New MRP/Birel driver, Tad Funakoshi, makes immediate statement; Wesley Boswell also slated to join program THREE OAKS, MI - The MRP Motorsport team recently ICC driver, Tad Funakoshi, to pilot an MRP Motorsport/Birel for the 2003 season. The California driver has already shown what the MRP Experience has to offer after a successful debut at Infineon Raceway. The Californian will also be joined by S1 pilot, Wesley Boswell, also of California starting at the second round of the SKUSA ProMoto Western Zone in Texas. "We are very excited to have two great young drivers like Tad and Wesley join our MRP experience," said Garry Lobaugh, owner of MRP Motorsport. "We hope that we can continue in the success we have already had as a team. We are also excited about having these proven drivers instructing new "up-and-comers" at our MRP Speed School." For Tad "Bud" Funakoshi, the opportunity to run with the MRP Motorsport team has been a very positive experience. In his first outing at round #1 of the SKUSA ProMoto Western Zone at Infineon Raceway, the young Californian scored an impressive 3rd place podium position in the hotly contested ICC class. Funakoshi is no rookie driver, winning the SKUSA SuperNationals in Formula S1 last season and finishing with the #4 plate overall. Coming into a brand new team environment can be difficult but Funakoshi and the MRP Motorsport team made it look easy with the help of Victor Gonella at Kartworld, an MRP/Birel dealer in Petaluma, CA. "I have had a great experience with MRP so far," said Funakoshi of his new surroundings. "MRP provided a great tuner who was amazing with both the chassis and engine. The team's experience and knowledge with the Birel line is amazing and definitely made my decision easy to choose to work with them." Wesley Boswell, who will be joining the team in June, has had a strong career to date, consistently placing in the top five in national level competition in previous years and starting out this year with a dominating performance at Infineon Raceway sweeping both qualifying sessions and each race. The young driver looks forward to working with the MRP Motorsport team for the remainder of the season and staying with the Birel chassis. "MRP has proven that they have what it takes to put somebody up front as they did with Nick Bussell," said Boswell. "I am looking forward to the races ahead and Garry has even given me the opportunity to instruct at some of the MRP/Speed School summer sessions, which should be a great chance to pass along some of the things I have learned." For more information on MRP Motorsport's race program and how you too can be awarded with the MRP Experience, contact Chris Lobaugh or Josh Smith at MRP Motorsport (269-756-9181) or contact us via email at josh@mrpmotorsport.com.