Asia. Each year the international Mazda MX-5 competition culminates in the crowning of the Global MX-5 overall series champion during the Global Finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.”
If you’re skeptical, here’s the car making a lap of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Learn more about iRacing and membership packages at iRacing.com.
Located just off Highway 521 in Kershaw, South Carolina, Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP) is the only purpose built road racing facility in the Carolinas. It sits on 280 acres about an hour south of Charlotte, North Carolina, and 45 minutes northeast of Columbia, South Carolina. Organizations such as the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and NASCAR use CMP’s track for both testing and racing.
Formerly an old World War II fighter-training base, the CMP circuit layout was created by famed track designer Alan Wilson whose company, Wilson Motorsport, has worked on other celebrated courses such as Le Circuit Mont Tremblant, Barber Motorsports Park, Miller Motorsports Park, GingerMan Raceway and Beaver Run Motorsports Park.
In July 1999, the full 2.27-mile CMP road course opened. It consists of 14 corners, 4 left turns and 10 right turns. Technically, the longest straightaway is between Turn 7 and Turn 8 at slightly over 1,800 feet. However, the stretch between Turn 8 and Turn 11 is more than 2,500 feet and cars can clip along there pretty good.
This is the first year SCCA Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack is visiting CMP. In fact, CMP is the first event on the 2016 SCCA Track Night in America schedule with an April 7 date, which is a Thursday. Other dates for CMP this year, all Thursdays, include May 26, June 23, July 21 and August 25. Be sure to reserve a spot now for CMP so you don’t miss your chance to run at this fabulous facility.
Register now for the 2016 TireRack El Toro ProSolo, scheduled for April 8-10 in Irvine, California. Before we even get to the awesome reasons why you should compete (80 degrees through February, anyone?) the biggest and most important, number one reason to attend is that this could be the last-ever ProSolo at El Toro.
Last year’s “Goodbye to El Toro ProSolo” has been humorously replaced with this year’s “Second Annual Goodbye to El Toro ProSolo.” The runways at the El Toro Marine Base are slowly but surely being transformed into homes. Last year was thought to be the final year we would compete on this wonderful surface that resembles the “concrete beach” at Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska, and this year is no different.
So, get your racecars to El Toro and hit the accelerator hard at the SCCA’s first ProSolo event of the season. Spots are filling up fast, and you don’t want to miss out. Once you add your name to the entry list, come and enjoy these six other great perks of the ProSolo:
1. The weather/spring break
Who wouldn’t want to spend a weekend in So Cal in April? Beaches, sun, warm weather, Orange County has it all. Plus, if you’re coming to San Diego the week before for the Oceanside Match Tour, this is the perfect end to your week.
2. Disneyland–only 17 miles from El Toro!
The happiest place on earth. Celebrating their 60th year. ‘Nuff said.
3. Newport Beach and Laguna Beach
Uh, hello, beautiful beaches and sand for miles. Boardwalks filled with shops, good food and treats, and people-watching… go ahead, dip your toes in the water, rent a kayak, or go whale watching! Oh and those careless hyper car owners parking on the street in Corona Del Mar…
4. Angels games
That’s right you baseball fans–Major League Baseball is back and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim host the Texas Rangers in a four-game home stand the same weekend as the ProSolo. The games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are all in the evening, so no excuse not to catch a few innings.
5. Irvine Spectrum
This outdoor shopping center, located just across Interstate 5 and minutes from El Toro, is the perfect place for good eats and local shops. With a carousel, giant wheel, and IMAX movie theater, this is the perfect place to take your kids or spouse for a fun evening after walking course until dark.
6. Stiff competition
It may be early in the season, but Southern California produces multiple national champions every year. Come see how you stack up against some of the best in the country, and push your car to even greater heights.
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