Michael Galati Joins Kia Racing Program

A little over a year after it made its official debut on the American racing scene, South Korean manufacturer Kia has developed quite an appetite for the sports (an appetite fueled, of course, by the podium finish achieved at Daytona at the beginning of the month).

Having decided to continue with the endeavor, Kia announced today that it had hired driver Michael Galati as the driver for the No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup for the remainder of the GRAND-AM 2011 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season.

Galati will be replacing Andy Lally, who will be leaving for greener realms (dollar green, that is) of the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Galati will be seconded by Nic Jonsson, one of the Kinetic team co-owners, who also raced with Lally.

"Obviously, I am disappointed to lose Andy as a co-driver, we have had a lot of fun driving and watching the car's consistent improvement during last season and his contribution has been great, but I wish him well as he pursues his dream and wish him all the luck in the world,” Jonsson said.

“I have raced against Michael Galati on many occasions and to be able to add him to the team is a real positive for us. Michael is always incredibly fast and a careful pair of hands, and we think his immense experience in these sorts of cars will be a valuable addition to our team and I am excited to drive with him instead of against him."

Galati will make his debut behind the wheel of the Kia at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the next Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge takes place on March 4 and 5.