This year there will be a new mx-5 race series, to bring spectators a trackside thrill. Tracey Sparling asks the organiser of the new Ma5da Racing for a preview.

Many of us are looking forward to seeing MX-5s race again this year. But for the first time ever, MaX5 Racing will run parallel to a new series - the Ma5da Racing Production Class, as part of the Nippon Challenge.

The two series both launch this month, with identical spec cars, on many of the same circuits. If they have enough funding behind them, some drivers could even sign up to take part in both series.

In the breakaway series Ma5da Racing, MX-5s will be out on the circuit at the same time as eight or nine other Nippon Challenge cars, including Mitsubishi Evos, Honda Civics and RX7's.

Jonathan Blake, series coordinator for Ma5da Racing has raced MX-5s since 2004 and currently owns seven race-prepared 5s, plus three for the road.

"I suppose you could say that's slightly excessive," he agreed, "but they are such good cars. The MX-5 is one of the best sports cars ever designed, and it was very technically advanced for its time when you think it was created in the 1990's. I never wanted one before I test drove one, but then I was sold"

He added: "When I meet Owners Club members I wonder what they think of us abusing the cars they love!"

Jonathan is one of the five drivers who decided to start up a new series after becoming dissatisfied with MaX5 Racing.

Ma5da Racing's technical advisor Alyn Robson who's jumped ship from MaX5 which he helped found. He produced the original design of, and built the first MaX-5 race car.

Jonathan said: "from day one MaX5 grew in popularity and it became almost an overnight success, but I think people lost sight of what went into building it. I've been a strong supporter of MaX5, but this is a chance to make the series more customer-driven. I was surprised that so many drivers signed up for Ma5da Racing so quickly, but it's really heart-warming and encouraging to see."

Around 30 drivers have signed up, including former British Touring Car driver Eugene O'Brien and MaX5's 2007 joint champion Jonathan Greensmith.

But won't another race series dilute the grid numbers, and appeal?

Jonathon Blake said: "It's about making sure that drivers who enjoy their racing have the same type of racing as before, but with more information so they can do things well in advance of racing. All our forms and pledges are on our website, and the costs are low as well - £pound;250 for a double header, and the same price for a triple header which can cost £pound;350 elsewhere."

He added: "My motto is you can't always please everybody all the time but we can please the majority most of the time."

The team plans to apply for Championship status later this year, and if granted the series will be known as the ‘Ma5da Racing Championship' in 2009 - which will be stand alone racing for MX-5 Mk1 race cars only.

Distribution

6000 UK MX5 owners

250 Mazda dealerships