– Mazda’s Diverse Racing Success and More in Action and on Display April 23 – 26 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
– Family-Friendly HSR The Mitty Presented by Hagerty Celebrates Sports Cars and Other Road Racing Cars of All Eras
SEBRING, Florida (February 12, 2026) – In a year featuring celebrations of several unique anniversaries, Mazda has been named the featured marque for the Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) 48th annual The Mitty Presented by Hagerty, April 23 – 26 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Crowned by overall victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and many class victories at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Mazda’s rich history in racing dates more than 60 years and was formalized by the formation of Mazda Motorsports in 1999. Since then, Mazda has become a leader in American grassroots motorsports, driven by the popularity of the rotary-powered RX-7 and MX-5 ‘Miata’ on both the street and the racetrack.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Mazda MX-5 as a competition car, the 35th anniversary of Mazda’s overall victory at Le Mans, the 65th anniversary of Mazda’s first use of the revolutionary Wankel rotary engine in a production car, and the 95th anniversary of the Mazda brand.
“Success in competition on the track is an important part of what makes Mazda so special, and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate Mazda as the featured marque at this year’s HSR The Mitty presented by Hagterty,” said HSR President John Doonan. “Mazda’s reputation in racing is much like its standing as an automaker: a marque that punches above its weight. With overall victories at Le Mans, Sebring and 23 class victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Mazda has demonstrated it can compete and win at the highest level. But perhaps more importantly, Mazda has made racing relatable and accessible to everyone.”
The MX-5 and equally iconic RX-7 will be represented in abundance at The HSR Mitty, which has grown into one of the most prestigious and enduring vintage racing events in America.
Founded in 1977, with a name inspired by a famous short story by James Thurber, The Mitty is a family-friendly festival celebrating sports car racing from all eras that includes tent and RV camping, car corrals and a Fan Zone featuring sponsor and manufacturer activations.
As the organization’s oldest and first blockbuster event, The Mitty is the building block around which HSR was formed, and another stout entry of vintage and historic race cars representing dozens of marques are expected for the 2026 edition. As always, the schedule for The Mitty is packed, with 10 feature races and non-stop sprints for multiple Run Groups.
The Mazda Heritage Collection will have several notable Mazda racing cars on display and in competition at The Mitty, and its trailer will serve as a hub for fans and media, while anchoring the Mazda Competitor Village and serving as a visual showcase for Mazda’s presence.
“Mazda Motorsports is a longtime supporter of The Mitty, and we have great respect for the history of the event,” said Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager Jonathan Applegate. “We’re thrilled to be the featured marque of this year’s Mitty, especially with the number of anniversaries we’re celebrating in 2026. Naturally, the Mazda Heritage Collection will be on hand to wow fans with the sound of the 767B and the flames of the RX7 GTO, but we want to bring in the extended Mazda family. We want to showcase the pride individuals have in their vintage Mazda and celebrate the stories behind their cars.”
Mazda began selling cars in the United States in 1970, but it was the introduction of the rotary-powered RX-2 and RX-3 shortly thereafter that truly drew attention to the brand. The RX-2 and RX-3 quickly became fixtures on the track, and several examples can be seen at The Mitty as part of a Feature exhibition race encompassing competition Mazdas of all eras.
The IMSA Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin is one of the most popular and exciting forms of single-make entry-level professional racing in the world. In large part to the universal appeal of the MX-5 and RX-7, Mazda has become the go-to brand for entry-level motorsports.
In addition to the Feature exhibition race, Mazda-related activities on this year’s bill include:
– A Grid Walk preceding a 30-minute Mazda feature race with a grid comprised of HSR cars and Spec Miata and Spec MX-5 cars.
– Activities during track ‘quiet times’ on Sunday including MX-5 street car parade laps, participant and parade lap group photos.
– A Mazda Legends panel featuring a Q&A session with notables including Doonan, Applegate and distinguished Mazda drivers such as Jim Downing, Amos Johnson and Roger Mandeville.
Tickets for the 48th HSR The Mitty presented by Hagerty at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta can be purchased online at: https://am.ticketmaster.com/
Next up on the 2026 HSR calendar is the season-opening HSR Sebring Pistons and Props presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network, at Sebring International Raceway this weekend, February 12 – 15. The popular Pistons & Props event makes a race date swap this year with the HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour presented by Mission Foods, which returns to its traditional December date after one year running this past March the weekend before the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race. For this weekend’s Pistons & Props schedule, entry list and additional information, please visit the event page at https://www.hsrrace.com/
About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) is the premier vintage and historic racing series in North America. It was formed in the mid-1970s with an inaugural event at Road Atlanta and became a part of International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in 2022. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate and enjoy 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, Watkins Glen International 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.
