MA5DA: Split grids likely after surge in entries

Another entry boost means the Ma5da Racing MX5 Championship is set to run split grids this season.
 

Series’ organisers are predicting entry numbers to pass the 90 mark this year, meaning a re-organisation to race weekends is necessary. The changes will see cars divided into groups with as many as six 15-minute races taking place at each meeting.

Having previously ran a mixture of double and triple-header meetings, the new format will see entrants split into two qualifying groups with the results of the sessions used to establish four more groups.

Each of the six races will then feature two groups with each group meeting the others once and points awarded after each race.

“We’ve been bowled over by demand this year,” series organiser Jonathan Blake told Motorsport News. “We have worked hard to publicise the series but the cars are the main draw. They are real rear-wheel drive sportscars on a budget. They are also very progressive so a newcomer can easily get to grips with one but the racing is so competitive that it’s a real challenge for seasoned drivers.

“The downside is that we have had to cut the time of each race purely to fit everyone in, which is a loss.”

Watch Ma5da Racing MX5 Championship highlights on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545) in 2010.


Andy Wilkinson