MSPM1cheLe
DRVRMOD
- :
- 2010 BMW 135i
Wow, it has been a long long long time since my last log in. For those of you that don't know me (which is probably most of you).... I used to have an MSP (Mazdaspeed Protege) and this forum was my go-to for SO many years as I used the car to launch my racing career...
I started in SCCA autocross in 2004 and then worked my way up the racing ladder with it as I moved to track days and time attack. I absolutely LOVED my MSP. I believe I sold it around 2012 or so... and for my now daily driver, a 2010 bmw 135i.
Regardless, if you're still reading, since my MSP days I have continued to pursue my racing career year after year and have done it pretty much all on my own, I got to race while being factory backed by an old company called Scion
and continued to progress from club racing to pro racing. I now race in the Trans Am series in the TA2 category and I found and own the team, Grr Racing (www.GrrRacing.com) ...
But besides all that, what brings me here is actually an announcement that was made yesterday...
I have been nominated by Mazda Motorsports for the Global MX-5 Cup Shootout! It is truly an honor and I am more than excited to feel like my career has come full circle. Obviously I will have to become a finalist in order to compete in the shootout, but I just wanted to hop on here and say hi to some OG's and introduce myself to the people that have kept this forum going
So with ALL of that - Hi
I'm Michele Abbate (formerly really well known here as MSPM1chele, but not so much anymore lol) and I can't wait to [hopefully] get back into a Mazda!
Official press release is here: MX-5 Cup Shootout Nominees Announced – Mazda Motorsports
I started in SCCA autocross in 2004 and then worked my way up the racing ladder with it as I moved to track days and time attack. I absolutely LOVED my MSP. I believe I sold it around 2012 or so... and for my now daily driver, a 2010 bmw 135i.
Regardless, if you're still reading, since my MSP days I have continued to pursue my racing career year after year and have done it pretty much all on my own, I got to race while being factory backed by an old company called Scion

But besides all that, what brings me here is actually an announcement that was made yesterday...
I have been nominated by Mazda Motorsports for the Global MX-5 Cup Shootout! It is truly an honor and I am more than excited to feel like my career has come full circle. Obviously I will have to become a finalist in order to compete in the shootout, but I just wanted to hop on here and say hi to some OG's and introduce myself to the people that have kept this forum going

So with ALL of that - Hi

Official press release is here: MX-5 Cup Shootout Nominees Announced – Mazda Motorsports