Mazdaspeed has announced 15 of the 19 semi-finalists for the shootout. The question is; is Aaron going to submit a proposal?

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GT1 - 88 Camaro 1LE/Nissan 200SX
GT2 - 90 CRX/Nissan 200SX
GT3 - 88 CRX/1975 Civic/1997 Acura Integra
GT4 - 93/2000 Mazda Miata
GT5 - 89 Suzuki Swift GTI
GT6 - 86 CRX
ITE - 88 Camaro 1LE
ITA - 89/90 CRX Si
ITB - 85 Civic 1500S/89 Suzuki Swift GTI
ITC - 85/86 Civic
SM - 93/2000 Mazda Miata
Targa NL - 88 CRX Si
Rally Sprint - 95 Del Sol VTEC
Unlimited - All of the above!

That's weird I was going to email you today about this very subject. My personal thought , not that it means anything, is Aaron has it all. Skill, smarts, schoolin, looks, desire, money of the sponsorship type, everything they would be looking for including youth. Not to mention the experience, help, and support of two previous winners. He has everthing to gain and nothing to lose. Hopefully he goes. BUT if he maintains his stance on not going, can we send someone else? I think Mike would do well . If not it would be such a wasted opportunity. I would volunteer but I have none of the above qualities. Please let's start a campaign of encouragement. Literally. GO Aaron GO.


Aaron just substitute he with you if you read this, so it doesn't appear like I'm talking about you, instead of to you.

Just did substitution myself it's actually quite funny. Should perhaps substitute the word after he as well.

+1 go Aaron, one of the finest drivers I have ever seen, and I've seen a ton of them, some so so, some not so so so, some decent, some better than average. Aaron, you are way better than average.

Just my 2 cents worth.

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" I was crying so hard, that when I was breaking, tears were streaming down my visor. " Jean Alesi after winning the Canadian GP on Fathers Day, on his birthday, driving a Ferrari with Gilles Villeneuve's # 27 on his car. I was there, my first GP as a marshal, 1995.

I agree Aaron, go for it!

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ASCC VP Membership
'01 DHG Mustang Bullitt #16
'22 Golf R

Aaron, you are our best chance. Go for it! For the experience alone will be worth it!

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1997 Talon TSi AWD
2008 EVO X MR

Race it, Aaron-one Kenpettipas - You're our only hope!

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"Congratulations, May, you're going to make history. You'll be the first person to the North Pole who didn't want to be there." - J. Clarkson Top Gear Arctic Special

"An F1 car should be so difficult to drive that only 10 people in the world should be able to race it well, and ten others should have a decent chance of survival" - J. Villeneuve

I completely agree that you should go.

_________________
https://my.flightradar24.com/Sadokist
http://www.twitter.com/sadokist
2017 Circuit Mont Tremblant Fall Classic - 3rd GTC
2017 Jack Canfield Memorial 3 Hour Enduro - 1st Overall
2019 CASC-OR Celebration of Motorsport - 1st GT2
NBSCC Race Director

OK I'll explain again on how this all works. Currently Aaron does NOT have an invite to go to the shootout. At this stage, there are 19 semi finalists. They are only going to select 4 or 5 to go out of 19. For him to be considered, he'd have to create a high level sponsorship proposal including a youtube video that is better than the rest. Several judges will select the finalists. Of the 19 semi-finalists probably 6 or 7 wont apply. Those people have lots of reasons why they would not want to do the MX-5 cup. If Aaron wants to submit a proposal, he will have to do a ton of work in order to create a top shelf proposal. I know I spent a lot of time & effort on mine when I submitted it 2 years ago. I was a lucky one as they selected me as 1 of the 4 shootout contestants.

_________________
GT1 - 88 Camaro 1LE/Nissan 200SX
GT2 - 90 CRX/Nissan 200SX
GT3 - 88 CRX/1975 Civic/1997 Acura Integra
GT4 - 93/2000 Mazda Miata
GT5 - 89 Suzuki Swift GTI
GT6 - 86 CRX
ITE - 88 Camaro 1LE
ITA - 89/90 CRX Si
ITB - 85 Civic 1500S/89 Suzuki Swift GTI
ITC - 85/86 Civic
SM - 93/2000 Mazda Miata
Targa NL - 88 CRX Si
Rally Sprint - 95 Del Sol VTEC
Unlimited - All of the above!

I think we all know somewhat how it works. We all understand there is quite a commitment. I as well as the others that have posted feel that Aarons chances are very good and a chance like this does not come around too often. If I had anything to offer I would help any way I could, obviously I don't. If it were me going to the party I could see people not getting too excited. Aarons got what it takes. One thing is for sure. If you don't submit you won't win. Just seems like a waste if he doesn't. Especially where Mike was so close and he definitely would continue. Good promotion for the track as well. All of this is really none of my business. In any case, I respect Aarons decision whatever he decides. Just trying to give a little nudge if he was on the fence. All said.

I meant I agree with peer pressuring Aaron to go.

I was keeping to the point because that way, he can't cavil.

