“What if the Miata can go up to 9,000 rpm?” This was perhaps the topic of the night as Windy Imperial – Steward in Miata Spec Series and one of the drivers of #55 Team in Makabayan Cup, was egging on Steven Tan, CEO and President of Mazda Philippines, to move past the stock engine for the Miata during the Manila Sports Car Club Miata Spec Series Awards Night. Currently it can only go up to 7,500. The possibilities are endless because in this stock form, the Miata cemented Mazda’s name in the racing history of the Philippines.
#55 Team MSCC Mazda Miata swept the 2025 Makabayan Cup Endurance Race that includes the 4-hour Kagitingan Cup, 12-hour Kalayaan Cup, and the 8-hour Bonifacio Cup. Add to that their 2:06.6 lap record at the Clark International Speedway during this series. All of it was done by a Miata with a stock 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine that produces 184 horses and 205 Nm of pull. Tan and his team believed that the car’s core philosophy of balance and nimble handling can win over more powerful, purpose-built cars. This year, they were proven correct.
Windy Imperial, one of the drivers for the #55, said that the biggest difference maker this year was the sequential transmission. The way the gears are spaced felt like there’s 40 more horsepower in their Miata despite keeping the engine stock. This is probably why he’s pushing for that 9,000 rpm (wink wink).
More than that, Steven Tan believes they had the dream team. Not only are all the drivers seasoned, but their crew were sharp as well. Everyone knows their duty and performs at a high level. This allowed the drivers to focus on their task which is to go hard on the track. There were challenges for sure but Tan and his team never gave up.
“It’s easy to give up and say come back next year. Not giving up is harder,” Tan said during his speech. “Our success this year isn’t just about winning a season. It is a culmination of seven years of commitment, refinement, and belief in the MX-5 platform.”
Aside from dominating the Makabayan Cup, Mazda was celebrating the conclusion of their own MSCC Mazda Spec Series that is going for its 5th year in 2026. This is perhaps the most exciting one-make race in the country as everyone was competing in equally great machinery that is the Mazda Miata MX-5.
“This series is the best way to learn how to race properly and drive hard,” said Toti Turalba, 1st place of the Concept One Masters Class division. He was followed by Bong Brobio in 2nd in this middle segment, and rounded up by Michael Jordan (not the NBA player) in 3rd.
In the younger group, Jeff Balao took 1st place at the GT Radial Sportsman Class. He was emotional when he went to the stage, saying the win was possible but never guaranteed, given the stiff competition. Luis Azcona got 2nd place and Enzo Celestino finished in 3rd.
The top tier Shell Pro Class saw familiar names. Angie King was able to get 3rd place despite missing a race – an indication of how good she was this season. Matt Solomon was in 2nd, while Tyson Sy is at the top of the podium again and also the Overall Champion for the season.
“I want to share what I learned in driving,” Sy said. “I want to share what I know [so the level of racing] here in the Philippines [gets higher and higher].”
Dennis Ayuyao, Race Director for the Miata Spec Series, echoes the effect of Sy’s statement. According to him, next year will not be a sure win for Sy as the skill level of the drivers have gone up over the years.
This is why for next year, they will re-shuffle the grid. There will be new groupings in 3-4 divisions, depending on the final number of drivers joining the race series.
The Miatas will also receive a good amount of upgrades. New CUSCO Limited Slip Differential, Pillow Ball type bushes for the suspension, and TN-R Competition Dampers will be fitted into every car. Concept One will also look into new wheel design for the series, while GT Radial Champiro SX-R will stay as the rubber of choice. Engine support and brake ducts will also be upgraded.
The MSCC Miata Spec Series will also return to the south for 2026. They will have 2 legs at the Batangas Racing Circuit, mainly because of driver demand. See the schedule below:
May 16 Mazda Fan Festa – Clark International Speedway
July 18 – Batangas Racing Circuit
September 19 – Batangas Racing Circuit
November 14 Mazda Fan Festa – Clark International Speedway
Coming from a successful 2025, 2026 will surely be an instantly intense year for Mazda in both their one-make race and their title defense at the Makabayan Cup.
