January 8, 2002
To All Star Formula Mazda Racers:
2002 will be the twelfth year of the original Star Mazda Series, now referred to as the Star Mazda Series West to avoid confusion with the other Star Mazda Series around the country. This bulletin will review the rules for the West Division Series, which are also used as the basis for many of the other Star Mazda Series, including the nine-race North American Championship on Speedvision. The schedules for the West and for the TV Series are attached. Also included is the entry form that can be used to enter the Western Division Series, the North American Championship, either of the Masters Series, the Experts Series in the North American Championship, or any combination thereof. A fee of $750.00 is due for each of the Western and North American Championship Series. The Masters and Experts Series are not charged any additional fee.
In previous years, the TV Series scored anyone who entered any Star Mazda Series that ran on a televised date. Starting the 2001 season, you had to enter with our office and pay the $750.00 entry to be scored in the TV Championship. In 2002, each Series will be scored separately, counting only drivers entered in that Series. As always however, any legal Star Formula Mazda may run any Series race, as long as the driver holds the proper license, and the car complies with the rules. The 2002 Series Supplementary Regulations are being updated and will be published in final form soon. We will use the 2001 Sup Regs for the January Nationals.
For the West Series, drivers will be required to have an SCCA National license for all but the TV dates. The North American Championship races will require licenses from IMSA.
If you need application forms for IMSA credentials, you may request them from our office (818-620-3350), from IMSA (727-533-0503), or download them from www.professionalsportscar.com. We suggest you do it now.
STAR MAZDA SERIES GOODYEAR TIRE CODES
D R Y R O A D
Code
Compound
Front
20.0 x 7.0 13
D1026
R430
Rear
22.0 x 9.0 13
D1027
R430
D R Y O V A L
Code
Compound
Left Front
20.0 x 8.0 13
D2010
R430
Left Rear
22.0 x 10.0 13
D2011
R430
Right Front
20.0 x 8.0 13
D2620
R620
Right Rear
22.0 x 10.00 13
D2621
R620
W E T
Code
Compound
Front
20.0 x 8.0 13
--
D1340
R085
Rear
22.0 x 10.0 13
--
D1341
R085
The 430 compound will be the standard dry tire. Under special circumstances,
the Series will designate oval tires and/or the R620 compound. Spec Goodyear
rain tires may be used at any time, at the discretion of the driver.
Test days there should be open testing generally available, the day before each ALMS race schedule starts. All others will usually have testing available, through the tracks, for Thursday or Friday of race weekends. You are reminded private testing is prohibited at Series tracks, one week before each race.
In 2002, the top fifteen drivers will divide the year-end points fund. Points will be awarded to the top 35 finishers of each race. The 2002 schedule has been refined to include better dates, and to include major spectator events with the opportunity to be on TV. In most cases, 2002 races will be 40 minutes long. The size of the points fund is determined by the amount of participation. Therefore, more entries also add more prize money.
Professional races with American LeMans Series will be run with IMSA sanctions. IMSA licenses will be needed for these races. Our office has forms; if you need them, just call. SCCA National licenses will be required for all non-North American Championship races. Do not get taken by surprise!
An outline of the 2002 Star Mazda Series rules follows:
A. The top fifteen drivers will divide the year-end prize fund based on the points scored throughout the Series.
B. The schedule attached will constitute the races qualifying for West Series points. If any listed races are canceled for any reason, substitute dates will be established whenever possible, to the best of our ability. Year-end awards will be presented after the conclusion of the last event, no matter how many races are run.
C. To qualify for championship points and year-end prizes, drivers must register with the Star Mazda Series and have paid up accounts with Star Race Cars. Cars will be prepared in accordance with SCCA published rules, Series Supplemental Regulations, and Star Mazda Series bulletins. Cars must start the race on the same tires used for qualifying, although Goodyear rain tires may be substituted at any time at the driver's discretion. To qualify for points and awards, cars must display the decals required by the Series, in addition to the decals required for SCCA Club or IMSA racing. Required decals must be in colors contrasting with the paint scheme on the car and be easily visible. The 2002 spec tires will be Goodyear (430 compound for most courses, 620 compound for special situations such as on oval tracks). See the table above for tire codes. The Star Mazda Series may add, clarify or change the rules as needed at any time as they apply to technical matters within the Series.
D. Points will be awarded for the Series based on finishing order in each race, counting only Series competitors starting each event. The top 35 drivers shall be credited in order as follows: 1st - 44, 2nd - 40, 3rd - 37, 4th - 34, 5th - 32, 6th - 30, 7th - 29, 8th - 28, 9th - 27, 10th - 26, 11th - 25, 12th - 24, 13th - 23, 14th - 22, 15th - 21, 16th - 20, 17th - 19, 18th - 18, 19th - 17, 20th - 16, 21st - 15, 22nd - 14, 23rd - 13, 24th - 12, 25th - 11, 26th - 10, 27th - 9, 28th - 8, 29th - 7, 30th - 6, 31st - 5, 32nd - 4, 33rd - 3, 34th - 2, 35th - 1. A bonus point will be awarded for the fastest qualifying driver at each race. There will be a one-time registration fee of $750. Only Star Mazda cars will be eligible for scoring. Competitors must provide photos of the front and side views of their cars for registration records. Competitors must be properly entered in each championship race and obtain the credentials or licenses required by the sanctioning organization for that race. An IMSA license will be required for some races, an SCCA National license for all others.
