2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Spec one-make race starts April 15

Last year, Mazda Philippines, together with the Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC), successfully held the first-ever MX-5 Miata one-make race. Dubbed the MSCC Miata Spec Series, the event saw owners and participating drivers compete for pole positions at Clark International Speedway.

Allan Uy clinched the top spot in the Shell Pro Class, Windy Imperial took first place in the Rota Masters Class, and Jamal Almario won in the GT Radial Novice Class. With the 2022 season proving popular with owners and competing drivers, Mazda and MSCC officially announced that the 2023 season will kick off next month.

That's right, this year's season will kick off on April 15. Not only that, but the 2023 Miata Spec Series will also see the drivers race at Clark International Speedway (CIS) and at Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC). The first and second legs will take place on April 15 and June 24, respectively, at BRC while the third and fourth legs will happen on August 26 and October 28, accordingly, at CIS.

Present during the inauguration of the 2023 season were key figures from Mazda Philippines, MSCC, Pilipinas Shell (the official fuel provider) GT Radial (the official tire sponsor), and B.R.M. Chronographs which will serve as the official timekeeper for the 2023 season.

These included Mazda PH president and CEO Steven Tan, Pilipinas Shell vice president and general manager for Mobility Philippines Randy Del Valle, GT Radial Techno-Commercial Manager Marvin Abela, and Yujin Tan of B.R.M. Chronograhpes. Also present during the event was Dennis Ayuyao, Race Director and Chief Operating Officer of Batangas Racing Circuit Inc.

A total of 22 drivers will be joining this year and will see three new competitors vying for the top spot. Aside from Paul Perez and Allan Uy who will once again compete, another Vios Cup veteran will be joining this year's grid, Red Diwa. Also set to join the race are Philippine motorsport figure Mandy Eduque, and Honorable Antonio “Tonypet” Albano of Isabela.

Just like last year's race, the official cup car will be none other than the MX-5 Miata. All of the vehicles will be based on the soft-top versions with a 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G inline-four and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The cars have also been modified with 24-way adjustable coilovers, aftermarket sway bars, steel braided brake lines, a custom exhaust system, a 6-point chromoly roll cage, bucket seats, a four-point harness, window safety net, a fire extinguisher, and an engine kill switch.

With the first leg all set to start next month, the drivers are already busy doing practice runs in BRC and CIS.