CoolDrive Partners with Max Papis and MPI

28 Jun, 2023

CoolDrive Auto Parts has partnered with global motor racing legend Max Papis to be the exclusive distributor in Australia and New Zealand for MPI [Max Papis Innovations].

The MPI range of performance and racing products including its range-topping steering wheels for vehicles such as circuit, drag, dirt, stock car, speedway, SxS, powerboat and golf carts, as well as other specialty items, will shortly be available from CoolDrive branches and Racer Industries’ stores.

This new supply partnership is the first time MPI products will be available in Australia and New Zealand and was made official at May’s MotorEx where the Racer Industries stand featured a MPW performance car build from Adam Rogash fitted with the new MPI-DRG2 steering wheel now commonly seen on no-prep drag cars throughout the USA.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with MPI and having its performance and racing products available exclusively through CoolDrive Auto Parts and Racer Industries stores nationwide, in what is the first official expansion of MPI outside the USA,” said Richard Janssen, Category Manager – Performance at CoolDrive Auto Parts.

According to MPI owner and founder Max Papis, this partnership with CoolDrive - and the Blanchard family - reinforces MPI’s commitment to providing high-quality safety and innovative solutions to the automotive industry.

Max developed the MPI steering wheel range following an accident while racing NASCAR that broke both his wrists, with this attention to safety an integral part of his dedication to ensuring driver safety in all forms of motorsport. 

“The Blanchard family has a tremendous reputation in the Australian and New Zealand automotive industries, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them as our partners. We are eager to bring MPI’s safety and innovations to new markets and are committed to a long-term relationship with CoolDrive,” said Max Papis.

MPI has also recently been confirmed as a new partner of the Supercars Championship, with all teams and drivers to be exclusively running a MPI steering wheel, which CoolDrive will provide in its role as a key supplier to the Championship.

“Motorsport has always been a part of the CoolDrive business, and our involvement in the sport has increased significantly in recent years, which included the integration of Racer Industries into the business and of course the Blanchard Racing Team with CoolDrive Racing,” continued Richard Janssen.

CoolDrive is also handling the supply of category-specific items for Super2 and Super3, including the control wheels, fire systems and fuel cells for the Supercars category, where Racer Industries is the sole appointed supplier.