Hyundai And Rhys Millen Racing To Compete In 2013 ESPN Summer X-Games Global RallyCross Series With Veloster Rallycar

COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai and Rhys Millen Racing are once again teaming up for the Global RallyCross Series at the 2013 ESPN Summer X-Games in Los Angeles. This year's competition moves from the ultra-tight circuit on the streets of downtown Los Angeles to the purpose-built racing facility in Irwindale, California. This new circuit is sure to change the dynamics and strategy for the race, with more room for the late braking, passing, drifts and big-gap jumps that make this event a racing fan favorite.

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"I can't wait to get back in the Veloster Rallycar racing seat," said Millen. "Of course it's a great opportunity to go wheel-to-wheel with some of the best rally drivers in the world, right in our own backyard. Even more, it's a great opportunity to show off the performance potential of the Hyundai Veloster Rallycar, just a few miles from Hyundai headquarters. With Veloster's power and handling and my rally experience we're aiming to be first off the apex on Sunday."

Steve Shannon, vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America, echoed, "The Hyundai Veloster, with its high performance direct-injected, turbocharged powertrain and wide, aggressive stance, is the perfect sport coupe for enthusiasts of any lifestyle. It's great to team up again with a world-class racer like Rhys Millen to show Veloster's full potential. We're more than excited about our prospects on Sunday."

HYUNDAI RMR VELOSTER RALLYCAR

CHASSIS
RMR employees applied everything they know about fabricating racecars into the Veloster Rallycar. The production Veloster was stripped to bare metal and the chassis spent five days in an Alkali bath removing all rubber and adhesives. The chassis was also stitch welded for added structural rigidity.

CARBON/KEVLAR BODY PANELS
Millen quickly decided to take the already lightweight Veloster and make it even lighter. His crew took molds of the Veloster body panels to replicate them out of carbon/Kevlar. The hood, doors, quarter panels, front fascia and rear fascia are all built out of carbon/Kevlar. The carbon/Kevlar panels are 75 percent lighter than the sheet metal they replaced. Downforce has been further increased by a custom RMR rear wing. The hood is vented to dissipate heat.

SUSPENSION
The Hyundai RMR Veloster Rally car utilizes a custom suspension with generous travel for the big-gap jumps.

WHEELS, TIRES AND BRAKES
To ensure that the enhanced power plant translates all the way to track performance, RMR added custom built 18-inch HRE wheels and 245/40-18 Hankook Racing tires. Stopping power comes from 14-inch Alcon brake rotors and six piston Alcon calipers.

RMR VELOSTER RALLYCAR SPECIFICATIONS
Curb weight: 2,656 pounds
Engine: Hyundai 500-horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged
Transmission: Xtrac six-speed sequential
Transfer case: Xtrac four wheel drive
Front and rear differentials: Xtrac
Suspension: Proflex jumbo coil over
Front Brakes: 14-inch Alcon rotors with 6-piston Alcon calipers
Rear Brakes: 12-inch Alcon rotors with 6-piston Alcon calipers
Wheels: 18 x 8.5-inch HRE
Tires: 245/40-18 Hankook racing tire
Seats and harnesses: Sparco

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully-transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.    

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com

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