Mazda MX-5 Cup ND (2016–present)
The factory-built one-make race car based on the fourth-generation (ND) Mazda MX-5, sold ready to race since late 2015. It runs a sealed 2.0 Skyactiv engine and, since 2020, a SADEV sequential gearbox. It is the car of the IMSA-sanctioned Mazda MX-5 Cup, and retired cars feed US club racing.
History
Mazda has run a one-make MX-5 professional series since 2003. From 2006 to 2015 it used the NC generation with a Mazdaspeed-prepared stock 2.0 and six-speed manual 17. For 2016 Mazda North American Operations and Long Road Racing of Statesville, North Carolina, developed a turnkey car on the new ND roadster 217. Orders opened on 1 October 2015 at $53,000 2. Base cars came from Hiroshima, and Long Road Racing stripped them, fitted the cage and changed over 250 parts 3. It built 120 cars in 2016 3.
Early cars received running changes. From 7 September 2016 the price rose to $58,900, adding a motorsport gearbox, new engine brackets, differential bushing inserts and ECU updates 1. Mazda offered retrofit parts so early builds could match 1. For 2019 the ND2 arrived with 181 hp, a 7,500 rpm limit, a Bosch ECU and cooling and transmission upgrades, at $68,000 new 4. ND1 owners could buy upgrade kits 4.
Long Road Racing closed in 2019 and Flis Performance of Daytona Beach took over production for 2020 1713. That season the SADEV sequential gearbox became mandatory in the pro series 68. Todd Flis later said the gearbox was only about 60 percent developed when it first raced 7. A December 2022 bulletin made a Brembo front brake kit and PAGID pads compulsory 9. Penske dampers replaced the Multimatic DSSV units in the series for 2025 11.
The series has been sanctioned by IMSA since 2021 and races at WeatherTech SportsCar Championship weekends 17. Flis completed car number 300 in June 2024 13. In 2025 a new race-ready car started at $109,000 plus tax 12. Many retired pro cars now race in SCCA club classes such as Touring 3 and Super Touring Lite 6.
Palmarès
The ND car has formed the whole grid of the US pro MX-5 Cup since 2016 217. Nathanial Sparks won the first Global MX-5 Cup Invitational in 2016, and Patrick Gallagher took the 2017 title 17. Connor Zilisch was the series Rookie of the Year in 2022 13. Jeremy Fletcher won the 2025 championship 17, and Bobby Gossett took the 2026 title at Road Atlanta 14. The 2025 champion's award was $250,000 12. In Japan a Global MX-5 Cup series started in 2017 with five rounds and a final at Laguna Seca 18.
What to check before you buy
Confirm ND1 or ND2 specification and which ECU is fitted: ND2 brings 181 hp, a 7,500 rpm limit and a Bosch ECU. Converted ND1 cars keep their original VIN, so the ECU and parts list matter. Gearbox type: SADEV sequential or H-pattern: The SADEV is required in the pro series. H-pattern ND1 and ND2 cars are classed in SCCA Super Touring Lite rather than Touring 3. Seals on engine, ECU, differential and dampers: The engine and ECU are paint-marked and sealed, as are the differential and Penske dampers. Broken seals end legality in MX-5 Cup. Required bulletin items: Brembo kit, bumper insert, Penske dampers: A car lacking them needs extra parts before it can race in MX-5 Cup. The homologation document lists every required bulletin. Engine hours from the AiM logger: Engines are sealed with no published rebuild interval, so logged hours are the best guide. One 2016 car was offered in 2025 with 240 hours. Cage paperwork and safety dates: The cage is covered by an FIA homologation certificate. Check fire bottle pressure and service date, belt and seat expiry. Build records tied to the VIN: Long Road Racing tagged every part to the car's VIN during the build. Records show which updates and crash repairs the car has had.
