News Releases

IRVINE, Calif. (February 3, 2020) – Mazda Motorsports has selected Flis Performance as the new constructor of the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car.

Based on the world’s best-selling sports car, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car is one of the most exciting and affordable entries into professional road racing. By employing a single constructor for all Mazda MX-5 Cup cars, and with strict limits to modifications and tuning, drivers are ensured a level playing field. Since 2015, 218 Mazda MX-5 Cup cars have been sold.

Mazda MX-5 Cup cars begin as road cars assembed at Mazda’s Hiroshima, Japan factory before being converted to race cars. Starting in 2020, that conversion will take place at Flis Performance in Daytona Beach, Florida. Flis Performance has extensive experience in amateur and professional racing, and has competed at the highest levels of sports car racing in North America.

“Ensuring that Mazda Motorsports found the right partner to build the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car was incredibly important for the health of our program,” said Nelson Cosgrove, Director, Mazda Motorsports. “It’s very clear that the staff at Flis Performance understands what what our goals are with the MX-5 Cup car – to continue to build upon the value and excitement of the MX-5 Cup platform, to support new and prospective racers in the Global MX-5 Cup series, and to ensure that the cars constructed at Flis Performance are equal in performance and quality to the over 200 MX-5 Cup cars that our customers are currently enjoying.”

The 2020 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup series, which races alongside the NTT IndyCar Series, will begin its season April 3-5 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. For 2020, the series’ prize package is valued at over $500,000 including a $200,000 career advancement scholarship for the season champion.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Mazda Motorsports boasts the most comprehensive auto racing development ladder system of any auto manufacturer in the world. The Mazda Road to 24 (#MRT24) program offers a number of scholarships to advance drivers up the sports car racing ladder, beginning with the Global MX-5 Cup series and culminating with Mazda Team Joest. In grassroots road racing, more Mazdas race on any given weekend in North America than any other manufacturer. Follow all of the latest news at MazdaMotorsports.com, @MazdaRacing on Twitter, and Mazda Motorsports on Instagram and Facebook.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

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Contact:
Drew Cary, Mazda North American Operations, 949-727-6525
Efrain Olivares, Mazda North American Operations, 818-254-7196