The history of the MaX5 championship dates back to the debut of the Mazda MX-5 in the UK. In the 1990/1991 season a championship was organised by the national Mazda dealership.

In 2003 the MaX5 championship is started by a group of friends looking for an affordable alternative in which close competition is the main objective preferably rear wheel drive, low weight and good balance. In 2004 the series kick-off with 15 MX-5's and per race more drivers joined. More and more drivers began to realise that this was a fun class where the results depend on the ability of the driver.

In the autumn of 2006 Mick Hoogwerf, out of pure enthusiasm for the Mazda brand and motorsport, contacted the MaX5 organisation. They were enthusiastic which resulted in him and his brother Yardy together with a group of English drivers, under which founder of the first hour Alyn Robson and Jonathan Blake, taking part in the newyear race in January 2007 at Zandvoort. Although experienced in the much faster Westfield it was a unique experience. This should be possible over here as well is what Mick thought. Already at that moment there was interest from MX-5 Club members under whom Rudy Schilders, now technical advisor for MaX5.
Core of the idea: Affordable racing for anyone whatever their talent or budget with a fun and reliable car in a friendly atmosphere!

In the summer of 2007 Hoogwerf Motorsport built the first Dutch MaX5 and after contacting the DNRT organisation we were welcomed as new series. In October 2007 the press presentation took place at Zandvoort and the first race was driven.

By the start of the 2008 season 3 cars had been build, publicity grew and the enthusiasm of the founders and participants did well for the series. By the end of 2009 8 cars were on the grid and there was a lot of publicity generated by the car that participated under the sponsorship of Mazda Motor Netherlands. Press and well known drivers like Bavo Galema and Melroy Heemskerk participated.

The growth to 16 cares came in the winter of 2009 / 2010. The support by Mazda Motor Netherlands was extended and TOTAL came as the series main sponsor. The small team of volunteers behind MaX5 was extended to warrant the unique concept and the support to mainly the inexperienced drivers in the now called TOTAL Mazda MaX5 Cup.

For the first time we saw a grid of more then 30 cars in the 2011 season. Due to the amount of work organising races and all that goes on behind the scenes Mick Hoogwerf and his wife Wilma decided it was time to hand over the series coördination for season 2012. For this season the coördination will be in the capable hand of Ron Boon, also responsible for the series in the Dutch Power Pack and the dutch Radical SR3 cup. The MaX5 cup also has a new name due to the company Ribank stepping up as name giving sponsor; Ribank Mazda MaX5 Cup.

In England MaX5 has mainly immersed into our big brother. The ma5daracing.com series of Jonathan Blake. Now the largest single make championship in the UK with more than 100 cars registered for the 2012 season. Starting as of 2010 they also organise the MX-5 NC, latest model, championship.

The regulations for the NA are almost identical to the UK series which makes it possible for drivers to compete in both championships. Towards the future we hope to grow the unique concept and enthusiastically continue to have lots of fun. You'd rather be MaX5 racing!

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