Learn more about Spark Performance and the spec Mazda MX-5 Cup, and TechSport Racing and the Toyota GR Cup cars that Gresham competes with.
Spark Performance
Founded by ex-series champion Nathanial “Sparky” Sparks, Spark Performance is a leading team with the knowledge, care, and experience to compete for wins and championships. Offering numerous services including at-track support and coaching, Spark Performance is one of experts at tuning and operating the MX-5 Cup car. Winning races in every year they have competed, Wagner and Spark Performance earned the top prize of the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championship in 2021.
Mazda MX-5 Cup
Originally produced for the 2016 season, the MX-5 Cup has gone through a number of revisions and upgrades. For the latest iteration of the car, Mazda introduced the revised ND2 MX-5 Cup car. Producing more horsepower and utilizing a sequential gearbox, the car is a significant advancement over the original ND1 car.
The MX-5 Cup race cars start as brand new, complete MX-5 road cars from the Mazda factory in Hiroshima, Japan, before being transported to engineering development partner, Flis Performance in Daytona, FL where they are transformed into a complete race car. The process includes disassembly of the production car, followed by welding, paint, as well as a full roll cage and interior, and then assembly of the race car with more than 250 motorsports-specific parts. Other components of the car, including the Mazda SKYACTIV 2.0 liter engine, are sealed to ensure even competition and a cost-effective platform.
The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup provides a $250,000 scholarship for the champion, a $80,000 scholarship for its rookie-of-the-year, along with tens of thousands of dollars in additional per-race payouts. The series is sanctioned by IMSA and operated by Andersen Promotions.
TechSport Racing
TechSport Racing, established in 2013, is a professional team based at VIRginia International Raceway. Founded by longtime racer Kevin Anderson and Deborah Popolizio, Techsport has previously won the Manufacturer, Team, and Driver Championships in TC America. In 2022, they added to their tally, with Gresham Wagner earning the TC America Drivers’ Championship in the teams’ BRZ TCA, and the team also winning the TC America Teams’ Championship. For more information visit http://techsportracing.com/.
2023 Toyota GR Cup
The GR Cup Series is Toyota’s all-new single make racing series held at seven of the most famed circuits across the United States. Race fans and series participants will experience Toyota’s unmatched passion for motor racing and car culture. This electrifying series will be streamed through the SRO GT World YouTube channel showcasing two unique classes: Amateur and an exclusive Dealer class. Based on the production vehicle, the GR86 Cup car features a Bosch ECU, custom Borla exhaust, SADEV 6-speed sequential transmission, Alcon brakes, JRI adjustable shocks, OMP safety equipment, roll cage, carbon fiber rear wing, TGRNA designed MacPherson strut, Stratasys custom bodywork, TGRNA designed splitter, fuel cell, and more.