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Officials from MPI Inc. USA and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) have announced a multi-year agreement that will see the leading motorsports steering wheel supplier become a ‘Proud Partner of HSR.’
Within the new agreement, MPI has been named the ‘Official Steering Wheel Supplier of HSR’ and the title presenting sponsor of HSR’s new MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award.
Founded in 2009 by Max Papis and Tatiana Fittipaldi Papis, MPI has grown into a worldwide industry leader in the motorsports steering wheel sector. The MPI collections, collaborations and product lines are vast, offering steering wheels for everything from oval track racing to road racing and from drag racing to even racing simulator system fitments. It all adds up to MPI’s accomplished history in worldwide professional motorsports, including being the exclusive supplier of steering wheels to all teams competing in the internationally popular Australian Supercars Championship.
The HSR partnership provides MPI with not only the official product designation but also the presenting rights to the exciting new MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award. The highest ‘off-track’ and non-competition honor in HSR’s nearly 50-year history, the MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award will annually recognize a worthy HSR member who best displays season-long passion, integrity and generosity for and within historic motorsports throughout the season.
MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award candidates will be members of the HSR membership community displaying the traits of heritage preservation, responsible restoration and renovation, youth mentorship, paddock and community spirit, leadership and integrity and an overall commitment to philanthropy and ‘giving back’.
Papis will serve with other motorsports and paddock leaders on the MPI Spirit of Motorsport Selection Committee, which will be established in preparation for the first presentation of the honor in 2026.
Additionally, MPI has also stepped up to offer the complementary MPI Performance & Passion Award this year. Scheduled to be presented at the 2025 HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods, the Performance & Passion honor will be awarded to the competitor demonstrating the best ‘heart, hustle and horsepower’ throughout the oldest HSR Classic Endurance Championship presented by Mission Foods race.
One of the most popular drivers with fans and even his competitors in his career, Papis was known for his overall positive outlook and embracing the qualifying traits of both the MPI Spirit and MPI Performance & Passion awards. A professional driver since the age of 12, Papis raced in Formula 1, ChampCar, IndyCar, IMSA, Grand-Am, IROC and the NASCAR Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series.
Papis is a two-time Rolex 24 At Daytona overall winning co-driver and joined Scott Pruett in co-driving to the 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype season championship. Additionally, he still holds the record for having the most NASCAR race starts by a European driver.
During his long racing career, Papis collaborated with several top steering wheel manufacturers, which built his passion for and understanding of the business. His main goal has been to apply this experience and knowledge to produce state-of-the-art products for the motorsports community.
Next up on the 2025 HSR calendar is the HSR VIR Historics at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), September 4 – 7.
“We at MPI are incredibly excited to join forces with HSR,” said Papis. “When John Doonan brought us the idea, my team and I were immediately on board. This partnership brings together MPI’s passion for safety, innovation and craftsmanship with HSR’s legendary role as a leader in historic and vintage motorsports. We’re proud to support the preservation of iconic race cars by handcrafting solutions that respect the past while integrating modern safety in addition to introducing with HSR a new and soon-to-be coveted award and unique trophy to a racing community I deeply love.”
John Doonan, HSR President, said: “We are delighted to have MPI join our growing HSR partnership family and look forward to a long and productive relationship with Max, Tatiana, their family, and everyone at MPI. We are excited to introduce MPI steering wheels and the company’s other quality products to our HSR member competitors. The passion and high-power progeny Max and Tati together bring to our paddock alone makes MPI the perfect fit for both the new MPI Spirit of Motorsport Award and the MPI Performance & Passion Award at this year’s HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods. Even better, MPI will have an immediate presence in the HSR paddock as we begin the second half of the 2025 season, and we can’t wait to get this fantastic new partnership started.”
