Kia recently managed to win two motosports championships in the 2011 Continental Tire Sports Challenge, despite having very little experience in the racing arena. Since capturing the championship, Kia has decided to expand in the racing sector by creating two new turbocharged Kia Optima vehicles. The two vehicles will race in the Pirelli World Challenge Championships branded "World Challenge Optima SX(s)." They will compete in the Grand Touring Sport (GTS) class along with some of the oldest racing breeds in the world,  Mustang, Camaro, and more.

The World Challenge, sponsored by SCAA Pro Racing, incorporates experienced drivers and race-ready versions of vehicles from several popular vehicle manufacturers throughout the world. The Kia Optimas will be a Korean vehicle debut in the popular challenge. The World Challenge is historically known for its suspenseful standing start and exciting 50-minute sprint races.

Michael Sprague, who is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Kia Motors America, says of the venture, "As a brand with no previous racing experience in America, for Kia to win two motorsports championships in just its second year is an incredible accomplishment, and expanding our motorsports footprint with the turbocharged Optima entering World Challenge will continue to build passion and enthusiasm for the brand with an entirely new fan base at different race tracks across the country. With its aerodynamic styling and outstanding driving dynamics, the Optima SX should be well suited to the ultra-competitive environment of World Challenge racing."¹ In addition to the new SXs, the new Kio Rio will also be competing in the B-Spec showroom stock series. Racing fans will also see an enhanced Kia Optima on the race track as the United States Touring Car Championship's official safety car starting in March 2012.

Here at Central Kia of Lewisville, we have complete faith in the brand that constantly surprises us to also be a winner in the racing circuit. Interested in being a part of this winning team? Check out our new 2012 Kia models and visit us at 2920 N. I35E, Carrollton TX.  We look forward to seeing you soon! 

Source: ¹http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/kia/50049/