Idemitsu Lubricants America Expands Partnership with Mazda Motorsports USA - Supports MX-5 Cup

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renewing its strategic sponsorship agreement with Mazda Motorsports USA, Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation (ILAC) continues its association as the Official Oil Partner of the Mazda Daytona Prototype International (DPi) Car #55 at the WeatherTech IMSA Series this year. Taking the partnership with Mazda Motorsports USA to the next level in 2021, Idemitsu Lubricants America will also be the official Title Sponsor of the MX-5 Cup Series. The series, newly titled as the "Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Series presented by BFGoodrich^® Tires" is the signature spec series for the Mazda Road to 24 (#MRT24) with the MX-5 Cup champion being awarded $250,000.

As a strategic partner of Mazda, Idemitsu shares the same vision as Mazda when it comes to the promotion and development of motorsports across the US. “Enabling access and empowering upcoming race drivers to take up the sport in a safe, organized and progressive manner is the reason why Mazda Motorsports is the undisputed leader in motorsports development in the United States, especially at the grassroots level. We at Idemitsu are honored to be partnering with Mazda Motorsports in this extremely important mission,” said Bob Hashmi, Head of Marketing at Idemitsu Lubricants America.

The MX-5 Cup cars start as a complete MX-5 road car from the Mazda Hiroshima, Japan, factory before being transported to engineering development partner Flis Performance in Daytona Beach, Florida. Once they are in the Sunshine State, they are transformed into race cars. The transformation from road car to race car includes disassembly of the production car, welding and painting of a full roll cage and interior, and adding more than 250 motorsports-specific parts. Other components of the car, including the Mazda SKYACTIV^® 2.0-liter engine, are sealed to ensure a competitive and cost-effective platform.

Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation (ILAC) proudly supports Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) as its official factory-fill lubricants partner and as the bulk oil supplier to the Genuine Mazda Premium Oil Program.