Maverick, a newly formed race team in the Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich Tires, is set for 2020 with a pair of entries. Competing alongside the NTT IndyCar Series throughout the season, Bryan Hixon and Justin Piscitell will look to take their Mazda MX-5 entries to the top and claim the coveted series championship and prestigious $200,000 championship purse.
Bryan Hixon, Team Owner, and Philanthropist and Team Manager, Shea Holbrook, partnered to create Maverick to bring together talented members of the industry with a vision of creating winning platforms and results both on and off the track.
“I’ve enjoyed putting motorsport programs together for years now and am very excited about this new partnership,” explained Shea Holbrook, former W Series driver, and seven-time Pirelli World Challenge race winner. “While Bryan is the Team Owner and one of the drivers, he has entrusted in me to help manage the program as we get ready for our first season of competition.”
Bryan Hixon, out of San Antonio, Texas, began racing in the Skip Barber Racing School Western Formula DodgeR/T series in 2004 where he was awarded the Most Improved Driver in his rookie season. He went on to continue in the Winter Mazdaspeed Skip Barber MX-5 Challenge and became the Skip Barber 2012 SCCA Pro Mazda MX-5 Cup Champion. In 2015, Hixon competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship alongside IMSA. Hixon looks forward to his return competing in the 2020 Global MX-5 Cup in his new blue and orange tiger livery, an animal he loves, in the No. 63 Maverick chassis.
Justin Piscitell, of Wingdale, New York, joins Hixon as a wingman in the Global MX-5 Cup season piloting the No. 9 Maverick chassis. Piscitell brings ten years of experience behind the wheel along with a comprehensive coaching program. Piscitell has supported multiple drivers to championships, wins, and podiums in both club and professional racing. In 2009 and after only eight months of racing, Piscitell won the highly competitive Mazdaspeed Shootout. Pulling double duty in the 2018 IMSA TCR and ST classes, Piscitell in the same race finished on the podium in each represented class. His accolades also include seven out of seven front-row starts in the IMSA ST class, five of which were pole positions.
Maverick is a highly goal-oriented team that also has charisma and spirit to be racing with a purpose. Elevating their drivers, marketing partners, and associates is their top priority while paying it forward as the team proudly supports Autism Speaks and the World Wildlife Fund.
“With the passion of the motorsport industry, Maverick looks to connect with race fans to raise awareness for Autism Speaks and the World Wildlife Fund. It’s something I thoroughly enjoy and to be able to pair this enjoyment with driving and establishing the team, it’s very fulfilling,” said Team Owner, Bryan Hixon.
Team driver Justin Piscitell will compete in the Ricmotech iRacing Global Mazda MX-5 Cup starting May 5th. The five round esports series brings more opportunity to Maverick. In last year’s iRacing MX-5 Cup rookie series alone, there were more than 32,000 different racers.
“I enjoy practicing and coaching via iRacing, so having the opportunity to join competitors and friends in a for prize money virtual series is exciting,” said Piscitell.
Utilizing the iRacing platform, Maverick will showcase their car liveries. The Maverick livery will also be available for fans to download and race themselves.