Kia Racing Revs Up for Its 2012 Pirelli World Challenge Series Debut on the Streets of St. Petersburg

IRVINE, Calif., March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) and its racing partner Kinetic Motorsports are revved up and ready to attack the track when the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) series kicks off its 2012 season on the demanding Streets of St. Petersburg Saturday, March 24.  The PWC brings new tracks and competition to Kia Racing, but coming off the championship-winning season with the Infinity Audio Forte Koups in the 2011 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, hopes are high that the high-octane momentum continues into 2012 with the impressive turbocharged Optimas in the GTS class.

"Beginning a new race season with new cars in a new series is a very exciting opportunity for the Kia brand," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  "The Kia Racing team and Kinetic Motorsports did a phenomenal job in building and preparing the turbocharged Optimas for GTS competition, and we're looking forward to competing in the Pirelli World Challenge this year as well as defending our GRAND-AM titles from 2011."

The start of the season may be just days away, but Kia Racing has been busy behind the scenes for months.  The team at Kinetic has been meticulously building, preparing and testing the turbocharged Optimas during the off season.  Galati and Braun look to take advantage of the incredible handling and balance the Optimas possess when they take to the 14-turn city-street course in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2012 PWC season kick off in St. Petersburg on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25.  Check out live race status, photos, and updates at facebook.com/kiaracing and watch live streaming race coverage at world-challengetv.com at 5:50 p.m. ET on Saturday and 10:50 a.m. ET on Sunday.  Race fans can also tune in for television coverage on the new NBC Sports Network on Sunday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA."  In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S.  Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

SOURCE Kia Motors America