August 20, 2009 Brownsburg, IN -Team MKP is looking to have strong showings and the possibility of clinching the shop's first WKA Manufacturer's Cup National Title at next week's New Castle Raceway event.  With a podium finish, MKPower engine builder and shop co-owner, John Dixon will clinch the inaugural title in the TAG Masters division.  Dixon won his second straight event in the class at the July Road America event, and secured the WKA Regional Great Lakes Sprint Series TAG Masters title earlier this month at New Castle.  Dixon will be piloting a 2009 Birel R-32 with Sonik power, the same kart he set fast time at the GLSS event in TAG Senior. 

Other Team MKP drivers eager to return to New Castle are winners in last year's Man Cup event at the track: Logan Beardan and James Bennett. Beardan won the Cadet final, but has moved up to the Junior division this year along with Austin Self, who's also seeking his first win of the season. Bennett, the HPV Sportsman winner in 2008, looks to defend that title and add Cadet and Yamaha Sportsman crowns.  Other Team MKP drivers in the Junior division will include Jackson Mears (who's flirting with the top 10 in both HPV Jr. classes) and Morgan Fisher (Yamaha), both of whom are regulars at the New Castle track and are looking for good results at their "home races". 

Team MKP drivers in the sportsman divisions looking improve their resumes will be Garrett Madison in Cadet, Austin Osborne (2nd place at the GLSS Cadet race on Saturday) Collin Campbell (who scored multiple podiums at the GLSS event and last year's Man Cup event at New Castle), and Camden Donalson, winner of Sunday's GLSS Cadet class.  

On the Senior/Masters class side, Dixon will be joined Billy McLaughlin (in TAG and HPV), Evan Batt (TAG), Blake Deister (HPV), Mike Burrell (Yamaha Masters), and possibly the return of Dale Roller (Yamaha Masters, injured at the MRP South Bend event in May) .  McLaughlin is coming off double wins in GLSS TAG competition on his "vintage" Q31 Birel powered by a Vortex Rok TT.   Deister had a career best 2nd in HPV last year at NCMP, and looks to improve to the top step of the podium this year.  Evan Batt was third in a TAG final at last year's Man Cup in New Castle, but is considered an "expert" on the NCMP facility as he turns laps there almost daily in the summer. 

 "We're excited about our chances in every class we enter at this year's event," says MKP co-owner Bill McLaughlin.  "Team MKP has been doing great in the Junior Sportsman classes, Austin is back in winning form in the Junior classes, and Billy & Evan should be real tough in the TAG races both days.  I really believe this year's event will be a true statement of how far our team and shop are progressing."

Visit Team MKP at the New Castle WKA Manufacturer's Cup event in "the big tent, with the low prices"! Or visit us on the web at www.mkpshop.com or via phone at 317-858-8888 for more information on joining Team MKP -the #1 Birel/Freeline dealer in North America since 2007!