Versions and evolutions
| Version | Years | What changed | How to identify |
|---|---|---|---|
| ND1 launch car | 2015-2016 (2016 season) | Sealed stock 2.0 Skyactiv engine, Mazda six-speed manual, sealed GEMS ECU, Multimatic DSSV dampers, built by Long Road Racing. First 108 units sold at $53,000. 1 | 2016-2018 model-year road-car VIN, H-pattern lever, GEMS ECU. Ask whether the September 2016 retrofit parts were fitted. |
| ND1 updated | September 2016-2018 | Motorsport-specific gearbox, redesigned engine brackets, differential bushing inserts, fuel pump-out kit, ECU hardware and software updates. 2017 cars listed a motorsport gear set for third and fourth gears and improved motor mounts. 1 | Build paperwork from Long Road Racing; engine mount reinforcement brackets and differential bushing inserts listed in the homologation document. |
| ND2 | 2019 on (new cars and ND1 conversions) | 181 hp engine with 7,500 rpm limit, Bosch Motorsport ECU, revised transmission, cooling and electronics. $68,000 new; upgrade kits for ND1 owners. 4 | Bosch MS6 Cup ECU (part 0000-08-D227) and ND2 radiator ducting; converted ND1 cars keep a 2016-2018 VIN. |
| ND2 with SADEV sequential | 2020 on | SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox with pump and cooler, required in the pro series. Production moved to Flis Performance. 6 | Sequential lever and SADEV casing; the H-pattern clutch kit and banjo fittings are absent. |
| ND2 2023 to 2024 specification | 2023-2024 | Brembo front brake kit and PAGID pads required (TSB 2022-12-21), Flis high-energy bumper insert required (TSB 2023-01-10), heat-resistant SADEV shift knob option. 9 | Brembo racing caliper on a floating rotor bell instead of the earlier GT caliper; foam-filled bumper insert behind the front fascia. |
| ND2 2025 specification | 2025 on | Penske dampers with sealed tamper labels required in MX-5 Cup. 2025 model-year base cars use a PMU controller and dash keypad. 11 | Penske dampers (part numbers 0000-04-5630 front, 0000-04-5640 rear) with tamper-proof labels intact. |
Known issues
- Early ND1 gearbox weakness — Mazda added a motorsport-specific gearbox from September 2016 and offered retrofits. 2017 cars added a motorsport gear set for third and fourth. A 2016 car sold in 2025 had an HD gear set rebuilt in 2024. 1
- Engine mounting on early cars — Redesigned motorsport engine brackets were part of the 2016 update and 2017 cars got improved motor mounts. Early cars that skipped the retrofit may still have the first brackets. 3
- Cooling system and upper hose — Flis notes upper hose failures on cars where the clamp holding the radiator cap safety wire was not tightened. Two cooling management bulletins (2019, 2020) revised the system. 9
- Front brake rotor bell hardware — The Brembo rotor bell must be separated and its bushings, screws and washers inspected after every race weekend. Pre-2023 cars on GT calipers need the Brembo kit for MX-5 Cup. 10
- Damper change for 2025 — Multimatic DSSV dampers are no longer legal in MX-5 Cup. Penske units are sealed and can only be serviced by Penske; broken labels mean disqualification or fines. 11
- SADEV gearbox maturity and heat — The gearbox was about 60 percent developed when it entered service in 2020. Later bulletins added a slave cylinder update and a heat-resistant shift knob. 7
- Differential and gearbox cooling pumps — The sealed differential and gearbox share a pump and cooler circuit. Flis asks owners to review cooling data and check pump seals, with differential bushings and caliper seals replaced annually. 10
Checklist before you buy
- Confirm ND1 or ND2 specification and which ECU is fitted — ND2 brings 181 hp, a 7,500 rpm limit and a Bosch ECU. Converted ND1 cars keep their original VIN, so the ECU and parts list matter. 4
- Gearbox type: SADEV sequential or H-pattern — The SADEV is required in the pro series. H-pattern ND1 and ND2 cars are classed in SCCA Super Touring Lite rather than Touring 3. 6
- Seals on engine, ECU, differential and dampers — The engine and ECU are paint-marked and sealed, as are the differential and Penske dampers. Broken seals end legality in MX-5 Cup. 3
