Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Rhys Millen Racing Partner to Compete in 2012 Formula Drift Series

COSTA MESA, Calif., April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America today announced its continued partnership with Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) to compete in the 2012 Formula Drift series. Hyundai will be lead sponsor of the RMR Genesis Coupe driven by former Formula Drift champion and acclaimed stunt driver, Rhys Millen.

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Available at dealerships now, the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is significantly refreshed for the 2013 model year, with aggressive powertrain and styling enhancements sure to appeal to purist, rear-drive sport coupe buyers. The Formula Drift competitive car has been extensively drift-prepared by RMR, making more than 600 horsepower to create the extreme drift angles and blinding smoke both fans and judges love to see. This race-prepared powertrain is further evidence of the engineering durability of core Hyundai production engine components used, including engine block, heads, and more.

"Formula Drift is the best race-fan oriented example of extreme car-control driving. It's also the best competitive arena for us to highlight the rear-drive power and handling finesse of the new Genesis Coupe," explains Steve Shannon, vice president of marketing, Hyundai Motor America.  "It's thrilling when a driver of Rhys Millen's caliber combines tire-smoking power with surgical drifting precision. And, in addition to the intense drifting action, Hyundai will provide trackside interactive facilities where drift fans can check out its latest products, driving games, music partnerships and race fan gifts. With the thousands who joined us at our interactive area in 2011, we intend to expand our fan outreach even further in 2012."

"I'm pleased to have Hyundai's ongoing support for the 2012 season," Millen said. "This begins the fourth year of our racing relationship with Hyundai, and we want to continue to build upon our success in both developing and racing Hyundai's race-proven products."  Millen stands to build on momentum from last season's success with a win in Las Vegas and runner-up in Irwindale, the final races of the 2011 season. "The refreshed 2013 Genesis Coupe with direct injection and twin-scroll turbocharger technology leverages the proven performance of Hyundai's rear-drive coupe, making it a perfect choice for anyone interested in competitive driving events," said the 2005 Formula Drift Champion.  Millen will be the exclusive driver for the entire Formula Drift season, challenging the field with strong potential for the 2012 championship. The RMR Hyundai Genesis Coupe will make its competitive debut at the first event of the 2012 Formula Drift series, April 6th and 7th in Long Beach, California. 

In addition to Formula Drift, Hyundai and RMR continue to join forces in the thrilling new motorsport of rallycross, challenging the best from Ford, Subaru, Dodge and Citroen in the 2012 Global RallyCross Championship Series. RMR has extensively fine-tuned the RMR Veloster rallycross car with insights gained from an exciting rookie season in 2011. The RMR Veloster rallycross season kicks off in Las Vegas on April 21.

2012 FORMULA DRIFT SCHEDULE

April 6-7: Streets of Long Beach, California

May 11-12: Road Atlanta, Georgia

June 1-2: Palm Beach International Raceway, Florida

June 22-23: Wall Speedway, New Jersey

July 20-21: Evergreen Speedway, Washington

August 24-25: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nevada

October 12-13: Irwindale Speedway, California

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 800 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 warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. 

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

Journalists are invited to visit our news media website:  www.hyundainews.com

RHYS MILLEN
World Champion driver Rhys "Mad Skills" Millen pilots the RMR Hyundai Genesis Coupe in the Formula Drift Championship.  Millen's driving credentials include movie and advertising stunts, multiple drifting championships, a Pikes Peak world record and his 2008 New Year's Eve Las Vegas truck flip at Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. Behind Millen's success in the driver's seat is an experienced team of engineers and expert fabricators in race preparation.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America