Latest news with #MazdaMotorsports
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
First To The Finish: Docuseries Follows 3 Women Taking On The MX-5 Cup
2025. Sally Mott #15 MX-5 Cup. Motorsports is one of the toughest sports to break into. It's expensive, demanding, and requires unwavering dedication. From the cost of racing cars, tires, and fuel to training, track access, and travel, the financial barrier is huge. On top of that, sponsorships are hard to secure, and for women, the road has been even tougher—fewer opportunities, less funding, and not enough role models have made it harder to reach the highest levels. Since 2020, Mazda Motorsports has been working to change that. Through the Mazda Women in Motorsport Initiative and scholarships, they've been actively supporting female drivers in the MX-5 Cup series and beyond. Their "Challenger Spirit" philosophy aligns perfectly with the grit and determination these women bring to the sport. Now, Mazda is taking that support a step further with First to the Finish, a new Prime Video docuseries premiering on March 25. Produced by Boardwalk Pictures and GroupM Motion Entertainment, the series follows two fierce racers, Heather Hadley (#54) and Sally Mott (#15), along with BSI Racing Team Principle Shea Holbrook, as they battle through the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship Season. Historically, women in racing have rarely been in the spotlight. We see the races, but we don't often get a deep dive into their challenges, triumphs, and relentless pursuit of success. First to the Finish offers that inside look—the passion, perseverance, and sheer hard work it takes just to get on the track. In exclusive interviews, Shea Holbrook, Heather Hadley, and Brad Little (Car Chief for Sally Mott) share their stories and insights into the series. BSI Racing Team Principle Shea Holbrook, MX-5 Cup 2025. Q: You've transitioned from racer to team owner. What inspired that shift, and how has it changed your view of the sport? Shea Holbrook: "Racing for 15 years taught me resilience, strategy, and the business side of the sport. Becoming a team owner felt like a natural next step. It's about more than just winning races—it's about leadership, financial management, and making sure our drivers have the support they need. I've had to be resourceful and think outside the box. Some see career pivots as setbacks, but I see them as changing lanes—sometimes you need to slow down to gain momentum before speeding ahead again. Looking back, I realize I always envisioned this path for myself." Q: As a woman, a mother, and a former racer, what's been the biggest challenge and the most rewarding part of team ownership? Shea Holbrook: "Early on, I was often the only woman on the grid. I looked up to women like Danica Patrick, Katherine Legge, and Sarah Fisher, who carved out space for themselves in IndyCar and NASCAR. Now, we have six female drivers in the MX-5 Cup, which is an incredible shift. Success isn't about being male or female—it's about mastering your craft. But women in motorsports still face unfair labels. I've embraced a leadership style that's both competitive and personal. I believe passion and vulnerability are strengths. At BSI Racing, we're working to create those opportunities. One of our junior drivers, Riley Hutchins, is racing with us this weekend. Seeing young women progress in this sport is exactly why this work matters." Q: What sets BSI Racing apart, and how do you approach developing your drivers? Shea Holbrook: "We don't just focus on winning—we focus on building well-rounded drivers. Our coaching and engineering teams are top-notch. We teach drivers how to analyze, adapt, and improve. Some teams only look at short-term results, but we develop talent for the long run. We also emphasize teamwork. Motorsports is often individualistic, but at BSI Racing, drivers know they're part of something bigger. Another key factor? Marketing and sponsorship activation. I've worked in nearly every area of this industry, from sponsorship negotiations to media. Knowing how to position our team for long-term success is critical. At the end of the day, we're not just a race team—we're a development hub for future champions." Heather Hadley #54. MX-5 Cup 2025. Q: How did you get started in racing? Heather Hadley: "I'm from Northern California, and I fell in love with racing at nine years old through indoor go-karting. My family had no motorsports background, but I took to it immediately. After six months of indoor karting, I had won 104 out of 107 races. That's when we realized this wasn't just a hobby—it was something we needed to take seriously. We got our first go-kart and started competing locally in California. Over five years, I won five championships." Q: What do you hope viewers take away from First to the Finish? Heather Hadley: "This is the first time my full story has been told. It dives into the struggles my family and I faced—especially during the 2008 recession—and how those challenges brought us closer. Motorsports is tough, but believing in yourself and surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference." Sally Mott #15 and Car Cheif Brad Little. MX-5 Cup 2025. Q: How did you first get into motorsports? What sparked your passion and led you to where you are today? Brad Little: I got into racing and motorsports when I was pretty young, starting with dirt kart racing. Like most people in this sport, I reached a point where it became too expensive to continue. So, I decided to step away and focus on school. Interestingly, I didn't study motorsports—I went into CNC design and programming. But due to an unfortunate incident, I left that field and found my way back to racing. I started turning wrenches, learning how to set up cars, and understanding what makes them handle well. Once the racing bug bites you, it never really leaves. I was lucky to get an opportunity to step back into it later, and I've been here ever since. Q: What does a Car Chief do, and what's it like working with a young driver like Sally? Brad Little: "A Car Chief wears a lot of hats. The top priority is safety—making sure the car is structurally sound and race-ready. After that, it's all about performance—fine-tuning everything to help the driver get the best possible results. Working with young drivers like Sally is incredibly rewarding. Every racer has their own driving style, strengths, and areas for improvement. My job is to make sure she has the right setup, feedback, and confidence to push her limits on the track." Q: The documentary First to the Finish gives an inside look at what happens behind the scenes in racing. What do you hope audiences take away from it? Brad Little: "I really hope people see how tough it is to stay in this sport. There are incredibly talented young drivers in this sport who work 24/7 just to keep racing. First to the Finish sheds light on that struggle, and I hope it gives people a deeper appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes." True progress for women in racing is more than just visibility—it's about creating opportunities that foster lasting change. This means boosting sponsorships, developing grassroots initiatives, and utilizing tools like sim racing to make the sport more accessible. As more women join the sport and more behind-the-scenes stories come to light, we take significant steps toward a future where diversity and equality thrive in motorsports. First to the Finish offers a fresh perspective on the world of racing, focusing on BSI Team Principal Shea Holbrook, racers Heather Hadley, Sally Mott, and the BSI Racing Team. The docuseries showcases the grit and resilience required to navigate the challenges of racing in the highly competitive Mazda MX-5 Cup, while also driving progress toward greater inclusivity and broader competition in the motorsport industry.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mazda celebrates 35 years of MX-5 Miata at Daytona
Mazda unveiled it's 35th Anniversary Edition MX-5 Miata at the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Marshall Pruett covers the roadster's racing heritage including a first-look walkaround. Presented by RACER's Trackside Report is presented by Mazda Motorsports. Mazda supports racing and racers at every level from regional track days all the way to the IMSA WeatherTech Championship. At Mazda, racing isn't just what they do; it's who they are. click to learn more about Mazda Motorsports and the Mazda MX-5 originally appeared on Racer