E. Star Race Cars will support competitors at each championship event with spare parts and information as in the past. Competitors may be required to use paddock spaces designated for the Series by agreement with race organizers.
F. Each competitor should have the 2002 SCCA General Competition Rules and Formula Car Specifications. Be sure you are familiar with current rules, including tech bulletins published in Fastrack and also those issued by the Series from time to time. Questions or problems should be raised with the Series staff at the earliest possible time, so that fairness can be maintained and championship positions can be earned by driving prowess on the track and not be subject to unnecessary legal/technical entanglements. NOTE: Private testing at a Star Series track one week prior to a championship event on that track is prohibited. Test days open to all Series competitors are permitted.
G. The Series will award Goodyear tires, free of charge, to a driver or drivers determined by random drawing at each race. To be eligible to win the tires, the driver must be properly registered in the Star Mazda Series, entered in the championship for the race, and not have previously won free tires in this year's program. One and one-half sets of tires will be awarded at races with 20 or more entries and two sets will be drawn for if the event is a televised race, or if the field exceeds 30 entries. If more than one set of tires is to be awarded, the first valid winner will get one set, the balance will go to the second valid name drawn.
H. Bosch will provide one set of free spark plugs to each registered Series competitor, which should be sufficient to take care of most competitors' needs. Additional spark plugs will be available for purchase from Star Race Cars, should you need more.
I. BBS will again award a free set of FM wheels to the Series "Rookie of the Year." Any driver who has not started three Star Mazda Series races prior to the 2001 Series will be considered a "rookie" for the purpose of this award.
J. Drivers over 45 years of age before the March 1, 2002, may enter the "Masters Class." This class will be scored separately in addition to the normal series scoring. Standings will be published from race to race and a year-end award will go to the "Masters Champion." Masters points are awarded: 1st - 20, 2nd - 16, 3rd - 14, 4th - 12, 5th - 11, 6th - 10, 7th - 9, 8th - 8, 9th - 7, 10th - 6, 11th - 5, 12th - 4, 13th - 3, 14th - 2, 15th - 1.
K. You are reminded that you must enter the listed races and have the appropriate
credentials from the sanctioning body. This can be coordinated fairly easily
through our office. We will try to help; if you are unsure, call us. Jack
Brabban will return as Series Chief Steward. Suzanne Shinji will also be working
with us again this year. We are very pleased to have their help coordinating
all the at-the-track details. Todd Cook will continue the duties of Competition
Director. Tony Rodrigues will do timing and scoring and assign permanent numbers.
Our phone numbers are:
Gary Rodrigues (818) 686-3359
Tony Rodrigues (818) 686-3357
Star Race Cars (818) 686-3350
Star Mazda Series Fax (818) 686-3351
Jack Brabban (858) 560-1325
Suzanne Shinji (beeper) (714) 217-2820, (800) 767-7832 x 2196 (work)
Todd Cook (480) 967-7901
L. The North American Championship Series awards permanent car numbers 1 through
10 to the previous year's top ten drivers. In the event a top 10 driver from
2001 does not intend to return to the Series for 2002, the team that ran the
top 10 drivers car may apply for the number. Contact Tony Rodrigues to coordinate
your car number for 2002.
M. There will be a spec fuel required at all West Series and North American Championship Series races. The fuel for Year 2002 has been designated M.S.-98 by VP Racing Fuels. VP will also award $100 to the seventh place finisher at each Series race.
Any comments, suggestions, or preferences on any subject are welcome. Your survey responses were very helpful in shaping the 2002 program. Please feel free to give us the benefit of your input at any time.
Folders, videos, and marketing information are available to FM owners/drivers for sponsor presentations or press kits. Call Star Race Cars for prices and to order items for your use. A two-cassette set of all eight 2001 North American Championship races is also available.
Anything we can do to be more user friendly or valuable as an ally in your racing efforts, please let us know. We look forward to an ever improving 2002 season of racing. The 2002 schedule is enclosed. Please fill out the Series Registration and return it ASAP.
The "TV Series," will be made up of the nine races on Speedvision. These races will be scored together for additional prizes. The Star Mazda Series North American Championship points and prizes are published separately. Contact the Star Mazda Series office for details.
Sincerely,
Valley Motor Center Racing, Inc.
dba Star Mazda Series
Gary E. Rodrigues, President