2. In February 1989 at the Chicago Motor Show, Mazda launched a lightweight, affordable sports car that
would become the biggest selling two seater convertible world-wide in history. The Mazda MX 5.
From the beginning the Mazda MX 5 has proved to be a very popular car to convert for racing and there
are more Mazda MX5’S racing around the world compared with any other make of sports car. An easy car
to develop and drive the original MK1 has proved popular as an entry level sports racing car.
In 2005 the MK3 MX-5 was introduced with a 2 litre engine replacing the original 1.6 litre in the MK1.
Once again this car proved to be very popular amongst the racing fraternity and the MK3 became the most
raced 2 litre sports car in the world.
Having started racing a Mazda MX5 MK1 in 2014 and continuing to race the car in 2015 Davie will be
moving up to the MK3 for 2016.
MAZDA MX5 THE CAR AND THE PEDIGREE
3. THE BARC MAX 5 CHAMPIONSHIP
MaX5 Racing was formed in the summer of 2003, running
a successful race series in 2004, and gaining championship
status for the 2005 season. The MaX5 Racing
championship is based upon the original MX5
Championship run by Mazda in the UK in 1990/91 & the
American spec Miata MX5 Championship, which is hugely
successful and is the fastest growing form of motorsport
in the USA.
4. Like a lot of young lads Davie always wanted to be a racing driver but not ever being in a financial position to go motor racing his career took a
different path.
Davie joined the Army and ever the sportsman he took up boxing, which he was very successful at, representing his Regiment onmany
occasions.
At the time the UK was involved in helping the Afghanistan people keep control of their country and Davie’s regiment was posted out to
Helmond Province. This was the main area of fighting against the Taliban and Davie was constantly out on patrol.
It was during one such patrol that Davie’s life was changed for ever when he was blown up by an IED resulting in him losing both his legs and
spending many weeks in hospital.
It was now that Davie’s real character came to the fore and with the help of Mission Motorsport he finally got a chance to take up his dream of
being able to go motor racing. As a double amputee, Davie is one of a very few drivers that races a normally set up race car (no hand controls)
with his two prosthetic legs. This is the harder way to drive but Davie wanted to show he could race this way and be successful.
After two years racing in the Mazda MK 1 championships with much success, Davie is now ready to move into the more powerful Mazda MK3
Race Car. As they say, the past is history but this is just the beginning of a new chapter for Davie.
DAVIE BIRRELL
5. RACE CALENDER 2016 BARC MAX 5
CHAMPIONSHIP
Rounds 1-2 19 March 2016 Oulton Park, Cheshire
Rounds 3-4 23/24 April 2016 Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire
Rounds 5-6 14/15 May 2016 Pembrey Circuit, Carmarthenshire
Rounds 7-8 28/29 May 2016 Mallory Park, Leicestershire
Rounds 9-10 19 June 2016 Donington Park, Derbyshire
Rounds 11-12 30/31 July 2016 Brands Hatch, Kent
Rounds 13-14 24 September 2016 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire
Rounds 15-16 8/9 October 2016 Silverstone Circuit, Northants
6. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
A number of sponsorship packages will be made available depending on your own
personal requirements.
Are you interested in title sponsorship with the full package of benefits this entails or
are you interested in a lower investment which in turn gives the potential client less
exposure?
Packages range from £1,000 for the basic entry level offer up to £30,000 for full car
branding, entry title, a number of passes/tickets to each event (amount by negotiation)
and a number of other benefits to suit your own requirements.
The aim is to be as flexible as possible and to tailor your requirements to all the
different opportunities that are available.
Please Contact: Davie Birrell for any additional information or to discuss this proposal.
Tel: +447946685873
Email: daviesquirrell@yahoo.co.uk
A big thank you to Jonathan Elsey Motorsport Photography for supplying the pictures