With the 2020 season all but behind them, Copeland Motorsports is preparing for 2021. Taking on the final round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge next weekend at Sebring International Raceway with the teenage duo of Tyler Gonzalez and Tyler Maxson, the multi-championship winning team has also put the finishing touches on their internal driver advancement program.
The Copeland Motorsports advancement program compliments the already existing Mazda Road to 24 ladder system that offers contingency for drivers to achieve their dreams & aspirations of professional sports car racing. As a well-established, already proven successful MX-5 Cup championship caliber team, Copeland Motorsports is offering additional contingencies for drivers competing in the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires that have interest in advancing their professional career & joining the Copeland Motorsports TCR efforts in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. With the MX-5 Cup Champion already earning a $200,000 prize on behalf of Mazda, they could be awarded by Copeland Motorsports a $75,000 credit towards TCR efforts, all but funding their 2022 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season.
“Our goal is to advance drivers up the ladder and to do so with Copeland Motorsports,” explained Dean Copeland. “If a driver competes in the complete Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires and wins the championship, they will receive a $75,000 credit towards the following TCR season with Copeland Motorsports. Additionally, if a Copeland Motorsports driver finishes second or third, they will receive $50,000 and $25,000 credit towards the following season TCR efforts within the Copeland Motorsports program. This is in addition to the already established series prizes. It is a win – win for our MX-5 Cup drivers and us as a team.”
With the acquisition of the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires by the IMSA organization and the combination of event schedules, Copeland Motorsports has introduced their new internal ladder to advance drivers to the upper echelons of motorsports. Any Copeland Motorsports drivers competing in the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires that finish in the top-three in the series points will earn a credit towards a Copeland Motorsports TCR program in 2022.
Taking a majority of the 2020 season away from the popular Mazda paddock due to a changing schedule, COVID-19 and a different focus, the 2019 Championship Winning team is set to return with a vengeance.
Copeland continued, “After winning the championship in 2019 with Bryan Ortiz, 2020 was looking good for us with five drivers set to compete. With COVID putting a damper on racing around the world, we had some drivers that were forced to work on their businesses, and we had to make the difficult decision to not compete this season. We were always committed to returning in 2021 and would like to do so with another championship winning performance.”
With the 2021 season kicking off in January, Copeland Motorsports is ready to start a test program for any interested drivers. Please contact us today to inquire.
Photo Credit: Copeland Motorsports