2012 Mazda MX-5 Cup at Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Company: Mazda Product: 2012 MX-5 Cup If you've ever played Gran Turismo games, you're probably at least casually familiar with some of the racing series out there. However, you may not ever have witnessed any of these races first hand. If you happen to go to the Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival, however, you'll get a chance to do just that. The Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival is an official event on the Mazda MX-5 Cup Circuit, September 22-23. The 2012 MX-5 Cup series will consist of 11 races held on eight high-profile race weekends and is the entry level of production car-based competition in SCCA Pro Racing. Local MX-5 Cup racer Elliott Skeer promises to provide a lot of that excitement. The 17-year-old senior at High Tech High from Carlsbad, CA won the Teen Mazda Challenge, leading to an invitation to compete in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. Skeer took home the biggest prize, a place competing for CJ Wilson Racing in the Mazda MX-5 Cup as a factory driver for Mazdaspeed Motorsports. Race enthusiasts who come see Skeer and the other MX-5 Cup competitors can experience a Mazda race lap of their own at the Mazda Ride & Drive exhibit. Attendees 18 and over can test-drive a brand-new Mazda vehicle themselves on the Mazda track, or ride along with a professional teacher from the renowned Skip Barber Racing School and feel what it's really like to race one of these top-of-the-line cars. Once again, all active duty, active reserve and their direct-depend military ID-holders will enjoy free admission to this year's event. Active duty military, active reservists and dependent ID-holders will not need tickets and will enter through a specially-designated gate. Admission is free for children 12 and under, both military and non-military. Thanks to our sponsors who have enabled this event to honor our nation's military in this way. "We're so proud to team up with Mazda at this year's venue. Our goal is to provide an event that members of the military can follow and really get excited about." - Cody Nelson, Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Event Manager. "It will be fun to race in front of my friends and family, and an honor to do so in front of the men and women of the Armed Forces. After months of travel it will be nice to sleep in my own bed during a race weekend. You better believe I'll work hard to win at my home track. Everyone at CJ Wilson Racing and Mazdaspeed is looking forward to a great event." - Elliott Skeer, MX-5 Cup racer For the public, tickets cost $25 for one day and $35 for both days, in advance at www.fleetweeksandiego.org. Tickets will also be available at the venue ($35 one day and $45 for both days). -Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins Related Links: Official Website for Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Official 2012 Mazda MX-5 Cup Website Official Mazda Website Official Mazdaspeed Website PlayStation Illustrated's Review of Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)