Mazda Motorsports recently announced that it will release the new factory-approved hardtop version of the popular Miata roadster. Dubbed as the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup will be eligible to enter a greater number of possible competitions now that it sports a hardtop option.

In a statement acquired by Jalopnik, Mazda Motorsports development manager David Cook said, "Now with an available hardtop, Mazda racers can compete in SCCA and NASA Club Racing and in the Pirelli World Challenge TCA class."

While this new development might excite some Miata fans, the removable hardtop will not come cheap. It costs $4,420 which is about 18 percent the price of a brand new Mazda MX-5 Miata street legal car, according to The Drive. This might be quite a hefty price, but this will also ensure that MX-5 Cup car owners can qualify their cars to the racing series that require a factory-approved hardtop.

Some Mazda MX-5 Miata owners are wondering why the company will not offer the hardtop roof to regular models. Mazda responded saying that the hardtop is designed around a roll cage which might not be optimal for road legal cars. The hardtop is only compatible with race models as standard MX-5 models cannot accommodate a roll cage. Nevertheless, there is always the Mazda MX-5 RF model which has a retractable hardtop option.

Standard Global Cup Miatas are topless. Mazda said that the option to add a hardtop roof will be a welcome upgrade to drivers who do not want their hair get rumpled by the wind when driving.

Mazda Motorsports confirmed that it will start taking orders from current Mazda MX-5 Cup owners, as well as people who have signed to purchase the track-only Miata models. Deliveries of the new hardtop model will start next month.

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