Miami, FL (December 5, 2008) - Italian NASCAR driver Max Papis will compete with MRP Motorsport / Birel in the Masters division at the 2008 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) All-Stars Karting Classic, on December 11th. Papis will run Birel chassis with Rotax powerplants supported by MRP-Motorsport, the North American importer for Birel racing karts and American Distributor for Rotax karting engines.
Max Papis will be a new face at the All-Stars Karting Classic and is looking forward to taking the Birel product line to victory lane in the annual event. MRP Motorsport / Birel will also be represented by AJ Allmendinger in the Masters division, and by Wes Phillips in the Karter division.
“Everyone at MRP Motorsport is looking forward to this event,” said Marc Miller, Director of Brand Development for MRP Motorsport. “I’d like to thank Max and AJ for their participation as well as Turn 1 Prosports and MAZDA for working with us to help field Wes Phillips in the Karter division. Between these drivers, we have no doubt that the Birel and Rotax brands will be well represented.”
Max has recently announced his association with GEICO and Germain Racing, to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the next four years, driving the # 13 GEICO Toyota Camry. Max has competed in everything from Rotax powered karts to several forms of professional motorsports including the Formula One World Championship, Grand Am Series, IndyCar Series, American Le Mans Series, Champ Car, International Race of Champions as well as the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Sprint Cup Series. He has scored multiple strong runs in almost every series of competition and will look to do the same on December 11th.
“It is great to race at the PRI show and expose karting to a big audience. I'm pleased to continue my association with BIREL, one of the oldest karting manufacturers in the world. I represent them on the karting tracks with my Team Max Papis Racing with Fittipaldi, and have the support of MRP for competitive equipment and assistance,” said Papis. “It will be a blast to be on the track with many friends and other drivers in a more relaxed environment and I'm looking forward to seeing new talents in the Karting division as well. Go-kart is the route where I began my career and without it I would have never achieved all the success and be where I am now. I'm glad to promote a great sport that helped me grow from a kid with a dream, into a NASCAR driver,” Max added.
The PRI show takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from December 11 – 13 with the All-Stars Karting Classic taking place on the evening of December 11.
For more information on Stars of Karting Series, please visit www.StarsofKarting.com
For more information about Max Papis, please visit www.maxpapis.com and www.factsaboutmax.com
For more information about MRP Motorsport, please visit www.mrpmotorsport.com