Professional Auto Racing Comes to San Diego at 2012 Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival: Mazda MX-5 Cup Circuit

SAN DIEGO, July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival (www.fleetweeksandiego.org/events/speed-fest.html) home of vintage auto racing for the past 15 years, is thrilled to be an official event on the Mazda MX-5 Cup Circuit (www.mx-5cup.com/2012/ ), 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.  "We're so proud to team up with Mazda at this year's venue," says Cody Nelson, Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Event Manager.  "Our goal is to provide an event that members of the military can follow and really get excited about."

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.

"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," says Skeer.  "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."

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.

Military and Kids FREE

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.

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).

About Coronado Speed Festival and Fleet Week San Diego

The Coronado Speed Festival is Fleet Week San Diego's preeminent event. Fast-paced, thrilling auto racing and exhibitions for car enthusiasts of all ages mark the widespread draw of this event.  Staged at one of racings' most distinctive locations – Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of Naval Aviation – it's the only place to see live racing on an active U.S. Navy runway.

Fleet Week San Diego 2012 events will take place from September 8 through October 14. The non-profit, 501(c)(3) foundation was created by community and business leaders who understood the great depth of public support for our Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. In addition to honoring the military services through the annual Fleet Week San Diego events, the foundation's goals are to foster awareness of the contributions made by military personnel and their families; to enhance relationships between the civilian, business and military communities; to provide events that military personnel and their families can attend at little or no cost; and to promote other organizations that provide services to military personnel and their families.  Fleet Week San Diego is funded solely through the generosity of individuals and corporate contributions. More information is available at http://www.fleetweeksandiego.org/donate.html.

A schedule of the events that fall under Fleet Week San Diego is also posted at www.fleetweeksandiego.org/events.html or you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fleetweeksd or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fleetweeksd.

SOURCE Coronado Speed Festival and Fleet Week San Diego