Free Pro Mazda Test for National Champ

[WorldSpeed]

WORLD SPEED MOTORSPORTS ANNOUNCES RISING STAR AWARDS FOR 2007

Test will go to BF Goodrich Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda Champion

AUGUST 14, 2007
Sonoma , CA

The World Speed Motorsports Rising Star Award has been helping young racers move up the open wheel racing ladder for years. Some past Rising Star Award winners have included Scott Speed, Michael McDowell, Brad Coleman, Joey Hand, Cole Whitt, Alan Scuito, & Ryan Phinney. Many of these drivers have gone on to win in upper level open wheel, stock car, and sports car races all over the world. The 2007 winners will receive a pro level test in a Pro Formula Mazda with coaching provided by Standing Start Driver Development.

Considering the announcement of the Mazda open wheel ladder that can take a driver from karting to Champ Cars, and the over 15 year affiliation that World Speed has had with Mazda, World Speed Motorsports has decided that one of this season’s Rising Star Awards will be presented to the champion of the BFG Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda. Additional WSM Rising Star Awards are expected to be announced in the upcoming weeks.

“We are blown away by the amount of support Mazda has brought to the North American racing community,” stated WSM Operations Manager Mark Milazzo. “Finally there is a solid ladder system that will take a talented racer from karting all the way to Champ Cars. We have been assisting young talented drivers up to the top levels of racing for years, and with Mazda’s extra push we expect to be able to help them even further.” World Speed Motorsports won the championship in 2006, and has won more Formula Mazda championships than any other team.

Mazda's winning association with automobile racing is marked by legendary accomplishment and extraordinary innovation. Through race sponsorship, team support, pro/amateur driver backing, and its MAZDASPEED nameplate, Mazda is accelerating the addition of new success stories to its historic racing timeline of racing accomplishment. The new Mazda North American Motorsports Ladder is the latest way that Mazda is proving to racers that they are committed to the sport, as well as to testing their products in the unforgiving laboratory that is racing.

World Speed continues to train and develop future champions, and is hard at work testing in preparation for a full season in the 2008 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.

For more information on World Speed Motorsports: http://www.worldspeed.com

For more information on Standing Start: http://www.standingstart.com

For more information on Mazda North American Operations:
http://www.mazdausa.com

For more information on the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear: http://www.starmazda.com

For more information on the BFG Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda: http://www.skipbarber.com