Daytona Beach, FL – Savanna Little, Mazda’s first female MX-5 Cup Shootout Scholarship winner, has signed with Hixon Motor Sports for the 2021 MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich® Tires. Little earned herself a $75,000 scholarship during the 2020 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout at Road Atlanta which took place November 15-16th. Joining Hixon Motor Sports in the MX-5 Cup and IMSA paddock marks her first professional season.
“I couldn’t be more elated, grateful and honored to have won the first female Mazda scholarship. Hixon Motor Sports proved early on they were the right team to foster my development during my first pro season as I tested with them prior to the shootout. I was hugely impressed with their professional approach. I couldn’t be prouder to be under the HMS awning for what I know will be the best season in my career to date,” said Little.
Little, a first-generation racer, was first introduced into racing through her professional modeling career where she worked for Monster Energy and Nissan Motorsports. She went on to campaign her own Mazda club racing programs where she not only drove but also supported her own efforts. Most refer to Little as a gearhead, and that she is. Little in the years past built and maintained her club racing cars. More recently, she competed in the 2020 Spec MX-5 Challenge Championship which qualified her for this year’s shootout.
Team Owner, Bryan Hixon, looks forward to Little’s professional debut.
“Coming off a 2020 season-end podium for the team with Justin Piscitell on the Streets of St. Petersburg (FL) and being awarded the VP Racing Fuels Clean Image Award from Mazda at the MX-5 Cup banquet ended our season on an absolute high note. And now, to welcome Savanna, our first female driver is a huge honor for me. My motto is Carpe Somnium “seize the dream” which I think is so fitting for Savanna and our soon to be announced 2021 drivers. We’re thrilled to support, foster, and aid in her success on and off the racetrack.”
Hixon Motor Sports tests this coming weekend, December 12-13th at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the season kicking off January 28-31st during the Rolex 24 Hour weekend.
Hixon Motor Sports is a multi-car Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Team competing alongside the prestigious IMSA platforms on the best sports car weekends in North America. Hixon Motor Sports and its marketing programs are focused around exemplifying integrity, consistency, commitment, and being humble. It is our goal to foster and develop exceptional driving talent by providing the best opportunities through experienced crew and coaching and trackside support in the Global MX-5 Cup paddock.
For more information please reach out to Shea Holbrook, Team Manager at Hixon Motor Sports shea@shearacing.com or (352) 267-2594.