In April of 2006, the landscape of North American open-wheel racing development changed forever when the green flag dropped at the Long Beach Grand Prix, the first race of the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda. The race marked the beginning of a new era for the series – considered the top farm series in open-wheel racing on the continent – with a new chassis and engine combination powering the next generation of racing talent. The following year Cooper Tires would sign on to provide rubber for the racers.
For Mazda, it was also the start of another important period in its long-established involvement with North American motorsport. By supplying the series with Mazda-Cosworth motivation, Mazda is able to provide a bottom-to-top ladder for aspiring racers.
The Atlantic series joins the similarly Mazda-powered (Renesis rotary) Star Mazda Championship series as the top two rungs of its North American open-wheel driver ladder. The path from amateur-level grassroots racing to top-level open-wheel competition can now be accomplished entirely with Mazda power and support.
The Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda takes place alongside many high-exposure motorsports events. Drivers have historically graduated from the series to move to rides in Formula One and Indy Car, as well as other top international racing series. The Atlantic Championship also joins current Mazda series programs like the popular SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup series, in addition to comprehensive Mazda involvement in the American Le Mans Series, SCCA SPEED World Challenge and the Grand American Rolex series.
The Swift chassis and Mazda engine formula ensures that the championship will remain at the top of the open-wheel driver development chain by providing a challenging package for both driver and competition. Arguably just as important is that the combination of Swift Engineering 016.a chassis and 300hp Mazda-Cosworth 2300cc DOHC inline-4 engine provide a lower cost of entry; running a full season in the Atlantic series is now expected to cost in the range of $500,000-$600,000, far from the $1-2 million budgets of the series' recent past. Combining lower budgets and a state-of-the-art racecar translates into an unprecedented amount of opportunities for young drivers looking to become the next open-wheel racing star.
Mazda's incomparable involvement with driver development and motorsports in North America is another reason why it's easy to understand that every Mazda is built with the soul of a sports car. It's also why on any given weekend there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle.
For Mazda, it was also the start of another important period in its long-established involvement with North American motorsport. By supplying the series with Mazda-Cosworth motivation, Mazda is able to provide a bottom-to-top ladder for aspiring racers.
The Atlantic series joins the similarly Mazda-powered (Renesis rotary) Star Mazda Championship series as the top two rungs of its North American open-wheel driver ladder. The path from amateur-level grassroots racing to top-level open-wheel competition can now be accomplished entirely with Mazda power and support.
The Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda takes place alongside many high-exposure motorsports events. Drivers have historically graduated from the series to move to rides in Formula One and Indy Car, as well as other top international racing series. The Atlantic Championship also joins current Mazda series programs like the popular SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup series, in addition to comprehensive Mazda involvement in the American Le Mans Series, SCCA SPEED World Challenge and the Grand American Rolex series.
The Swift chassis and Mazda engine formula ensures that the championship will remain at the top of the open-wheel driver development chain by providing a challenging package for both driver and competition. Arguably just as important is that the combination of Swift Engineering 016.a chassis and 300hp Mazda-Cosworth 2300cc DOHC inline-4 engine provide a lower cost of entry; running a full season in the Atlantic series is now expected to cost in the range of $500,000-$600,000, far from the $1-2 million budgets of the series' recent past. Combining lower budgets and a state-of-the-art racecar translates into an unprecedented amount of opportunities for young drivers looking to become the next open-wheel racing star.
Mazda's incomparable involvement with driver development and motorsports in North America is another reason why it's easy to understand that every Mazda is built with the soul of a sports car. It's also why on any given weekend there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle.