Star Mazda Series
Encyclopedia
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
.
and Formula TR 2000 Pro Series
ceased operating. In the mid-2000's 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
.
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.
becomes second driver to win four races in a row; wins Series championship.
becomes third driver to win four races in a row; wins series championship.
, 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.
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
)
Formula Mazda
Formula Mazda is a class of relatively affordable open wheel formula racing.Formula Mazda has its own class in SCCA club racing, and there is a North American professional series named Star Mazda Championship that is part of IndyCar's Road to Indy ladder system. The cars are very popular; seeing a...
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
Mazda Wankel engine
The Mazda Wankel engines are family of car engines derived from experiments in the early 1960s by Felix Wankel, a German engineer...
. The series' stated goal is "to develop new race driving talent". In 2010 the series became a part of The Road to Indy
Road to Indy
The Mazda Road to Indy is a group of developmental racing series launched in 2010 managed by IndyCar with a goal being the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. As part of the program, all series participate in the three disciplines of the IndyCar Series: oval races, permanent road courses,...
.
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 AmericasFormula BMW
Formula BMW is a junior racing formula for single seater cars. It is positioned at the bottom of the motorsport career ladder alongside the longer established Formula Ford category...
and Formula TR 2000 Pro Series
Formula TR 2000 Pro Series
The Formula TR 2000 Pro Series was a Formula Renault 2.0 championship held on North America. This series created in 2004 be part of the Formula TR Pro Series that include Formula Renault 1.6 and 2.0 ....
ceased operating. In the mid-2000's the series formed a relationship with the Skip Barber National Championship
Skip Barber National Championship
The BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda is an entry-level professional race series run by Skip Barber Racing School. Initially formed as the Formula Dodge National Championship, Since 2006 the Skip Barber National has been the initial open-wheel race series in the MAZDASPEED...
and in 2010 Star Mazda became a part of the Mazda Road to Indy
Road to Indy
The Mazda Road to Indy is a group of developmental racing series launched in 2010 managed by IndyCar with a goal being the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. As part of the program, all series participate in the three disciplines of the IndyCar Series: oval races, permanent road courses,...
program, between the U.S. F2000 National Championship
U.S. F2000 National Championship
Cooper Tires presents the U.S. F2000 National Championship powered by Mazda is an American racing series using the American variation of the Formula Ford formula, "F2000", that resumed operation for the 2010 season...
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
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
and NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver Scott Speed
Scott Speed
Scott Andrew Speed is an American race car driver. Formerly a driver for the Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 team, he made his Formula One race debut at the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix; becoming the first American to race in F1 since Michael Andretti in 1993...
, IndyCar Series
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
drivers Marco Andretti
Marco Andretti
Marco Michael Andretti is an Italian American auto racing driver who drives the #26 car for Andretti Autosport in the IndyCar Series. He is the son of 1991 IndyCar World Series champion Michael Andretti and the grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti...
, Graham Rahal
Graham Rahal
Graham Rahal is an American race car driver. He currently participates in the IZOD IndyCar Series. He is the son of 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal.-Early racing:...
, James Hinchcliffe
James Hinchcliffe
James Hinchcliffe is a Canadian race car driver from Oakville, Ontario currently competing in the IndyCar Series.-Early racing:...
and Raphael Matos
Raphael Matos
Raphael Matos is a Brazilian racing driver from Belo Horizonte. He currently participates in the IZOD IndyCar Series for AFS Racing. He was the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights Series champion and the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Series champion...
, and Rolex Sports Car Series
Rolex Sports Car Series
The Rolex Sports Car Series is the premier series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. It is a North American-based sports car series that was founded in 2000 under the name Grand American Road Racing Championship to replace the failed United States Road Racing Championship...
and NASCAR driver Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell is a Senior Counsel in the Bar Council of Ireland and a former politician. A grandson of Irish revolutionary Eoin MacNeill, McDowell was a founding member of the Progressive Democrats political party in the mid-1980s...
.
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.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 HandJoey Hand
Joey Hand is an American professional race car driver. A former champion of the Star Mazda Series, Hand is best known as a sports car driver, and is co-winner of the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona driving for Chip Ganassi Racing.-Personal life:...
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.
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 250hp 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 McDowellMichael McDowell
Michael McDowell is a Senior Counsel in the Bar Council of Ireland and a former politician. A grandson of Irish revolutionary Eoin MacNeill, McDowell was a founding member of the Progressive Democrats political party in the mid-1980s...
becomes second driver to win four races in a row; wins Series championship.
2005
Raphael MatosRaphael Matos
Raphael Matos is a Brazilian racing driver from Belo Horizonte. He currently participates in the IZOD IndyCar Series for AFS Racing. He was the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights Series champion and the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Series champion...
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 MillerJoel Miller
Joel M. Miller represents District 102 in the New York State Assembly, which comprises Hyde Park, Fishkill, the Town of Poughkeepsie, Clinton, Wappinger and La Grange within Dutchess County, New York. He is a Republican....
, 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
Adam Christodoulou
Adam Robert Christodoulou is a British racing driver, who won the 2008 British Formula Renault Championship, also won the 2009 Star Mazda Championship in the United States. His cousin Riki Christodoulou is also an emerging racing driver, currently competing in British Formula...
is teamed with 2008 series champion John Edwards
John Edwards
Johnny Reid "John" Edwards is an American politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004, and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008.He defeated incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth in...
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
Anders Krohn
Anders Krohn is a Norwegian racing driver from Stavanger.After a youth in karting, Krohn moved to cars in the Swedish Junior Touring Car Championship in 2006. In 2007 he primarily raced in Benelux Formula Ford series but made a few appearances in other Formula Ford series and participated in the...
