One Mazda powered club racing champion will earn a founded ride in the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup, valued at $75,000. For the sixth consecutive year, Mazda will assist one talented racer to make the leap from club racing to the professional ranks. That racer must demonstrate skills both in the cockpit and in the business arena, proving that they have the total package to succeed.

To be eligible for the shootout the racer must first win a recognized club racing national championship with Mazda power. Over 200 racers competed in the recent SCCA Runoffs, NASA National Championships, and the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Challenge. From those races, ten Mazda powered champions emerged. Each was then invited to submit a business proposal. A team of invited judges reviewed the proposals and selected the finalists.

The finalists for the 2011 shootout are:
Elivan Goulart 2011 SCCA Spec Miata National Champion
Elliott Skeer 2011 NASA Teen Challenge (West) Spec Miata Champion
Nathanial Sparks 2011 NASA Spec Miata National Champion

The three finalists will travel to Buttonwillow Raceway for a one-day shootout on Monday, November 7, 2011. The shootout is far beyond just measuring "Who is fastest?" since each racer has already proven their ability to win a championship race. The shootout measures all aspects of a driver, including: Fast lap times, Lap time consistency, Technical feedback and knowledge, The ability to write a comprehensive business plan for motorsports success, PR and media skills. Shootout judges include driving legends and past champions, team owners, race engineers, marketing executives, and motorsports journalists.

"In the racing world, speed is critical, but the intention of this program is to see who has the other technical, business talents and communication skills necessary to succeed in motorsports long-term. Our goal remains to help support the next up-and-coming talent," noted Steve Sanders, MAZDASPEED Motorsports Competition Manager.