BRASELTON, Ga. (March 13, 2026) – Mazda is using its role as the feature marque for HSR’s The Mitty presented by Hagerty to welcome all of its racing family and friends to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, April 24 – 26. The Japanese brand invites not only historic Mazda race cars, but all Spec Miata and Spec MX-5 vehicles to participate in the iconic event.
Working together with IMSA and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), Mazda has opened the doors for Spec Miata and Spec MX-5 (SMX) racers to enter The Mitty with a variety of racing licenses, provided they are in good standing with that organizing body. Spec Miata and SMX will be placed in Group 3 (HSR Vintage Cup), which includes a bonus Spec Miata/SMX-only race on Saturday, April 25, that requires no additional entry fee.
Referred to as the “Mazda Feature Race,” this 20-minute Saturday sprint offers several contingency prizes. Mazda will pay out $4,000 for first, $2,500 for second and $1,250 for third in both Spec Miata and SMX classes. Hoosier Tire will provide a free set of tires to both the Spec Miata and SMX winners and a Penske Shocking Performance award will be awarded in each class for the driver who advances the most positions in the race.
“Beyond the racing itself, The Mitty will celebrate Mazda through curated displays, heritage storytelling, and a community atmosphere that reflects the passion shared by drivers, teams, and fans alike,” IMSA President John Doonan said. “Whether you raced a Mazda decades ago or currently campaign one today, we hope you will join us in honoring a manufacturer that has always placed drivers first. We look forward to welcoming you and your Mazda to Road Atlanta for what promises to be a memorable celebration of speed, history, and camaraderie.”
Group 3 will also be where all other Mazda Miatas, MX-5 Cup and modern RX-7s will be placed. Group 4B is where Mazda-powered Formula Continental cars can be entered and Group 4C is for Formula Mazda, Star Mazda, Pro Formula Mazda heritage cars, USF 2000 heritage cars, F2000 and Mazda-powered Formula Atlantic cars.
The Mazda Heritage Collection’s own 1989 767B, 1990 787-002, 1991 RX-7 GTO and 1992 RX-792P will compete in Group 8 along with other Mazda RX-7 GTO and GTU cars, as well as any other Mazda-powered prototypes.
Driving Mazda’s Heritage Collection vehicles are drivers well-known to the Mazda Motorsports family: Tom Long will pilot the 767B, Joel Miller will be in the 792P, Tristan Nunez will drive the 787 and Alex Bachoura will tackle the RX-7 GTO.
Being members of the Mazda family offers additional benefits, including space in the main paddock at Road Atlanta and access to Mazda hospitality.
“We really want to make this a celebration of Mazda,” said Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager, Jonathan Applegate. “So much of our history with motorsport is from what has been accomplished in grassroots racing. We want to honor that by inviting our Spec Miata and SMX competitors to this celebrated event. It’s an added bonus for the fans who can witness the full spectrum of Mazda race cars and maybe even feel compelled to get involved at a club level.”
For an $800 entry fee, all cars in all groups receive three 20-minute qualifying sessions and two 20-minute sprint races. For an additional $310, any non-formula car entries can add the one-hour BRM Legacy Enduro. There is also an option to run a test day for $425 and receive three extra 20-minute track sessions.
All entries are managed by HSR and require a $25 HSR license fee. The HSR MERGE portal can be found here: https://merg.hsrrace.com/. For a full schedule, list of classes and other event information, visit https://www.hsrrace.com/the-mitty/.
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