MAZDA MX-5 SUPERCUP INSPIRING STUDENTS

Team members from Boreham Motorsport, the Mazda MX-5 SuperCup squad, paid a visit to Barnet & Southgate College last week to talk with the students about the forthcoming season and allow them a closer look at the team’s 2014 specification SuperCup racecar.

Students of the motorsport department are currently building their own Mazda MX-5 Mk3 to compete in the SuperCup Championship, the preparation and support of the car at race meetings being undertaken as part of their college course.

Boreham Motorsport driver, Ray Worley started by introducing himself and his daughter, Jude to the students and described their backgrounds in motorsport and his involvement in the engineering industry. He then went on to talk about the history of Boreham Motorsport, how he and Melvyn Hodgson came to set up the team and their achievements since then.

He also shared with the students his experience of sponsorship, one of the most important aspects of running a successful motorsports team. Ray spoke about ways of identifying potential sponsors, how best to approach them and what was involved in making sure that both parties benefit so as to retain those partners in the future.

He told the students about the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 SuperCup's new partnerships for the 2014 season with Racing Beat Europe, Eibach, Jetex and Pipercross who will be supplying the new upgraded parts to all teams in the championship this season.

Then came the part that the audience had been looking forward to most, getting a detailed look at Boreham Motorsports SuperCup racer. Ray spoke about ensuring that changes to the car are always well documented so as to keep track of the adjustments and their affects. He also spoke about setting the car up to give different handling characteristics and the potential differences that can be found with track conditions due to aspects such as the weather. Ray showed the students around his own car, and then looked at the car that the students have been preparing, speaking about the technical regulations and the compulsory modifications as well as the non-compulsory modifications that can prove useful in competition.

The presentation was well received by the students who showed great enthusiasm and appreciation. There was a constant stream of questions from the audience throughout and the visit was enjoyed by all.

The 2014 BRSCC Mazda MX-5 SuperCup season starts with a double header on the Silverstone International circuit on 5/6th April.