KIA MOTORS AMERICA UNVEILS U.S. MOTORSPORTS PROGRAM
Forte Koup Will Enter GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car
Challenge Series Street Tuner (ST) Class
LAS VEGAS, November 3, 2009 The all-new 2010 Kia Forte Koups motto One Hot Ride took on a new meaning today as Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled its U.S. motorsports program at the 2009 SEMA Show. KMA has teamed with the Kinetic Group to build and campaign two Forte Koups in the 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge Series in the Street Tuner (ST) class.
The Forte Koup is the latest chapter in the dramatic Kia brand transformation story, and the decision to enter into the motorsports arena was an easy one to make, said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. The Forte Koups performance-inspired styling and outstanding driving dynamics make it a natural fit for road racing, and competing in GRAND-AMs KONI Challenge Series enables us to reach an entirely new and passionate base of automotive enthusiasts.
The GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Street Tuner (ST) class utilizes production-based race cars and has a wide variety of vehicles from the U.S., Europe and Asia, using weight and intake restrictions to maintain a level playing field for all entrants.
“We researched every form of auto racing in the U.S. to find a fan base that was aligned with our target demographics, and found GRAND-AM to be the perfect fit, said Sprague. In addition to working with the Kinetic Group, we are also proud that Infinity Audio, whose high-end audio systems are offered in several Kia vehicles, will join us as the Official Sponsor of the #10 Kia Forte Koup Race Car during our inaugural motorsports season.
As part of its motorsports team development, KMA identified and partnered with the Kinetic Group to develop, build and campaign the two Forte Koup KONI Challenge spec cars. Based outside of Atlanta, Kinetic provides a comprehensive array of in-house services, including fabrication, composites, paint and body, engine, and electronics departments. Kinetics staff of engineers, mechanics and crew have extensive race experience in many series, including NASCAR, Indy Racing League, the American Le Mans Series and the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series.
Completing the team, decorated drivers Andy Lally and Nic Jnsson have been secured to drive the two Forte Koup entries in the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series in 2010.
We expect the Forte Koup to be a strong competitor in the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series starting with the first race in Daytona, and the fact that drivers of Andy and Nics caliber have joined the team reinforces that expectation, said Sprague. Building on our involvement in the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series and in an effort to introduce the Kia brand to even more racing fans, apparel maker GoGoGear.com has created a highly modified version of the popular Soul urban passenger vehicle which will serve as the official pace car at several races throughout the 2010 US Touring Car Championship (USTCC) season.
About the Drivers
In the last seven years, driver Andy Lally has three professional championships 2006, 2004 and 2001 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and recently won the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona in the GT class. In addition to three Championships and two Rolex 24 wins, Lally currently holds the record for most top 3 and top 5 finishes in GRAND-AM Rolex Series history as well as the record for most podium finishes in a single season. He is third on the all time win list and the only three-time Rolex Series Champion. Lally also has stock car racing experience, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Craftsman Trucks, ARCA and Goodies Dash.
Nic Jnsson made his first professional start in 1989 and was the Scandinavian Formula 3
champion in 1990 and 1991. In 1992 he won the Scandinavian Touring Car title and finished second
in the European Formula 3 cup. Jnsson has raced touring cars, sports cars and Indy cars all over the
world and has competed in the American Le Mans series as well as the SPEED World Challenge
Touring car series. Jnsson, who is a highly sought-after test and development driver, scored his first
GRAND-AM victory in 2005 at the Six Hours at The Glen. Outside of sports car racing, Jnsson has
trained the Swedish royal family and secret-service agents in high-performance and self-defense
driving. A native of Sweden, Jnsson is the co-founder and owner of Kinetic Speed Shop.
About Kinetic Group
Kinetic is an automotive group that includes Kinetic Motorsports, Kinetic-Sunbelt Engines, and
Kinetic Speed Shop. Kinetic Motorsports taps into every aspect of professional and amateur racing,
from car builds to prep and trackside support. Every resource needed to develop, manage and run a
professional race team in any series is located on-site. Kinetic-Sunbelt Engines have powered
amateur and professional racers to numerous championships in North America. Kinetic Speed Shop
caters to aftermarket street performance. Kinetic’s 42,000 square foot, state-of-the-art showroom and
race complex is located in Buford, Georgia, just 15 minutes from Road Atlanta. More information can
be found online at www.kssmotorsports.com.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation
based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 650 dealers
throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S.
market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and
dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and
evoke the Kia tagline The Power to Surprise.
Kia Motors America is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA. Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.