As one of the top teams in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich, Copeland Motorsports is set to expand their program. Working with Mazda Motorsports, Copeland Motorsports will take on, train, and prepare drivers for the next step in their motorsports career all while offering an unrivaled scholarship program.
“Our goal is to bring drivers from the karting ranks to cars and help them be successful,” explained Dean Copeland. “We will train them both on and off the track, how to be a good driver and team player, how to dress and market themselves, communication, engineering and more. We want drivers to advance in our program as a complete package.”
While Copeland Motorsports works with competitors, they will also offer a $60,000 scholarship for drivers looking to take the next step with them.
Copeland Motorsports Driver Development Program Criteria:
- Compete in seven or more Spec Miata race events with Copeland motorsports – First two events will be at Homestead and Sebring in January with remaining dates to be determined
- Copeland will offer full support, race prep, equipment transportation, and more
- During the season Copeland motorsports will teach marketability, dress code, sponsor partner relations, data, and team communication.
- Tyler Gonzalez will be the Copeland Motorsports Pro Driver and Coach and will be driving the team car. Tyler will be on track at all events to work firsthand with drivers, all data from each event will be overlayed to Tyler’s and sent to Mazda Motorsports for evaluation.
Following the successful completion of the seven-race Spec Miata program, competitors will receive a special invitation to the Copeland Motorsports Invitational; a two-day event at a to be determined track where all participants will be evaluated both on track and off track for speed, performance, driver feedback, understanding of data and analysis, driver attitude amongst other key areas to produce the complete driver.
An overall winner of the Copeland Motorsports Mazda Driver Development Program will be chosen by panel of judges including but not limited to Tom Long who is a judge in the Mazda Shootout as well as a longtime motorsports coach and driver, Dean Copeland, Kevin Copeland, Tyler Gonzalez, and Dan Williams with the winner of invitational receiving $60,000 scholarship towards a full season of Mazda MX-5 Cup with Copeland motorsports in 2024.
Copeland added, “We are a business, but we are also racers that love to win. This is an amazing opportunity for any driver that wants to learn both the business and winning side of motorsports.”
Stay tuned for more details coming soon…
Photo Credit: Ignite Media