Recent Miata Wins You Might Not Have Heard Of

There’s always some awesome racing happening around the globe with these little roadsters. Sometimes, though, the really exciting wins can fly under the radar. That’s why we’ve rounded up a few recent Miata triumphs that deserve more love. From endurance races in tropical conditions to hotly contested sprint finishes on legendary tracks, here’s your rundown of some serious Miata glory.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway – October 2023 (Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich)

The MX-5 Cup is all about super-close competition. These ND Miatas are basically identical, which means driver skill, and a bit of racecraft wizardry, makes all the difference. Add in the fact that this was the final round of the season at Indy’s famous road course, and you’ve got a recipe for edge-of-your-seat action. Across two back-to-back sprint races, the top 15 qualifiers were separated by just over a second, leading to intense drafting wars down Indy’s long straights. In Race 2, a three-way battle for first erupted in the closing laps, with the winner ultimately crossing the finish line half a car length ahead. Not only did that secure the race win, it also clinched the season championship in one jaw-dropping photo finish.

Batangas Racing Circuit, Philippines – January 2024 (Petron Makabayan Endurance Cup)

The Batangas Racing Circuit spans 3.7 kilometers of high-speed corners, a tricky backstraight, and unpredictable weather that can flip from sunny to rainy in no time. Team MSCC Mazda Miata brought their trusty #55 MX-5 to defend their prior success, and defend they did. In the four-hour race, they set a blistering pace right from the start and swapped out drivers every hour to keep everyone fresh. With clean, efficient pit stops, they never lost momentum. The two-hour race that followed was more of a sprint, and light rain tested everyone’s grip levels. But #55’s balanced chassis helped the team maintain consistent racing lines without too many adjustments, leading to wins in both races. It was their second consecutive double-victory, proving their preparation and the Miata’s reliability are tough to beat, even in shifting conditions.

Sebring International Raceway, Florida – March 2024 (NASA Endurance Event)

Sebring is notorious for its rough, bumpy surface and hot, humid Florida weather. It’s a track that can punish stiffly sprung cars and push cooling systems to the brink. Despite that, a trio of Miatas (NA, NB, and ND) tackled the event head-on, each run by grassroots-level teams. Thanks to the platform’s efficient engine design, none of the cars faced major heating issues, and the teams were able to dial in softer suspension setups to cope with Sebring’s rough concrete sections. All three cars snagged top finishes in their respective classes, proving yet again that Miatas can handle long, grueling races just as well as higher-powered machines, especially when you combine good prep with the deep well of community knowledge.

Brands Hatch, United Kingdom – May 2024 (Mazda MX-5 SuperCup)

Brands Hatch Indy is a short, twisty track famous for Paddock Hill Bend, a steep drop that rewards gutsy late-brake maneuvers. Rain clouds often loom over a British spring, and this year was no different. Qualifying for the UK-based Mazda MX-5 SuperCup was incredibly tight, with the top ten qualifiers separated by just half a second, setting the stage for heart-pounding racing. The finale came down to the last lap, when the leader made a daring late-braking move into Paddock Hill Bend, crossing the line 0.2 seconds ahead. That tight margin showed off both the finesse of the ND Miata in wet conditions and the skill of the drivers who thrived on the Indy Circuit’s challenges.

Road America, Wisconsin – August 2024 (SCCA Majors Tour – Spec Miata Class)

For many club racers, Road America’s 4.048-mile track is the ultimate test of speed and strategy, especially in the Spec Miata class, a fan-favorite division known for massive grids and razor-thin time gaps. Over 40 cars entered, and the top ten qualifiers were all within a single second. With its long straights and elevation changes, Road America encourages clever drafting games, and the final lap was a masterclass in slipstreaming. The eventual winner timed a draft pass perfectly heading into Turn 5, then managed to stay ahead through Canada Corner to secure a dramatic photo-finish victory. It was another shining example of how the Miata’s balanced chassis and moderate power combine to create some of the most exciting grassroots racing out there.

In legendary circuits, endurance tests in unpredictable climates, the Miata has repeatedly proven it can outshine heavier, more expensive cars. These recent wins are just the latest proof that, when in capable hands, the Miata is a giant-killer. If you haven’t been keeping track of these global events, now’s the time to tune in, because Miata mania isn’t slowing down anytime soon.