By RACER Staff | October 6, 2023 4:06 PM ET
Mazda Motorsports has unveiled the Heritage Collection, a new program to celebrate the brand’s long history in motorsports by fielding a curated collection of iconic race cars that are owned by Mazda. The new approach will elevate the brand with an ongoing campaign that will celebrate the culture of Mazda Motorsports with fans, owners, and customers.
Key to the program is the growth of the Mazda Motorsports partnership with Flis Performance, which has produced all of the Mazda MX-5 Cup cars for the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires championship since 2020, and has provided a high level of on-site support for the entire series paddock.
With a history of competition at the highest levels of the sport, as well as a background that started at the grassroots level, Flis Performance will elevate the Heritage Collection program.
Having already overseen the full restoration of two key components of the Collection, the effort will take to the track for its debut in Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) events at Daytona International Speedway and Sebring International Raceway.
Based in Daytona Beach Florida, Flis Performance owners Todd and Troy Flis have a rich motorsports background that dates back more than 30 years. Sports car racing fans may remember the name from when they ran Spirit of Daytona Racing, a two-time GRAND-AM champion and winner of the 2002 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“We’ve been impressed with Flis Performance since day one of our MX-5 Cup partnership,” Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager Jonathan Applegate said. “When we were looking at ways to improve our racing heritage program, there was no question Flis was the group we wanted on the project. Their level of professionalism and attention to detail is second to none. They’ve breathed new life into the program, and I know Mazda fans are going to love the result.”
Cars now under the care of Flis Performance include the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning 1989 Mazda 767B-002, the 1990 Mazda 787-002, the 1991 Mazda RX-7-001 and the 1992 Mazda RX-792P-001.
“It is an honor to have these legendary cars in our care,” Flis Performance Managing Partner Todd Flis said. “We’ve enjoyed our partnership with Mazda to-date and look forward to building on it with the Mazda Motorsports Heritage Collection. We’ve been doing our best to get all of them running smoothly and look forward to getting them on track soon!”
The new Mazda Motorsports Heritage Collection will make its debut at two HSR events this fall; Daytona International Speedway, November 2 – 5, followed by Sebring International Raceway, December 1 – 3. The 767B and RX7 GTO are slated to take part in race groups while local dealerships will be on hand with activities planned.