The Mazda Heritage Collection Captivates at Sebring International Raceway

The Mazda Heritage Collection will be participating in the Historic Sportscar Racing event this weekend at Sebring International Raceway. This comes after their successful debut at Daytona International Speedway last month. Two cars from the collection will be racing in the sprint races prior to the Sebring Classic 12 Hour.

Mazda has a long-standing history at Sebring, dating back to 1972 when a Mazda R100 was entered in the renowned 12-hour race. Between 1980 and 1989, Mazda won at least one class victory in the 12 Hours for nine consecutive years. In recent times, Mazda DPis have continued this winning tradition with a substantial victory and third-place result in 2020, followed by a runner-up finish in 2021.

The Mazda Heritage Collection’s lineup for the upcoming Historic Sportscar Racing event at Sebring International Raceway will be the same as the one it brought to Daytona earlier this month. The collection will feature a 1989 Mazda 767B and a 1991 Mazda RX-7 GTO, both of which are operated and maintained by Flis Performance in Daytona Beach, Florida.

“From one legendary circuit to the next, this has been a phenomenal opening chapter for the Mazda Heritage Collection,” said Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager Jonathan Applegate. “The response we had at Daytona was outstanding, and this event is another chance for race fans to see the cars they never got to see in their prime or have never seen because they’re too young. I look forward to hearing both cars at full song on the Ullman Straight and seeing the reactions on people’s faces.”

 

Mazda driver Tom Long will be back behind the wheel for the upcoming Historic Sportscar Racing event at Sebring International Raceway. This time, he will be driving the magnificent 767B around the legendary circuit, which is situated on a former WWII training airfield.

As per the latest update, Andrew Carbonell will be taking over the driving duties for the RX-7 at the upcoming Historic Sportscar Racing event at Sebring International Raceway. The car had finished fifth in class at the 1991 12 Hours of Sebring, with Calvin Fish, Pete Halsmer, and John Morton behind the wheel.

“This thing is phenomenal,” Carbonell said. “It pulls through the rev range in every gear, to the top. You’re out of gear before the braking zone in 17 almost out before the brake zone in Turn 1. I can’t get enough of this thing and can’t wait to drive this thing for the rest of the week.”

It’s worth noting that the Mazda RX-7 GTO will be participating in Sprint Group 5B, while the 767B can be found in Sprint Group 6 at the upcoming Historic Sportscar Racing event at Sebring International Raceway.

Photo Source: Mazda Newsroom