Star Mazda Championship

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is an open-wheel racecar driver development series in North America. Competitors use spec Formula Mazda race cars built by Star Race Cars. The original series, using first-generation tube-frame cars started in the early 1990s, with the current, high-tech, carbon-fiber car released in 2004. The series has historically included road courses, street courses, and ovals. The series' primary sponsors are Mazda and Goodyear and the cars, while purpose built for the track with carbon fiber monocoques, are powered by 250 horsepower Mazda 'Renesis' rotary engines. The series' stated goal is "to develop new race driving talent". In 2010 the series became a part of The Road to Indy.

History

The series had, in the past, held six geographic divisions, each of which held their own championship. In the late 1990s a single national series emerged as the primary venue for the cars. The series has gradually risen in importance on the American open wheel racing landscape as other comparable series such as Formula BMW Americas and Formula TR 2000 Pro Series ceased operating. In the mid-2000s the series formed a relationship with the Skip Barber National Championship and in 2010 Star Mazda became a part of the Mazda Road to Indy program, between the U.S. F2000 National Championship and Indy Lights. Through the Mazda Road to Indy program, the Star Mazda champion receives funding to compete in Indy Lights the following year.

Many Star Mazda graduates have gone on to race in top-tier open wheel series, including American Formula One and NASCAR driver Scott Speed, IndyCar Series drivers Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, James Hinchcliffe and Raphael Matos, and Rolex Sports Car Series and NASCAR driver Michael McDowell.

1983

First single-seat, tube-frame race cars powered by Mazda rotary engines built by Hayashi in Japan for use in the Jim Russell Racing School.

1984

Formula Russell makes its competition debut at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Shortly thereafter, the car became so popular that numerous regional/divisional series were established by the Russell Racing School.

1990

First year the “Star Formula Mazda” was constructed by Valley Motor Center, Inc.

1991

Star Mazda Series created by Gary Rodrigues. First-ever Star Mazda race held in June at Willow Springs Raceway, California (Winner Mark Rodrigues driving for Valley Motor Center).

1996

First Star Mazda Series race as a supporting event on an Indy Racing League weekend at the Phoenix Dura Lube 200 in March. First time a Star Mazda race is shown on national TV – ESPN. Kevin Jenkins was the race winner.

1999

Series gains additional title sponsor, becomes "Best Western Star Mazda Championship" and becomes a national professional series supporting the American Le Mans Series in its inaugural year. Joey Hand wins five of the seven races on the schedule, and becomes the first driver in series history to win four races in a row. His prize includes a brand-new Mazda Miata street car.

2001

Series re-named Star Mazda North American Championship presented by Goodyear.

2003

Mazda rotary engine re-introduced in a production vehicle, the RX-8 sports car, decision made to utilize new engine in new Star Mazda race car.

2004

Current Star Mazda 'Pro' car introduced, featuring a carbon-fiber chassis and 250 hp Renesis, two-rotor rotary engine (same rotary engine used in the current Mazda RX-8). Car designed by Star Race Cars; chassis built by Elan Motorsport Technologies. Series changes name to Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Michael McDowell becomes second driver to win four races in a row; wins Series championship.

2005

Raphael Matos becomes third driver to win four races in a row; wins series championship.

2007

MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder created to provide funding for champions in various Mazda-powered series to move up in class. Dane Cameron becomes the first Star Mazda Champion to move up to the Atlantic Championship via the MAZDASPEED Ladder.

2008

Joel Miller, the 2007 Skip Barber Pro Series Champion, becomes the first driver to move up to Star Mazda via the MAZDASPEED Ladder. Star Mazda changes from rolling starts to standing starts to better prepare drivers for moving up to Atlantic and Champ Car.Series changes from bias-ply racing slicks to radials designed specifically for the series by Goodyear. Goodyear has been the sole tire provider for the national series since its inception. Both Goodyear and Mazda signed 5-year extensions of their title sponsorship of the series, through the end of the 2013 season.

2009

Raphael Matos becomes first StarMazda driver to race in each Mazda-powered series (Skip Barber, Star Mazda, Atlantic) and graduate to IndyCar.

The Star Mazda Championship car undergoes its first major mechanical upgrade since it was introduced, including aerodynamic package, engine and suspension modifications, etc. Upgrade package, designed to make the car easier more reliable and easier to maintain, lower the cost of competition and make it easier for the driver and engineer to hit the 'sweet spot' in the car's handling and performance, is offered to teams, but use is not mandatory.

Atlantic Championship announces it is canceling 2010 season. 2009 Star Mazda Champion Adam Christodoulou is teamed with 2008 series champion John Edwards to campaign a Mazda-backed RX-8 in the Grand-Am GT1 category for 2010. Duo wins first race in 4st start.

Oval races re-join the Star Mazda schedule for the first time since 2006; events include Milwaukee Mile (winner Anders Krohn) and Iowa Speedway (winner Peter Dempsey)

2010

IRL 'Road to Indy' program announced, along with creation of IRL-sanctioned USF2000 championship. USF2000, Star Mazda Championship and Indy Lights series named official series on the Road to Indy. First 'Road to Indy' race held with all three series at the same event: Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Conor Daly winner).Conor Daly becomes fourth driver in Star Mazda history (including Joey hand in 1999, Michael McDowell in 2004 and Raphael Matos in 2005) to win four races in a row; goes on the win the championship. Star Mazda TV package includes syndication to 155 million homes worldwide.

2011

Mazda announced as title sponsor of Mazda Road to Indy driver development program that includes scholarship funding for champions at each level to move up and compete in the next higher series; USF2000 > Star Mazda > Indy Lights > IndyCar. Star Mazda schedule extensively revised to include six IndyCar weekends, co-feature weekend with Indy Lights and participation in IndyCar 'Spring Training.' Andretti Motorsports joins the series, becoming the first team to compete at every level of the Mazda Road to Indy, including IndyCar. Five drivers from 2010 series test Indy Lights cars, two drivers (Anders Krohn and David Ostella) announce full-season Indy Lights programs.

Specifications

• Constructor: Star Race Cars / 10639 Glenoaks Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331 / (818) 686-3350
• Engine Displacement: 79 in³ (1.3 L) Wankel rotary engine
• Gearbox: Hewland 6 Speed Sequential Manual Transmission
• Weight: 1090 lb (495 kg) dry
• Power Output: 260 hp (194 kW)
• Fuel: 100 octane gasoline with oil pre-mix (VP Star Mazda 100)
• Fuel Capacity: 19 U.S. gallons (72 liters)
• Fuel Delivery: Electronic fuel injection
• Compression Ratio: 10:1
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Wheelbase: 100.5 in (2.552 m)
• Front Track: 61.5 in (1.653 m)
• Rear Track: 58.5 in (1.485 m)
• Steering: Manual, rack and pinion
• Tires: Goodyear Eagle radial racing slicks and rain tires, manufactured by Goodyear for Star Mazda

Champions

References

External links

• Star Mazda Championship Official website