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September 30, 2011 - Grant Quinlan Claims Triple Crown in WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Competition
To say that Grant Quinlan had a breakout season in 2011 would be an understatement. Competing in the World Karting Association (WKA) Manufacturer's Cup, the Birel America driver was one of the top pilots all season scoring twenty national level wins in the past two seasons, countless pole positions and fast lap awards on route to his first WKA Triple Crown Award.

It all started back at the WKA Daytona Kartweek in December of 2010. With the traditional first race being held on the grounds of the famed Daytona International Speedway, Quinlan rose to the challenge of the history that surrounds the facility to score four main event victories. Competing in the Cadet Junior Sportsman 1 and 2 divisions, Yamaha Junior Sportsman Lite and Heavy as well as the faster Komet Sportsman class, Quinlan proved from the very first race that he was on a mission.

A few short months later, it was in Northern Indiana that Quinlan once again stood at the forefront of the Sportsman divisions. Competing at the MRP of South Bend facility in South Bend, Indiana, Quinlan utilized track and team knowledge to the best of his ability on the way to another multiple victory weekend. Matching his win total from earlier in the year, Quinlan once again stood on the top step of the podium on four occasions, a great start to his 2011 campaign.

Crisscrossing the eastern half of North America, it was back south to Kershaw, South Carolina for round three in Manufacturer's Cup program. Competing at a track that not many drivers had been too and in much cooler temperatures than teams expected, Quinlan once again proved that he was a fixture at the front of the field. Though walking away with two less wins than the previous two rounds, the Birel driver was able to garner another pair of victories as well as key podium results that would help in the overall title chase come the end of the racing season.

"Grant proved that he is one of the drivers to beat through the first three rounds," expressed Tim Lobaugh, Head Engineer for the Birel America squad. "His feedback and commitment to winning is second to none and he has a great future ahead of him. He was a major player in helping Birel be the dominant chassis of the series and we thank him tremendously for that."

With the next event being held at the BeaveRun Motorsports Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania, Quinlan was looking to keep his winning streak alive. Competing in the same number of divisions as before, the up-and-coming talent had his most disappointing weekend of the season claiming only one main event victory. While most National level drivers would be happy to walk away with a win, this 12-year-old was not accustomed to coming home with less than multiple victories and vowed to make up for it in the fifth and final event.

Taking place at the New Castle Motorsports Park facility just east of Indianapolis, Quinlan once again found his race winning ways and stood atop the podium on multiple occasions. Taking three victories over the weekend, Quinlan secured three championships and the WKA Triple Crown award. Along with all the accomplishments in 2011, Quinlan was a major player in helping the Birel product line in winning the Manufacturer's Cup award for the fourth straight season.

Grant Quinlan would like to thank a host of people for the 2011 season. First and foremost, Quinlan would like to thank sponsors Birel America and MRP Motorsport as well as Team Engineers Tim and Chris Lobaugh. A special thank you also goes out to fellow Birel America team members Rick Goodwin, Jim Mastandrea and Dustin Richards as well as engine builders Adkins Engines, Fleming Engines and J-Power Engines. All of this would not be possible if it was not for all the great staff and the events that WKA puts together.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities on Birel America and Grant Quinlan, please contact Todd Quinlan at 519.723.4690 or via e-mail to tquinlan@kelcom.igs.net

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