Inside MX-5 Cup: Racing Stories from Behind the Wheel and Camera
Behind-the-scenes access reveals how two determined racers, Sally Mott and Heather Hadley, navigate the intensely competitive Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup series in the new Amazon Prime docuseries "First to the Finish," premiering March 25.
Both drivers are winners of the Mazda Women in Motorsport Initiative Scholarship. Mott, in her sophomore season after finishing 12th in her rookie year, and Hadley, now in her third season, share their experiences of being filmed both on and off the track.
"At first, I was a bit nervous, and then I grew to use it as motivation," says Mott about the constant presence of cameras during her first IMSA pro racing season.
Woman driver in racing uniform
The series aims to inspire more women to pursue motorsports careers by offering an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs of female racers. Film crews followed the drivers beyond the track, capturing both racing highlights and personal moments.
"It's sharing our experiences and being pretty vulnerable, pretty open with our different stories and what we've gone through, with the hopes that it will inspire people," explains Hadley.
Female race car driver in MX-5
The documentary has already impacted its subjects. Mott, who draws inspiration from the all-women Iron Dames racing team, notes that the experience has made her a better driver off-track and improved her communication skills. She hopes to eventually create a racing school for girls.
After previewing the first episode during the St. Petersburg race weekend, both drivers praised the production quality. "We were just blown away about how cinematic it looks," says Mott.
Fans can watch live Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup races on RACER.com, with the next double-header scheduled for May 3-4 at Barber Motorsports Park, Alabama.