Engine builders turning out in full force for MAHLE competition

A record number of NASCAR engine builders are set to take part in the ninth annual MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown on May 20.

Twenty-four engine builder teams – including those from almost every NASCAR Sprint® Cup race team, as well as teams from Nationwide® Series and Craftsman® Truck Series races – have signed up for this year’s contest. This marks the second consecutive year the Showdown fields a record-breaking number of participating teams. In 2007, a total of 19 NASCAR engine builder teams participated in the Showdown.

The MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown, presented by MAHLE Clevite Inc., pits top NASCAR engine builders in a race to build and successfully run a Sprint Cup 357-cubic inch Ford engine in the shortest time possible. Through a process of three rounds of preliminary and semi-final eliminations, the competition culminates in a final showdown between the two fastest teams.

“I spoke with many of the NASCAR engine builders competing in this year’s Showdown and they’re revved up and ready to go. They not only want to win the Showdown, they’re out to break last year’s engine build record,” Bill McKnight, Team Leader — Training for MAHLE Clevite says.

The Pro Motor Engine team of Dennis Borem and Darrell Hoffman won the 2007 Showdown with a record-setting engine build of 16 minutes and 25 seconds, with no penalties. This winning time includes 60 seconds of hot running time.

“Watching the Showdown teams in action is something to behold. It gives you a greater appreciation for the amazing talents of these outstanding NASCAR engine builders,” adds McKnight.

MAHLE Clevite presents the winning team with the Showdown’s grand prize — the Randy Dorton Memorial Trophy plus a cash prize of $26,000. The Showdown runner-up team receives $9,000. Overall, the competition awards a total prize package of more than $50,000.

MAHLE Clevite hosts all preliminary rounds of the MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown at the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI), in Mooresville, N.C. The final round of the competition takes place on May 20, also at NTI.