DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (October 29, 2025) – One of the newest Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Official Partners is also the driving force behind HSR’s newest award. Two of them in fact.
Officials from MPI™ Inc. USA and HSR announced in August a multi-year agreement naming the leading motorsports steering wheel supplier a “Proud Partner of HSR.” Within the new agreement, MPI is the “Official Steering Wheel Supplier of HSR” and the title presenting sponsor of HSR’s new MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award.
However, before the MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award is bestowed on a deserving recipient for the first time at the end of the 2026 season, a complementary HSR award from MPI will be earned by a deserving HSR member next week in the 11th running of HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods, November 5 – 9.
The MPI Performance & Passion Award will be presented to the HSR Daytona Classic 24 competitor demonstrating the best “heart, hustle and horsepower” throughout the oldest HSR Classic Endurance Championship presented by Mission Foods race.
Not surprisingly, “heart, hustle and horsepower” are some of the exact traits that MPI Founder and Rolex Sports Car Series Champion Max Papis displayed in his Rolex 24 At Daytona debut in 1996, earning him his lasting nickname of “Mad Max.” A then 26-year-old Papis put on a fast and furious charge in the closing hours of the race in a Ferrari 333 SP in an attempt to track down the leader. He unlapped himself more than once and was closing on the eventual race-winning team, led by Wayne Taylor, when time ran out. Papis and his teammates settled for second but stole the show in a memorable Rolex 24.
Papis’ nickname and reputation were set after his hard charging Rolex 24 debut. An Italian native who competed professionally from the age of 12 and ascended to Formula 1 in his 20s, Papis settled in the U.S. in Miami after the 1996 Rolex 24. He became one of the most competitive drivers in the U.S. in a more than 20 year career in ChampCar, IndyCar, IMSA, Grand-Am, IROC and the NASCAR Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series.
As his career was winding down, Papis and his wife Tatiana Fittipaldi Papis, founded MPI in 2009, which has grown into a worldwide industry leader in the motorsports steering wheel sector. The MPI collections, collaborations and product lines are vast, offering steering wheels for everything from oval track racing to road racing and from drag racing to even racing simulator system fitments. It all adds up to MPI’s accomplished history in worldwide professional motorsports, including being the exclusive supplier of steering wheels to all teams competing in the internationally popular Australian Supercars Championship.
During his long racing career, Papis collaborated with several top steering wheel manufacturers, which built his passion for and understanding of the business. His main goal has been to apply this experience and knowledge to produce state-of-the-art products for the motorsports community.
The presentation of the MPI Performance & Passion honor next week paves the way for the 2026 debut of the MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award at the end of the season. An annual presentation, the MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award will recognize a worthy HSR member best displaying year-long passion, generosity for and within historic motorsports, heritage preservation, responsible restoration and renovation, youth mentorship, paddock and community spirit, leadership, integrity and an overall commitment to philanthropy and “giving back.”
Papis will serve with other motorsports and paddock leaders on the MPI Spirit of Motorsport Selection Committee, which will be established in preparation for the first presentation of the honor in 2026. He is also scheduled to be in Daytona next week to present the MPI Performance an Passion honor.
For HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods tickets, event schedule, competitor entries and additional information, please visit the official HSR Event Page.
About HSR: An International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the racing cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/, on Twitter X @HSR_race and on Instagram @HistoricSportscarRacing.
