It’s been a tough few years for SpeedSource, racing in IMSA with Mazda as its nominated factory effort, racing updated Lola chassis before launching its 2017 DPi challenger.
No wins, and no titles to its name ultimately led to Team Joest being drafted in for Mazda’s 2018 IMSA effort, a deciding factor in its decision to close its doors this year, in the wake of its all-important factory partnership coming to an end.
Nevertheless, SpeedSource’s history in US sportscar racing is lengthy, the team racing in the USA for 22 years before shutting up shop. It’s biggest achievements came with Mazda, racing the legendary Wankel-engined RX-8s, which it developed, in the Grand Am SportsCar Series GT class, winning the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, and later winning the GT class championship with Emil Assentato.
Through the years, outside of its various chassis, plenty of quality drivers have also been through Speedsource’s doors, including the likes of John Edwards, Adam Christodoulou, and current Mazda drivers Jonathan Bomarito and Spencer Pigot.
With all that in mind, here’s a look back at all of Speedsource’s key cars over its years spent racing in the top flight of IMSA, working back from the Mazda DPi RT24P, its last programme.
Speedsource through the years
2017 – IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championsip – Mazda RT24-P DPi
2016 – IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championsip – Mazda Prototype
2015 – IMSA United SportsCar Championship – Mazda Prototype
2014 – IMSA United SportsCar Championship – Mazda Prototype
2013 – Rolex Grand Am SportsCar Series – Mazda6 GX
2012 – Rolex Grand Am SportsCar Series – Mazda RX-8
2011 – Rolex Grand Am SportsCar Series – Mazda RX-8
2010 – Rolex Grand Am SportsCar Series – Mazda RX-8 – Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona win & 5x GT class title
2009 – IMSA Grand Am SportsCar Series – Mazda RX-8 – 2x GT Class Wins
2008 – IMSA Grand Am SportsCar Series – Mazda RX-8 – Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona class win & 4x GT class wins
2007 – IMSA Grand Am SportsCar Series – Mazda RX-8 – 3 x GT class wins
2006 – IMSA Grand Am SportsCar Series – Mazda RX-8
2004 – IMSA Grand Am SportsCar Series – Multimatic MDP1