Learn more about Spark Performance and the spec Mazda MX-5 Cup, and TechSport Racing and the Subaru BRZ TCA 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.
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 more than $100,000 in additional championship 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. For more information visit http://techsportracing.com/.
2022 Subaru BRZ TCA
The new Subaru BRZ TCA customer race car is based on the recently launched 2022 Subaru BRZ. The BRZ is a front engine, rear wheel drive platform and is powered by the all new FA24 2.4L horizontally opposed 4-cylinder Boxer engine.
In North America, the Subaru BRZ TCA is eligible to compete in the SRO TC America series and additionally, it will be able to compete in SCCA and NASA. The competitive TCA class features multiple car manufacturers competing in two 40-minute races as part of the SRO TC America series. Commenting on the release of the car, Anderson says, “with 40 wins and 96 podiums to date, our ability to build a winning program demonstrates that our switch to the new 2022 BRZ TCA will be successful.”
The BRZ TCA car will be available for purchase to customers as well as track support and logistics from TechSport Racing. For further information about the TCA spec car, please visit: www.BRZTCA.com.