Learn more about Spark Performance and the Mazda MX-5 Cup car 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 Global 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.
Global 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.