Kia Racing is all about power and agility, and a winning combination of world-class vehicles and expert drivers has made the automaker a favorite on the racetrack. This year has already started off well for the Kia Motors team, with big wins over old and new rivals alike. Here are some of the latest updates:
January 31, 2012: Nic Jönsson and Andy Lally co-piloted the number 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup at Daytona International Speedway, coming in second place. The accomplishment marks Kia Racing’s second straight podium finish at Daytona.
- March 24, 2012: Kia Motors became the first Korean automaker to compete in the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) with two turbo-charged Optima sedans built by Kia’s racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports. The number 36 and number 38 Infinity Audio Optimas turned heads as they made their debut in St. Petersburg, Florida. Driver Michael Galati captured Kia’s first top-10 finish in the brand’s debut PWC event, and both Optimas successfully completed the race.
- April 15, 2012: Kia Racing recorded its first-ever podium finish on the famous Streets of Long Beach circuit, part of the Pirelli World Challenge. The number 38 Optima raced to the finish line with driver Colin Braun behind the wheel, dazzling the massive crowd filled with Kia fans and employees.
In addition to Nic Jönsson and Andy Lally, two of Kia’s other drivers are brothers, Mathew and Mark Pombo, sons of the famous driver Pepe Pombo. Upcoming events for Kia Racing include the Continental Tire 150 GRAND-AM in Watkins Glen, New York (June 29 through July 1); the Infineon Raceway Pirelli World Challenge in Sonoma, California (August 24 through 26); and the Lime Rock Park GRAND-AM in Lakeville, Connecticut (September 28 through 30).
View the photo gallery and watch race videos online at www.kia.com/#/motorsports.
