The most exciting spec series in North America today, MX-5 Cup puts up-and-coming road racers into identically equipped Mazda MX-5s and lets them showcase their driving skills at eight prestigious North American racing venues.

The series experienced thirty percent growth in 2007, boasting fields of 25 to 30 cars at each race. Its fast-paced and vibrant attitude is a perfect match with Playboy.

"We are excited to be working with Mazda on this program and can't wait for the season to begin," Playboy Vice President and Publisher Lou Mohn said. "We look forward to putting all of Playboy"s brand assets into high gear to leverage this initiative and reach racing enthusiasts and Playboy fans alike."

With the support of Playboy, MX-5 Cup will continue to put on one of the best, and most affordable, shows in racing. MX-5 Cup remains an integral part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder, awarding an MX-5 Cup car to one outstanding Mazda club racer for the past two years and presenting the MX-5 Cup Champion with a Mazda ride in the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship.

"This is a great way for us to grow the series and reach an audience of enthusiasts who may not have had the chance to see an MX-5 Cup race in person", noted Jim Jordan, Alternative Marketing Manager, Mazda North American Operations.

This isn’t the first time SCCA Pro Racing has sanctioned a series with the Playboy name, the Playboy United States Endurance Cup brought four classes of showroom stock cars to six events in 1985. Thirteen years later, one of the world’s best know publishers has joined up again with SCCA Pro Racing.

"We’re thrilled to have such an established brand associated with what is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new series." SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Bob Wildberger said. "MX-5 Cup gets better every year and I’m eager to see what the 2008 season has in store."

A new title sponsor isn’t the only upgrade for MX-5 Cup in 2008. Expect track records to fall all season long with the introduction of the new Kumho ECSTA V710 spec tires.

"We're excited to be back with the Mazda MX-5 Cup series," Rudy Consolacion, Motorsports Manager for Kumho Tires U.S.A said. "This series features some of the closest racing in the U.S., and we've made some improvements to the ECSTA V710 that should help make the races even tighter. We simply tweaked the compound and construction to improve the tire’s performance."

Despite the fact that 2007 hasn’t even come to a close, the 2008 MX-5 Cup season is on track to be the best yet. If you can’t wait until April for more MX-5 Cup racing, watch SPEED, Saturdays at 2 p.m. (EST) in December, to relive the 2007 season.