) and Iowa Speedway (winner Peter Dempsey
Peter Dempsey
Peter Samuel Dempsey is an Irish racing driver from Ashbourne, County Meath.Dempsey began his pro career in Formula BMW UK in 2004, finishing 22nd. In 2005 he finished second in the Formula Ford Walter Hayes Trophy race and won the BRDC Golden Helmet. In 2006 he finished third in Formula Ford UK...
)
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 engineWankel engineThe Wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine using an eccentric rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. Its four-stroke cycle takes place in a space between the inside of an oval-like epitrochoid-shaped housing and a rotor that...
- Gearbox: Hewland 6 Speed Sequential Manual TransmissionSequential manual transmissionA sequential manual transmission is a type of manual transmission used on motorcycles and high-performance cars for auto racing, where gears are selected in order, and direct access to specific gears is not possible....
- Weight: 1090 lbPound (mass)The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
(495 kgKilogramThe kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
) dry - Power Output: 260 hp (194 kWWattThe watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
) - Fuel: 100 octaneOctaneOctane is a hydrocarbon and an alkane with the chemical formula C8H18, and the condensed structural formula CH36CH3. Octane has many structural isomers that differ by the amount and location of branching in the carbon chain...
gasolineGasolineGasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
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 aspiratedNaturally-aspirated engineA naturally aspirated engine is one common type of reciprocating piston internal combustion engine that depends solely on atmospheric pressure to counter the partial vacuum in the induction tract to draw in combustion air...
- 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 pinionRack and pinionA rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby...
- Tires: GoodyearGoodyearGoodyear may relate to:* Charles Goodyear , inventor of vulcanized rubber* Gary Goodyear, Canadian politician*Joseph Goodyear* Julie Goodyear, British television actress* Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company...
Eagle radial racing slicks and rain tires, manufactured by Goodyear for Star Mazda
Champions
| Season | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1991 |  Mark Rodriguez |
| 1992 | Chuck West |
| 1993 | Ben Massey |
| 1994 | Brad Loehner |
| 1995 | Mark Rodriguez |
| 1996 | Rich Stephens |
| 1997 | Tony Buffomonte |
| 1998 | Ian Lacy |
| 1999 | Joey Hand Joey Hand Joey Hand is an American professional race car driver. A former champion of the Star Mazda Series, Hand is best known as a sports car driver, and is co-winner of the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona driving for Chip Ganassi Racing.-Personal life:... |
| 2000 | Bernardo Martinez |
| 2001 | Scott Bradley |
| 2002 | Guy Cosmo |
| 2003 |  Luis Schiavo |
| 2004 | Michael McDowell |
| 2005 |  Raphael MatosRaphael Matos Raphael Matos is a Brazilian racing driver from Belo Horizonte. He currently participates in the IZOD IndyCar Series for AFS Racing. He was the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights Series champion and the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Series champion... |
| 2006 | Adrian Carrio Adrián Carrio Adrián Carrio is jazz pianist from Oviedo, Spain. Carrio was born in 1986, a son of pianist parents. He started playing the instrument as a self-taught musician, when he was just 6 years old. His parents sent him to learn classical piano with Marina Santamarina, but kept also studying jazz for... |
| 2007 2007 Star Mazda Championship season The 2007 Star Mazda Championship season was the 9th season of the Star Mazda Championship, an open wheel auto racing series that competes using spec chassis and engines. The season featured 12 races over 12 weekends, with only road courses and street circuits featuring on the schedule... |
Dane Cameron Dane Cameron Dane Cameron is an American racing driver from Newport Beach, California.After karting, Cameron began his auto racing career in 2005 in the Jim Russell Racing School and Formula Russell where he won the championship. In 2006 he competed in the U.S. F2000 National Championship and finished... |
| 2008 2008 Star Mazda Championship season The 2008 Star Mazda Championship Season was a season of the open wheel racing series the Star Mazda Championship. It consisted of a 12-race schedule beginning in March and ending in October, with only the best eleven race results counting towards the championship. As with 2007, the series featured... |
John Edwards |
| 2009 2009 Star Mazda Championship season The 2009 Star Mazda Championship season was the eleventh season of the Star Mazda Championship, an open wheel auto racing series that competes using spec chassis and engines. It consisted of a 13-race schedule beginning in March and ending in October. For the first time since 2006, the series... |
 Adam ChristodoulouAdam Christodoulou Adam Robert Christodoulou is a British racing driver, who won the 2008 British Formula Renault Championship, also won the 2009 Star Mazda Championship in the United States. His cousin Riki Christodoulou is also an emerging racing driver, currently competing in British Formula... |
| 2010 2010 Star Mazda Championship season The 2010 IMSA Star Mazda Championship season was the twelfth season of the Star Mazda Championship, an open wheel auto racing series that competes using spec chassis and engines... |
Conor Daly Conor Daly Conor Daly is an American racing driver from Noblesville, Indiana. He is the son of Irish former Formula One and Champ Car driver Derek Daly.-Racing career:... |
| 2011 2011 Star Mazda Championship season The 2011 Star Mazda Championship season was the 13th Star Mazda Championship season and the second under the Mazda Road to Indy program. As part of the program's expansion, the series champion will be provided a scholarship to advance into Firestone Indy Lights for the 2012 season... |
 Tristan VautierTristan Vautier Tristan Vautier is a French racing driver.-Formula Renault:Vautier began his career in the French Formula Renault Campus series in 2006, where he finished runner-up. He moved up to the main Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0 series in 2007, finishing fourth, also competing in some events in... |