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The Mazda Heritage Collection will commence its 2025 race season at Daytona International Speedway, Jan. 23-25 as part of the 63rd running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The return to competition at D…
The Mazda Heritage Collection will kick off its 2025 race season at Daytona International Speedway on January 23-25, coinciding with the 63rd running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. This return to Daytona is a significant moment for Mazda Motorsports as it participates in the first Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) event during IMSA’s season-opening race weekend. The HSR event will feature invitation-only entries, including the 1991 Mazda RX-7 GTO from the Heritage Collection, powered by a 13J four-rotor engine and built by Fabcar under the guidance of Jim Downing. Chassis 001 of the RX-7 GTO achieved notable success with win number 100 for the RX-7 and clinching the 1991 IMSA GTO Championship, later also finishing second in the GTS class at the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans. The talented Mazda pilot Tom Long will be at the helm of the RX-7 GTO during this special event, alongside the launching of the Mazda Miata 35th Anniversary edition and the commencement of the 2025 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship’s 20th season. The action-packed weekend at Daytona will include four on-track sessions for HSR, with practice and qualifying leading up to the 30-minute race just before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Fans will be treated to a spectacular showcase of Mazda’s racing heritage and MX-5 Cup excitement, all taking place against the backdrop of Daytona’s iconic high banks.