Officers from MPI Inc. USA and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) have introduced a multi-year settlement that may see the main motorsports steering wheel provider grow to be a ‘Proud Companion of HSR.’
Throughout the new settlement, MPI has been named the ‘Official Steering Wheel Provider of HSR’ and the title presenting sponsor of HSR’s new MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award.
Based in 2009 by Max Papis and Tatiana Fittipaldi Papis, MPI has grown right into a worldwide trade chief within the motorsports steering wheel sector. The MPI collections, collaborations and product strains are huge, providing steering wheels for all the things from oval monitor racing to highway racing and from drag racing to even racing simulator system fitments. All of it provides as much as MPI’s completed historical past in worldwide skilled motorsports, together with being the unique provider of steering wheels to all groups competing within the internationally widespread Australian Supercars Championship.
The HSR partnership gives MPI with not solely the official product designation but additionally the presenting rights to the thrilling new MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award. The best ‘off-track’ and non-competition honor in HSR’s almost 50-year historical past, the MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award will yearly acknowledge a worthy HSR member who finest shows season-long ardour, integrity and generosity for and inside historic motorsports all through the season.
MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award candidates shall be members of the HSR membership group displaying the traits of heritage preservation, accountable restoration and renovation, youth mentorship, paddock and group spirit, management and integrity and an total dedication to philanthropy and ‘giving again’.
Papis will serve with different motorsports and paddock leaders on the MPI Spirit of Motorsport Choice Committee, which shall be established in preparation for the primary presentation of the dignity in 2026.
Moreover, MPI has additionally stepped as much as supply the complementary MPI Efficiency & Ardour Award this yr. Scheduled to be introduced on the 2025 HSR Daytona Traditional 24 Hour introduced by Mission Meals, the Efficiency & Ardour honor shall be awarded to the competitor demonstrating the very best ‘coronary heart, hustle and horsepower’ all through the oldest HSR Traditional Endurance Championship introduced by Mission Meals race.
One of the widespread drivers with followers and even his rivals in his profession, Papis was identified for his total optimistic outlook and embracing the qualifying traits of each the MPI Spirit and MPI Efficiency & Ardour awards. Knowledgeable driver because the age of 12, Papis raced in Method 1, ChampCar, IndyCar, IMSA, Grand-Am, IROC and the NASCAR Truck, Xfinity and Cup Collection.
Papis is a two-time Rolex 24 At Daytona total successful co-driver and joined Scott Pruett in co-driving to the 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Sports activities Automobile Collection Daytona Prototype season championship. Moreover, he nonetheless holds the file for having probably the most NASCAR race begins by a European driver.
Throughout his lengthy racing profession, Papis collaborated with a number of high steering wheel producers, which constructed his ardour for and understanding of the enterprise. His major objective has been to use this expertise and data to supply state-of-the-art merchandise for the motorsports group.
Subsequent up on the 2025 HSR calendar is the HSR VIR Historics at VIRginia Worldwide Raceway (VIR), September 4 – 7.
“We at MPI are extremely excited to hitch forces with HSR,” stated Papis. “When John Doonan introduced us the concept, my workforce and I have been instantly on board. This partnership brings collectively MPI’s ardour for security, innovation and craftsmanship with HSR’s legendary position as a pacesetter in historic and classic motorsports. We’re proud to assist the preservation of iconic race automobiles by handcrafting options that respect the previous whereas integrating fashionable security along with introducing with HSR a brand new and soon-to-be coveted award and distinctive trophy to a racing group I deeply love.”
John Doonan, HSR President, stated: “We’re delighted to have MPI be part of our rising HSR partnership household and sit up for a protracted and productive relationship with Max, Tatiana, their household, and everybody at MPI. We’re excited to introduce MPI steering wheels and the corporate’s different high quality merchandise to our HSR member rivals. The eagerness and high-power progeny Max and Tati collectively convey to our paddock alone makes MPI the right match for each the brand new MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award and the MPI Efficiency & Ardour Award at this yr’s HSR Traditional Daytona 24 Hour introduced by Mission Meals. Even higher, MPI could have a direct presence within the HSR paddock as we start the second half of the 2025 season, and we will’t wait to get this incredible new partnership began.”
