MDK Motorsports is set to launch an impressive six-car, three-class assault on the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship, kicking off next week at Sebring International Raceway.
Five new faces will line up alongside team founder and two-time Masters class champion Mark Kvamme when official practice begins next Wednesday (March 13) at 9:40 a.m. at Sebring.
Two racers join the MDK squad from the hotly contested Mobil 1 Porsche Supercup championship, the global pinnacle of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup competition.
British racer Gus Burton made an immediate impact on the competition this week when he topped the overall times in testing at the Porsche Carrera Cup North America pre-season test at Sebring.
Burton was the top rookie in the British Carrera Cup Championship in 2022 and graduated to Supercup competition last year. For season 2024, he will drive the No.20 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for MDK Motorsport.
Also joining MDK this year from Supercup is American racer Yves Baltas. The New Yorker will actually be competing in his home country in cars for the first time this year after karting took him to Europe as a teenager.
He made his Supercup debut last year after progressing through the European single-seater system but is headed home in 2024 to drive the No.15 entry for MDK.
MDK Motorsports’ two other Pro class recruits include former Champ car racer Dan Clarke and Porsche Motorsport North America Female Program member Sabre Cook.
Clark returned to competition for the first time in more than ten years last season when he raced in Porsche Carrera Cup North America. He scored three podium finishes and finished sixth in the championship standings.
The Indianapolis-based British racer will drive the No.64 entry for MDK in 2024.
Cook returns to competition after missing the final two weekends of the 2023 championship. She suffered a concussion when her car was struck by a spinning rival at the end of the back straight at Indianapolis last year.
The talented racer/engineer competed internationally in the Formula W series before making her Carrera Cup debut last season. She will drive the No. 37 for MDK this year.
MDK Motorsport will also be represented in the Pro-Am and Masters classes again this season. Kenton King graduates to Carrera Cup after competing in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama in 2023. King will be aboard the No.74 Porsche for MDK this year.
Mark Kvamme completes the line-up in the Masters class – the MDK founder chasing his third-consecutive series championship aboard the No.43 Racing to End Alzheimers entry.
“I’m completely thrilled about our 2024 line-up and really looking forward to kicking off the championship next week,” Kvamme said.
“Between the six cars, we completed 1,945 miles of running at the pre-season test, and I think we are kicking off this year’s championship in a very strong position.
“To head the times at the test was an excellent sign – especially considering the strength of the competition we face and the fact that Gus had never driven here at Sebring previously.
“At Sebring, we had a total of nine Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machines on track, including three in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, where we finished the weekend with three podium finishes.
“It’s really beneficial that both Sprint Challenge and Carrera Cup will be on the same Yokohama tire in 2024. Having access to that additional data will help each and every one of our drivers this year.
“We are leaving no stone unturned to chase championship wins again this season. We already have an exceptional group of people here at MDK headed by Team Manager Geoff Abel, but bringing in somebody with the incredible experience of Jan Magnussen will continue to help drive us forward.”
Carrera Cup action begins on Wednesday, March 13, with the opening two practice sessions. Qualifying and round one will be contested on Thursday, March 14, with round two set to race into the night at Sebring on Friday, March 15, starting at 7:15 p.m.
