Kinetic Motorsports places both Kia Forte Koups in top 20 at Homestead Miami Speedway
The view from the Summit
Although there is still snow on the ground at both k dealerships in metro Detroit, Kia’s inaugural racing season is in full swing as last weekend marked the second race in this year’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series at Florida’s Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Last weekend, Kia and Kinetic Motorsports managed to place both specially-prepared Kia Forte Koups in the top 20 final standings in the ST (Street Tuner) class as HD Radio(TM) Technology joins Kia’s U.S. motorsports program as an official sponsor.
Here is the pre-race press release from Kia:
IRVINE, Calif. – Following a top-20 finish in Kia Motors’ first-ever auto race on U.S. soil, the Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koups return to the track this weekend for the Homestead 200 on March 6 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Applying the lessons learned from 2.5-hours of road racing during the first GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series event at Daytona Speedway, Kia’s racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports, has made several modifications and adjustments to improve and enhance the Forte Koups‘ speed and responsiveness to driver input.
Following the debut in Daytona, Kinetic Motorsports has embarked on a header development program to improve engine breathing and oil levels, adjusted shifter cables to avoid overtravel and deliver more precise gear changes, and changed brake pedal feel based on driver feedback. Recent testing revealed improvements in platform stability and braking response while reliability remains strong.
“While we were pleased to reach the track and the initial result in Daytona, we know there is a lot more potential in the Kia Forte Koups and we’ve already seen significant performance improvements since the first race,” said Nic Jonsson, driver of the No. 10 car. “Despite the lack of racing experience in Kia’s DNA, there is no question that we are headed in the right direction with the Forte Koup development program and we are confident we will be faster at Homestead and as the season progresses.”
In their debut event, the No. 12 car piloted by the 2007 GRAND-AM ST champions Trevor Hopwood and Adam Burrows proved to be a reliable performer and finished 19th after starting in the 31st position. Meanwhile, the No. 10 car piloted by Nic Jonsson and Andy Lally provided an in-cockpit view of the race from its roof-mounted and in-car SPEED TV cameras, which will once again be utilized at Homestead.
In addition to mechanical refinements, the No. 10 and No. 12 Kia Forte Koups will also have a slightly altered appearance at Homestead with the addition of HD Radio Technology as an official sponsor of KMA’s motorsports program. HD Radio Technology, invented by iBiquity Digital Corporation, is the DIGITAL evolution of AM and FM radio, adding new features like crystal-clear sound, new local FM channels, on-screen information and much more – all 100% Subscription Free. HD Radio Technology will be available on select 2011 model year Kia vehicles.
The Forte Koup’s performance-inspired styling and outstanding driving dynamics are a perfect fit for road racing, making Kia Motors’ first two-door coupe the logical choice for KMA’s initial motorsports efforts. The two-door, front-wheel-drive race cars utilize the Forte Koup production car’s 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine.
Stay tuned to the SPEED Channel
The number 12 Kinetic Motorsports Kia Forte Koup (Burrows/Hopwood) finished in 17th place in its class, while the number 10 car (Jonsson/Lally) finished in 20th place in the same class. And for those of you who missed the race on Saturday, last weekend’s race will be re-broadcast on the SPEED channel at 1:00pm Eastern Time on Saturday, March 13th.
Get off the track and on the road!
To see for yourself why everyone at Summit Place Kia is so excited about the new 2010 Kia Forte Koup, you need to take one for a test drive. To schedule an appointment, or for more information on the entire line-up of high quality, affordable Kias, you can contact us at our Waterford store by calling 248-682-6002 or by dialing 734-397-9900 for our Canton store. You can also check us out on the web at www.summitplacekia.com. You can also visit us at either of our two locations: 2200 Elizabeth Lake Road in Waterford, just behind the Summit Place mall or in Canton at 41840 Michigan Avenue, just west of I-275. Once you’re there, you’ll see why everyone at metro Detroit’s sales leader and Proud Automotive Sponsor of Michigan Athletics would “Love to see ‘ya” in a Summit Place Kia!
