Mazda, RoboPong, Bridgestone & RACERSITES.COM Support New Castle 200
September 27, 2007

Just two weeks before teams hit the track, New Castle Motorsports Park announced the 200 mile event has garnered support from Mazda, RoboPong, Bridgestone and RACERSITES.COM. The event will be labeled the Mazda RoboPong 200 presented by Bridgestone, set to take place October 13-14, 2007. With the help of the title and presenting sponsors, the event will be taped for a one hour broadcast to air on SpeedTV, with the initial date to be announced at a later time.

“First of all I want to thank four men and their companies for supporting what I believe is quickly becoming the premier event in the sport of kart racing,” stated Mark Dismore - owner of the New Castle Motorsports Park. “John Doonan of Mazda, Joey Newgarden of RoboPong along with Al Speyer and Kevin Hunley from Bridgestone/Firestone have stepped up to support this race and allow it to be broadcast for the second straight year. Thanks to their efforts and Terry Lingner from Lingner Group Productions, the race will be televised for one hour this year, up from 30 minutes last year.”

Last year, over 1000 spectators converged to the facility, located 45-minutes outside Indianapolis, IN, to watch their favorite IRL, NASCAR, and USAC drivers compete among some of the best in karting.

“The Mazda RoboPong 200 presented by Bridgestone is a test of preparation, patience and teamwork,” continued Dismore in his statement regarding the announcement. “I’m excited about the past, present and especially the future of this event along with all the plans that NCMP has for the future of promoting this sport and giving credit to the drivers and teams that they deserve.”

Last year the event had a total payout of $25,000 and this year’s race will payout at least that amount with the winning team taking a minimum of $5,000 and payback through the 20th position paying a minimum of $300. RACERSITES.COM has stepped up to offer an additional $500 for the pole position winner, $250 for the fastest race lap and $250 for the most laps lead in the race.

Much like last year, professional drivers will be competing in the event with a good handful of drivers signed up on teams already. IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon has supported the event since the beginning and will again return this year, looking to add to the 2005 victory with Comet Kart Sales’ Mark Dismore Jr. 2006 winner’s entry of Paulie Harraka and NASCAR’s Ricky Rudd is questionable right now with Rudd on the injured reserve list with a separated shoulder.

Thus far, four other IndyCar Series drivers are scheduled to compete this year (Scott Dixon, Vitor Meira, AJ Foyt IV, Robby McGehee) along with three other Indy Pro Series pilots including 2006 series champion and Screaming Talent kart shop owner Jay Howard, former 2003 ICA national champion Robbie Pecorari, and Travis Gregg. USAC drivers Lynsey Tilton, Chuck Gurney Jr., Brian Gerster, and Michael Lewis are also scheduled to race along with many former karters and current karting stars.

The first event in 2005 saw 40 teams battle the weather and the race distance before double the number of teams to 80 last year with only 56 earning spots to the main event. As of Wednesday, roughly 60 teams have entered for the event.

A new addition to the event will be an exhibition vintage race with karts from the 1960’s and 70’s. There will be dual and triple engine karts to running prior to the start of the 200 lap event along with displaying the machines throughout the weekend.