- Required bulletin items: Brembo kit, bumper insert, Penske dampers — A car lacking them needs extra parts before it can race in MX-5 Cup. The homologation document lists every required bulletin. 9
- Engine hours from the AiM logger — Engines are sealed with no published rebuild interval, so logged hours are the best guide. One 2016 car was offered in 2025 with 240 hours. 16
- Cage paperwork and safety dates — The cage is covered by an FIA homologation certificate. Check fire bottle pressure and service date, belt and seat expiry. 9
- Build records tied to the VIN — Long Road Racing tagged every part to the car's VIN during the build. Records show which updates and crash repairs the car has had. 3
Running costs 10
| Rebuild interval | No published engine rebuild interval; engine and ECU are sealed. Flis bases its schedule on 10-12 events a year at about 3 hours each: engine oil and filter every event, gearbox and differential oil inspected each event and replaced annually, hub bearings and tie rod ends annually. |
|---|---|
| Typical rebuild cost | Not published. Penske dampers may only be serviced by Penske. 2025 MX-5 Cup entry was $2,950 per double-header weekend. |
| Consumables | Michelin 215/40R17 slicks and wets, PAGID pads, Idemitsu 5W-40 engine oil and 75W-90 gear oil, DOT 4 brake fluid; series fuel in 2025 was Sunoco 260 GT 100 octane. |
| Spares availability | Good. Flis Performance is Mazda's sole appointed builder and supplies Mazda Motorsports part numbers; all other parts must be stock 2019-on ND2 road-car parts. |
Where it races today
- IMSA Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup · Single class — ND2 with SADEV, Brembo kit, PAGID pads and Penske dampers. 2025 IMSA driver licence fee was $1,500. 12
- SCCA Club Racing · Touring 3 (T3) — Global MX-5 with SADEV runs on the pro series ruleset. 6
- SCCA Club Racing · Super Touring Lite (STL) — ND1 and ND2 Global cars with the standard transmission. 6
- SCCA Club Racing · E Production — The ND MX-5 is classified in EP; check the current rulebook for the Cup car configuration. 6
- Other series outside MX-5 Cup · Homologated spec — Both Multimatic DSSV and Penske dampers remain homologated for series other than MX-5 Cup. 11
- Global MX-5 Cup Japan · Single class — Started in 2017 with five rounds in Japan and a global final at Laguna Seca. 18
Market prices
- New 2016 ND1 car, launch price (first 108 units): 53,000 USD (2015-10) 1
- New ND1 car after September 2016 update: 58,900 USD (2016-09) 1
- New 2019 ND2 car: 68,000 USD (2018-10) 4
- New race-ready car, 2025 build, plus tax: 109,000 USD (2025-01) 12
- Used 2016 ND1 with SADEV, AiM logger, spare wheels (asking): 45,000 USD (2023-12) 15
- Used 2016 ND1, H-pattern with HD gear set, 240 engine hours (asking, reduced): 39,000 USD (2025-01) 16
The new price roughly doubled from $53,000 in 2015 to $109,000 in 2025, while 2016 ND1 cars were asked at $39,000-45,000 in 2023-2025. On 6 November 2026 racingcarnetwork.com had no MX-5 Cup listings.
Reference prices are dated and sourced; live asking prices are in the listings above.
Frequently asked questions
Is an MX-5 Cup car the same as a Spec Miata?
No. Spec Miata is a club class built from older road cars by owners. The MX-5 Cup car is a factory-built ND race car with a sealed engine, sealed ECU and, since 2020, a SADEV sequential gearbox. It is sold complete by Mazda's appointed builder.
Can an ND1 car still race in the pro series?
Only after conversion. Mazda sold ND2 upgrade parts from 2019, and the pro series has required the SADEV gearbox since 2020. Current rules also need the Brembo brake kit, bumper insert and Penske dampers. Unconverted H-pattern cars are classed in SCCA Super Touring Lite.
How often does the engine need rebuilding?
There is no published interval. The engine and ECU are sealed, and Flis's service guide covers fluids and chassis parts rather than engine rebuilds. Ask for logged hours from the AiM system. One 2016 car offered in 2025 still had its sealed factory engine at 240 hours.
Who builds and supports the car today?
