Kia Forte Koups Make California Racing Debut
On the heels of Kia Racing’s second GRAND-AM victory of the year at Road America last month, the Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koups return to the track in Kia Motors America’s (KMA) home state of California for the eighth round of the 2011 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
With three races remaining in the CTSCC season, Kia Racing and partner Kinetic Motorsports have their sights set on improving in the ST Engine Manufacturer standings, while the No. 10 Forte Koup piloted by Michael Galati and Nic Jonsson aims to keep the top spot in the ST Team standings and Jonsson – currently the top ST driver – hopes to inch closer to a championship, says KMA.
With renewed momentum following the win at Road America, Kia’s second-year racing program heads to the West Coast where it will be greeted at the track in Salinas, Calif., by a large traveling party of KMA team members from the company’s U.S. headquarters as well as a large contingent of dealers from throughout the Northern California area.
According to KMA, the 2.24-mile, 11-turn road course with elevation changes and sweeping high-speed turns should make for an exciting race and play to the Forte Koup’s strengths.
“Our second win of the season has given the entire Kia family cause for celebration, but we still have three races left to go this season,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.
Co-drivers of the No. 12 Forte Koup – Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood – will celebrate their 50th race start as a team this weekend hoping to improve upon their sixth-place finish at Road America.
The race will be broadcast on Sunday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET on the SPEED Channel.
