Following many successful years running the RX-7 in IMSA's GTO class and MX-6 in the GTU class, Mazda chose to take on a new challenge. Although Mazda had supported the use of their rotary engines in GTP prototypes in the past, Mazda wished to compete with the likes of Porsche, Nissan, Jaguar and Toyota with a full factory effort. This would coincide with Mazda's continued running of the World Sportscar Championship in Europe, as well as the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship at home.