Mazda MX-5 Cup series on the radar for Oz

Mazda Australia says it is seriously considering a local version of the MX-5 Cup as part of a broader suite of racing options in Australia.

With the global MX-5 Cup going from strength to strength and Toyota receiving excellent exposure with its inaugural 86 racing series in 2016, Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak said the manufacturer was now seriously exploring options for a racing series in Australia.

Under serious consideration is an Australian version of the MX-5 Cup, a series that could get underway as early as 2018.

"Obviously we've bought a couple of cars and imported them," Doak said. "Everyone who drives the car loves it but we know we have to make a decision one way or another. We're just in the process of gathering information to see whether it's feasible or not.

"We're finding out how we would physically do it and then once we gather that information, which we will do over the next few months, then we'll make a decision.

"We've had dealers express interest in buying a Cup car, not so much for running it in an MX-5 Cup, but for more general racing. That's feasible as well. We just have to work out how it works, but we're starting that process properly and we will come to a conclusion in the next few months."

The make-up of domestic racing is undergoing serious change at present. Supercars is sorting through its future strategy, recently announcing a new Super Utes concept based on humble diesel dual cab utilities. Several other categories are undergoing significant change.

One of the big success stories for 2016 was the inaugural Toyota 86 racing series, which was both oversubscribed with entrants and received significant sponsorship backing and national exposure.

Doak made clear that Mazda would not simply replicate Toyota's formula, and believes a Mazda-run series would have a significant point of difference despite the two donor cars sharing the same basic philosophies.

"I think the MX-5 racing globally has always been about giving people an affordable entry into motorsport, that amateur angle," he said. "That's probably where our focus would lie instead of trying to copy what someone else has done. That would probably be more the angle that we're looking at.

"That's the question you need to answer: are you doing this for publicity and exposure or are you doing it for other reasons? Obviously the MX-5 is an iconic sports car and we've got loads of brand advocates over the years.

"We have to have all those discussions and make those calls. Globally the series is more about amateur racing."

Doak said there would also be opportunity for Mazda to tap into the global MX-5 Cup, should a local series get off the ground.

"If we did MX-5 Cup in Australia, [tapping into the global series] would definitely be part of it. No question," he said.

"These things take time to set up. If it ever happened it would be 2018 at the very earliest, maybe 2019 would make more sense. We'll see."