Driving Sports

Kia unveiled its U.S. motorsports program at the 2009 SEMA Show today. 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 Koup's performance-inspired styling and outstanding driving dynamics make it a natural fit for road racing, and competing in GRAND-AM's KONI Challenge Series enables us to reach an entirely new and passionate base of automotive enthusiasts."

We've got a Kia Forte sedan in the driveway right now as a test car - reprising our launch-drive of the car last summer, and with a little work we agree that this will be a fun car at the race track.

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.

Decorated drivers Nic Jönsson and Andy Lally have been secured to drive the Infinity Kia Forte Koup for the 2010 season. Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood, past KONI ST champions, will pilot the second team race car.

"We expect the Forte Koup to be a strong competitor in the series starting with the first race in Daytona, and the fact that drivers of Nic and Andy's caliber along with Adam and Trevor have joined the team reinforces that expectation," said Sprague.

We wish the Kia team all the best!