Kia Racing's No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup Claims Second-Place at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

LEXINGTON, Ohio, June 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Round five of the 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was an historic day for Kia Racing.  The No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup driven by brothers Mark and Mathew Pombo finished second in the Street Tuner (ST) class, marking a first-ever podium finish for the No. 12 machine.  The Pombos, who won this event last year, capitalized on a third-place qualifying effort and flawless work in the pits by the Kinetic Motorsports crew to claim their first podium as members of the Kia Racing team. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120609/LA21954-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120609/LA21954-b )

"It was great to get the No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup on the podium for the first time for Kia Racing.  We've had a strong car all year, and we just knew that we were due for a good run today," said Mathew Pombo.  "Mid-Ohio has been good to us in the past, having won here last season, so we were excited to come back here and get the No. 12 Koup up towards the front where it belongs."

Co-driver and younger brother Mark Pombo, who qualified the No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup third and drove the first half of the race, kept the Kia inside the top five through the first hour of the 2.5-hour contest before handing off to big brother Mathew.

"The No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup performed spectacularly today.  The crew did a phenomenal job, and the cars were fast right off the truck," said Mark Pombo.  "My brother and I are really excited to get the 12 car its first podium finish and look to keep the momentum going heading into the second half of the season."

Kia Racing teammates Andy Lally and Nic Jonsson, meanwhile, also had a shot at the Mid-Ohio podium, but had to settle for 11th when a spin dropped the No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup back in the field. The result was good enough, however, for Lally and Jonsson to extend their lead in the driver and team championship standings, and Kia sits second in the manufacturer's championship, behind BMW and ahead of Mazda.

Next up for the Kia Racing team is round six at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc.  Kia Racing fans can keep up on the latest news, photos and videos at www.facebook.com/kiaracing.  The EMCO Gears Classic from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will be televised on Sunday, June 17 at 12:00 p.m. ET on SPEED.  With the launch of GRAND-AM TV, race fans can watch any Rolex or CTSCC race 72 hours after the SPEED broadcast at GRAND-AM.com.

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 and LPGA.  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