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We finished off the weekend with the Playboy Mazda MX5 cup, one of the most popular spec classes around. These cars are pretty much stock except for the safety equipment. Engine modifications are limited to a required Mazdaspeed cold air intake, ignition wires, spark plugs and battery – though the battery must be of similar amperage, size and weight. The pressure plate and clutch disc may be upgraded, as long as they are of similar size and weight, and can be bolted up to an unmodified flywheel. The stock 6-speed transmission must remain and the stock gear ratios kept. The brakes must also remain stock, but the dust/splash shields may be removed and the brake lines may be upgraded. Wheels, tires and suspension are all spec too. So everyone is running an OE Mazda 17×7 wheel, BFGoodrich g-Force R1s (225/45/17) and a double adjustable Mazdaspeed MX-5 Cup Kit suspension.
There’s not much you can do by the rules to make your car significantly faster than the competition. So the drivers have to rely on good ol fashioned skill.
Mat Pombo drove his MX5 to his first carreer win during the last race of the weekend. All the attention was on Pombo and Brad Rampelberg as they exchanged the lead 6 times in the 45 minute race. Their difference in lap times was almost immeasureable, with Rampelberg holding a small edge. Then during the second to last lap of the race they both came up on some slower traffic coming out of turn 9 which started a chain reaction that landed Rampelberg in the gravel.
And that there was the end of the race weekend. We hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage of the American Le Mans Series at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and hope you will keep joining us as we strive to bring you coverage of all kinds of motorsports. All in all it was an awesome weekend and I cannot wait to come back. Hopefully we’ll return in late July for the Moto GP Red Bull US Grand Prix! Till next time MotoIQ’ers.
