The Mazda Miata is more than just a fun, simple, lightweight roadster: it's the most road-raced car in the entire world. And when the dropped in September, everyone was wondering what it would look like when it suited up for racing duty. Now we know, because the new Miata also comes with a new global racing series.

Starting in 2016, the Mazda Global MX-5 Cup will be launch as a spec series with races in North America, Europe and Asia. Competitors will drive identical examples of these new, race-prepped Miatas.

The series will culminate with a Global Shootout at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and the champion will receive a one-day test in Mazda's top-level TUDOR United States SportsCar Championship SkyActiv prototype racecar.

Holy crap, this is exciting.

Mazda says their Global MX-5 Cup cars will be sold in "ready to race" form from a single supplier. Other than that, they released few details on the specs of the car, except to say it will be powered by a 2.0-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine, much like the street car. Final details will be released next year when Mazda is ready to start taking orders for them.

We have a lot of things to look forward to with the new Miata, and now a whole new worldwide racing series is just one more of them.