Drivers, teams, family and staff celebrated a year of exceptional racing at this year’s SCCA Pro Racing SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup banquet, held in Legends Hall at Miller Motorsports Park.
In addition to recognizing the accomplishments of 2007 MX-5 Cup Champion Jason Saini and the top ten drivers in the Championship, several special awards were given out as well. Saini received $1,000 from Hawk Performance for the Hawk Hot Lap of the Year award. Saini actually tied Ara Malkhassian for the most fast race laps of the season (three), but the award went to Saini, who had the most second-fastest race laps of the year.
While accepting his Championship trophy, Saini was also presented with a suit and helmet from Mazda in recognition of his entrance into the Mazdaspeed ladder program. In 2008, Saini will advance to the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship, with a full-season ride courtesy of Mazda. Expect an announcement in the off-season regarding which team Saini will be campaigning for.
“This is a dream come true, ” Saini said.
The MX-5 Cup crews are some of the hardest working in motorsports and were given their own chance to compete head-to-head at Miller Motorsports Park for the first annual MX-5 Cup Pit Crew Challenge. Mike Yoes and Jake Oberg from Team Alara successfully installed a transmission and flywheel in 6:09 minutes and were each awarded with Skip Barber Driving Schools courtesy of Mazda. Jason Hoover and Mark Woodward from Hooverspeed came in second with a time of 6:26 minutes. Darin George and Jeremy Comerasamy of Team MER finished third.. All four received additional prizes from Mazda.
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