Flis Performance in Daytona Beach has been Mazda's sole appointed builder since 2020, after Long Road Racing closed in 2019. Flis publishes the homologation document and technical bulletins and supports teams at series events. Parts carry Mazda Motorsports part numbers.
What does a used car cost compared with new?
In 2025 a new race-ready car started at $109,000 plus tax. Older 2016 ND1 cars were advertised at $39,000 to $45,000 between 2023 and 2025. Budget for ND2 conversion, the SADEV gearbox and current bulletin parts if you plan to race in the pro series.
Sources
- Mazda MX-5 Cup Pricing Update, Mazda North American Operations (2016-08) — Launch price, 108 units, $58,900 from Sept 2016, update contents, retrofits
- 100th Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Race Car Sold, Mazda North American Operations (2016-06) — Order opening date, Long Road Racing role, 100th car to Monticello
- This is How the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Car Is Built, The Truth About Cars (2017-04) — Build process, 120 cars in 2016, 2,415 lb minimum, GEMS ECU, DSSV dampers, VIN-tagged parts, 2017 gear set
- Enhancements For 2019 Mazda Global MX-5 Cup Announced, Mazda North American Operations (2018-10) — ND2 181 hp, 7,500 rpm, Bosch ECU, $68,000, upgrade kits
- 2019 Mazda MX-5 Cup ND2 Is a $68,000 Miata Worth Every Penny, The Drive (2019-03) — 26 hp gain over ND1, 800 rpm higher limit
- Mazda MX-5 Alphabet Soup, SCCA (2020-08) — SCCA T3, STL and EP classing; SADEV required in pro series from 2020; 221 cars built
- Q&A With Todd Flis, Mazda MX-5 Cup (2020-12) — SADEV about 60 percent developed in 2020, first Flis season
- Getting technical with the new Mazda MX-5 Cup gearbox, Tom Long Racing (2020-07) — SADEV introduction for 2020, Flis as series supplier
- ND.2 Mazda MX-5 Cup Homologation Document, Version 18, Flis Performance (2025-01) — Required TSBs (Brembo, PAGID, bumper insert), cooling bulletins, hose warning, ECU part, tyres, wheels, cage certificate
- Mazda MX-5 Cup ND.2 Basic Service Intervals Quick Guide, Flis Performance (2025-01) — Service intervals, fluids, rotor bell inspection, pump seals
- Mazda MX-5 Cup Car TSB 2024-11-25: Required Penske Dampers, Flis Performance (2024-11) — Penske dampers required for 2025, sealing, Penske-only service, DSSV still homologated elsewhere
- 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup Series Operations Manual brochure, Flis Performance / Mazda Motorsports (2025-01) — 2025 spec list, $109K plus tax price, entry and licence fees, prize money, fuel
- Flis Performance completes Mazda MX-5 Cup car build number 300, Flis Performance / MazdaMotorsports.com (2024-06) — Car 300, Flis takeover in 2020, 2022 Rookie of the Year
- MX-5 Cup Car Info, Mazda MX-5 Cup / Andersen Promotions (2026) — Current spec, Hiroshima base cars, Flis as sole builder, 2025 MY PMU controller, 2026 champion headline
- You Need This: ND1-chassis Mazda MX-5 Global Cup Car, Grassroots Motorsports (2023-12) — Used ND1 SADEV car asking $45,000
- 2016 Mazda MX-5 Global ND.1 for sale, Monticello Motor Club (2025-01) — Used ND1 asking $39,000, 240 engine hours, HD gear set rebuilt 2024
- Mazda MX-5 Cup, Wikipedia (2026) — Series history 2003 onward, NC era, Long Road Racing closure, IMSA from 2021, champions
- Global MX-5 Cup Japan 2017 season announcement, Car Watch (Impress) (2017-03) — Japan series start 2017, five rounds, Laguna Seca final
- Mazda MX-5 Cup Race Car Purchase Agreement rev 23, Features List, Flis Performance (2023-02) — 2023 build contents, cage for 6 ft 4 in drivers, LHD and RHD cage, AiM logger
- Search results for mx-5 cup, Racing Car Network (2026-11) — No MX-5 Cup listings on 6 November 2026
Did you know
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