Kia Scores First Ever Win in Motor Racing

Kia Motors must still be celebrating, as the company registered its first ever motorsport victory over the weekend. Michael Galati and Nic Jonsson (driving pair) claimed the first position in the Street Tuner (ST) class of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) race in Birmingham, Alabama. The two used the No. 10 Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup.

An important number of Kia dealers and team members from Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) came to the Barber Motorsports park to watch the company compete in the Barber 200, only the third race following the team’s debut year (2010).

"After starting the year with two top 10 results and our first podium finish, we arrived at Barber Motorsports Park with high expectations and our sights set on earning Kia's first-ever victory," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America.

"With the proximity to KMMG, the Barber race was a bit of a homecoming for us, and the efforts of Michael, Nic and the entire Kinetic Motorsports crew led to this tremendous milestone.  Notching our first win with a large number of Kia team members and dealers cheering us on made the result even more memorable."

In addition to the win, another pair, Adam Burrows and Trebor Hop, recorded their first top 10 finish of the year in the No. 12 Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup.

"It's nearly unheard of for a second year racing program to stand on top of the podium, and today was a special day for Kia Motors and Kinetic Motorsports," said Jonsson.