Tribute to The Sports Cars of Japan at Road Atlanta
 

I haven't officially announced it yet, but Mazda has signed on to be the Presenting Sponsor for the Classic Motorsports Mitty at Road Atlanta April 28-30.

The theme is "The Sports Cars of Japan" to pay tribute to the Japanese cars that rocked the motorsports world. As you may know, the RX-7 holds the record for the most IMSA wins of any car model ever made. We are expecting at least 1,000 Japanese cars in the infield and I'd like to see RX-7's of all generations show up to support the rotary. Mazda will bringing out several famous IMSA GTU, GTO, GTP and LMP cars for display and for racing. Additionally, Jim Downing and other famous Mazda racing legends will be on hand for autographs and seminars.

We have commissioned world famous motorsports artist Hector Cadematori to create a piece of original art depicting the Racing Beat #7 and #17 RX-7's at Road Atlanta as they took the IMSA GTU championship at Road Atlanta in 1980. The new poster art will be distributed soon.

This event has grown by leaps and bounds since Classic Motorsports magazine has been involved and it will continue to grow even more with Mazda behind it.

I really hope to have a chance to meet everyone as this will be an amazing gathering. For those of you who haven't been to the Mitty or don't know anything about it, check out the following links to see what kind of cars were on track last year:

http://dvwphoto.smugmug.com/keyword/walter%20mitty/1

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/sel...hard_Sloop&O=0

In addition to those cars, we'll have the KUMHO MINI Coopers and new Lotus Elises available for participants to autocross. Keep an eye on the main page of ClassicMotorsports.net as the next few days you will find a link to a Web site dedicated to the Mitty.

Spread the word around this and other rotary forums - it's going to be amazing.

Regards,
Bill MacDonald

You know... I have a 1st gen. (79)... I would love to run that weekend...however HSR has made their entry fee's so "ungodly"....it makes it almost impossible to enjoy the weekend. Last year the entry fee was something like 450 dollars!!! eeeeeeek!

Man...thats two club racing events in SCCA!


Any idea of what the entry fee's are?

any chance this will get some tv coverage? I'd love to see this..freakin awesome

Well, as far as running a car on track - there will be two feature races:

1. All Mazda
2. All Japanese

Yes, the entry fees are a bit high compared to an SCCA club race - and your car has to have some history behind it.

There will also be "Sports Cars of Japan" parade laps around Road Atlanta with Mazdas leading the pack. If you want a little more excitement than parade laps, a fast version called "Track Touring" will be available.

I also haven't officially announced this yet, but Grassroots Motorsports magazine, MAZDASPEED, and BSI Racing will be building an MX-5 Cup car over 13 segments of Sports Car Revolution. The car will be on display at the Mitty. The first show airs Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:30 p.m. on SPEED CHANNEL.

The Sports Car Revolution Crew will be at Road Atlanta for the Mitty. Bring your car - it may wind up on TV!

My car is an old IMSA car. "Racer Carrols" old car... As far as history... What exactly would you need... I have raced many times at the Mitty and just registered...showed up...raced... Never had to show any history... I imagine it is still the same way... Cars have to be of a certain age...yes...

Entry fee for this year is $475... Lord have mercy... thats half my morgage payment!

is this also a spectator event? if so, whats the price to go for that?

This year you may have to pre-register because we are expecting to reach full race track capacity. Yes, the entry is a bit high compared to other races, buy you know how different the race atmosphere is as compared to an SCCA club race.

As far as spectators, yes - it is a ticketed event and advanced tickets are only $35 for a three day pass. Keep an eye on ClassicMotorsports.net for all the official ticket and corral info. It should be done by February 15th.

i have classicmotorsports.com bookmarked and ill check by regularly. thanks

"This year you may have to pre-register because we are expecting to reach full race track capacity."

You mean that HSR is expected to make more money than ever before??

I doubt its going to top the years the SCCA Runoff's were in there...

Track capacity....WHAT?!!!!

No... I don't.... Can you explain...Come to think of it... I usually see the same rig's and people I see at regional and national SCCA races... Formula Cars East...OPM MotorSports...Just to name a couple... To be honest....

And by the way..."Walter Mitty" Challange... Orginally a short story about how the common man triumphs over all...however...in the end 'Walter Mitty' looses...Right....??? Or has that part of the tradition been lost because of the potential to make so much money...

Road Atlanta Track Rental's are $13,000 for the weekend.

It takes $475 dollars to enter the race divided by $13,000....HOLY SMOKE BATMAN!!..... THATS 27 entrants and your talking about track capacity...which is around 350-400 RACE CARS!! Which...If the cars are ONLY entered into the SPRINT races...that totals out to be $190,000...

That does not include those who enter into the Rolex Endurace race...which is another $275 on top of the $475... It sounds more like that the "track capacity"...is more the corporation 'HSR'...is realizing....We are going to make some money this year!


Kinda takes out the common man not to mention the orginal idea...The orginal short story...... Sad...but the truth...

SCCA and HSR are two options for race enthusiasts. I recommend you run with the one you feel best suits your needs and budget. We expect all 400 race slots to be filled early with historic cars for spectators to enjoy. The more historic Japanese sports cars the better. Hope to see you there - 2006 will be a great show!

Regards,
Bill MacDonald
Classic Motorsports magazine

Any cost to park in the infield?

Dan

I'm so putting in for the time off when I get to work. Tom Turner (speedturn here and on Mazspeed) will be there with his monster PP 1st gen. :)

I'll have ticket prices up by the 15th. Right now we're leaning toward advanced sale tickets get free parking.

This is going to be a lot of fun and an awesome gathering of Japanese sports cars - especially the rotary ones. Spread the word, we're to attract 250 RX-7's in the Japanese car corral. Help me make it happen.

Can you post a link to the Hector Cadematori artwork?

I need a few more people to give the thumbs up on the new poster before I release it. There are some logo placement things that need to be approved. It'll all be available soon. I'll let you know ASAP.

Regards,
Bill

Ok I got questions. Will the ticket price allow access to the hot pits and paddock areas? Will firesuits be required in the hot pits? (Im a hands on guy and want full access, espceially if anyone needs any help wrenching/crewing) And lastly, I have my poor old IT7 FB. No history, no nothing. Is it worth bringing her along for some possible track time (my SCCA comp license is expired). Or should I just fly up and not deal with it.

Nevermind, I read the entry form. I guess Ill be flying up. Sounds like a helluva event. Cant wait for it. :)

This sounds like something I need to cover for the magazine too!

Tickets are now on sale to be part of the Sports Cars of Japan at The Classic Motorsports Mitty Presented By Mazda at Road Atlanta. Check out www.TheMitty.com for details.




http://themitty.com/images/mainImg.jpg

Haha my wing... ^^^ :D

$450 that's more than what my car is worth

$450 is the race entry fee. You can be part of the World of Sports Cars infield for $45. Autocross a MINI Saturday and a Lotus Elise Sunday.

Sound like it's gunna be a great event. I love how Mazda is always closely involved in bringing motorsports to the public.

Anyone in the Atlanta area want to get into motorsports event promotions, shoot me an e-mail at Bill@ClassicMotorsports.net