Go Aaron, if I had the opportunity, I know that I would try my hardest.

_________________
https://my.flightradar24.com/Sadokist
http://www.twitter.com/sadokist
2017 Circuit Mont Tremblant Fall Classic - 3rd GTC
2017 Jack Canfield Memorial 3 Hour Enduro - 1st Overall
2019 CASC-OR Celebration of Motorsport - 1st GT2
NBSCC Race Director

Nobody from Canada in this year's Mazda shootout. Sorta sad, but I guess expected since our series fell apart. There are 24 nominees in the first round, all from pretty high-profile backgrounds. Here's the text from their press release, including the list of nominees (sorry, but the pics and links don't cut-and-paste well):

Who will be the next MRT24 Scholarship Winner?

On November 15-16 some of the most talented grassroots Mazda racers will take part in the 2016 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout. (To play the never-before-seen video from last year's shootout, click here.

MRT24-Shootout-Group-2015.jpg

This two-day shootout, to be held at the NOLA Motorsports Park, will determine the winner of the $100,000 Mazda Motorsports Scholarship to compete in the 2017 Battery Tender Mazda Global MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires.

Currently, there are 24 nominees. These nominees were selected from the ranks of the SCCA (club racing and autocross), NASA, Teen Mazda Challenge, and iRacing. From here, fewer than 10 will compete as the finalists at NOLA. Those finalists will be announced on October 28 on http://www.MazdaMotorsports.com.

The 24 MRT24 Finalists:

1) Joshua Allen, LaVerne, California – NASA West PTC Champion
2) Michael Carter, Savannah, Georgia – At Large Nominee – SCCA Spec Miata
3) Matt Cresci, Los Gatos, California – At Large Nominee – NASA Spec Miata
4) Dillon Dexter, Central City, Nebraska – NASA East PTD Champion
5) Warren Dexter, Central City, Nebraska – NASA East PTE Champion
6) Brian Garfield, Mount Airy, Maryland – At Large Nominee – SCCA SOLO
7) Charlie Hayes, Walnut Creek, California – NASA West PTD Champion
Justin Hille, Ypsilanti, Michigan - SCCA Runoffs Spec Miata Champion
9) Dan Howard, Columbus, Ohio – NASA West PTE Champion
10) Tyler Kicera, Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania – NASA East Spec Miata Champion
11) Ryan Kowalewski, Indianapolis, Indiana – At Large Nominee – SCCA T4
12) Daniel Langon, Alamo, California - Teen Mazda Challenge Western Region Champion
13) Brian Lock, Santa Cruz, California – NASA West NP01 Champion
14) Ethan Loree, Albuquerque, New Mexico - Teen Mazda Challenge Rocky Mountain Champion
15) Matthew Machiko, Wexford, Pennsylvania - SCCA Runoffs Formula Mazda Champion
16) Ryan Norman, Aurora, Ohio, SCCA Runoffs Formula Atlantic Champion
17) Max Nufer, Wildwood, Missouri – At Large Nominee – SCCA Spec Miata
18) Matt Reynolds, Boerne, Texas – SCCA Runoffs E Production Champion
19) Matt Rivard, Kansas City, Missouri – NASA East NP01 Champion
20) Nick Sommers, Nevada City, California – NASA West Spec Miata Champion
21) Deriann Taylor, New Braunfels, Texas - Teen Mazda Challenge Texas Region Champion
22) Jon Van Caneghem, Marina Del Rey, California – NASA West Super Unlimited Champion
23) Stacy Wilson, Englewood, Tennessee – SCCA Runoffs GT3 Champion
24) TBD – iRacing Global Mazda MX-5 Combine Cup Champion

I have to admit to having a strange fascination with the shootout, probably just because a couple of people from our series made it all the way to the finals. That was a really big deal, more than some folks seem to realize.

Anyway, a bunch of this year's SM nominees video pitches are posted here (if you've got a few minutes and want to see the level of competition involved):

http://mazdaracers.com/topic/5990-odds- ... t/?p=94854

Yeah it was a fantastic experience for me in 2012. They did say to us that particular year the end scoring was so close between the 4 of us that it was difficult to select an overall winner. I went there as a 50 year old and the oldest competitor to date. I absolutely didnt expect to win it and im glad they picked Patrick Galliger. He certainly was a worrhy winner.

_________________
GT1 - 88 Camaro 1LE/Nissan 200SX
GT2 - 90 CRX/Nissan 200SX
GT3 - 88 CRX/1975 Civic/1997 Acura Integra
GT4 - 93/2000 Mazda Miata
GT5 - 89 Suzuki Swift GTI
GT6 - 86 CRX
ITE - 88 Camaro 1LE
ITA - 89/90 CRX Si
ITB - 85 Civic 1500S/89 Suzuki Swift GTI
ITC - 85/86 Civic
SM - 93/2000 Mazda Miata
Targa NL - 88 CRX Si
Rally Sprint - 95 Del Sol VTEC
Unlimited - All of the above!