[RandyM]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't see any Kias involved in racing in North America.

I see them in rallies, off-road racing, and the touring sedan series in Europe and Australia, but not in my home market.

Toyota and Honda certainly have visible competition programs from Indycar to Grand Prix racing -- Toyota is even heavily involved in Nascar.

Wouldn't Kia's brand image and visibility be elevated with such a showing? Wouldn't it show that the car maker has left the second string of car companies and joined the Big Boys with the guts and technical expertise to run with the established players?

Imagine if a Kia engineered engine was entered into the Indy 500, or if a faux Stinger ran on a Nascar track? Wouldn't the company gain respect it doesn't now have? A Kia racing a Ferrari would definitely change Kia's brand image.

 

[ForteGT2]

??? There have been Kias involved in racing in the U.S. and Canada since 2010.

Chicago 2011: Kia Optima Turbo SX Kinetic Race Car (autoblog.com)

Five Cool Facts About Kia Racing (motortrend.com)

Kia Racing | kssmotorsports (amyk42.wixsite.com)

Kinetic was making some REALLY nice performance parts for the Optima - we have the Kinetic exhaust on my wife's 2017 Optima...BUT...obviously the interest wasn't there, as the parts are no longer available.

 

[ForteGT2]

 

[RandyM]

Well, I stand corrected. Hope this raises the visibility and reputation of the brand.

 

[ForteGT2]

I remember watching the #10 and #12 Blue and green forte Koups racing on TV back in 2010:

Kia Forte Koup going racing in 2010 Grand-Am Koni Challenge series (autoblog.com)

 

[mobileterminaluser]

I never knew Kia ever raced.

 

[ForteGT2]

I never knew Kia ever raced.

The local Kia dealership had race banners displayed and I got a big banner of the #10 Koup and had it hanging on my garage wall until it deteriorated, and I had to throw it away. Kinetic partnered with Kia to sell performance parts through the dealerships but I don't think they sold well because no one seemed to know about it. My local dealer's parts department didn't sell a single item. The dealership in Tallahassee FL had a 2018 Optima SX turbo loaded with the Kinetic parts on the showroom floor...someone bought it that way.

 

[ZiggyM5]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't see any Kias involved in racing in North America.

I see them in rallies, off-road racing, and the touring sedan series in Europe and Australia, but not in my home market.

Toyota and Honda certainly have visible competition programs from Indycar to Grand Prix racing -- Toyota is even heavily involved in Nascar.

Wouldn't Kia's brand image and visibility be elevated with such a showing? Wouldn't it show that the car maker has left the second string of car companies and joined the Big Boys with the guts and technical expertise to run with the established players?

Imagine if a Kia engineered engine was entered into the Indy 500, or if a faux Stinger ran on a Nascar track? Wouldn't the company gain respect it doesn't now have? A Kia racing a Ferrari would definitely change Kia's brand image.

There is this Forte ...

Puerto Rico has this Forte GT on local racing clubs.

 

[ZiggyM5]

There is this Forte ...
View attachment 87899

Puerto Rico has this Forte GT on local racing clubs.




View attachment 87901

 

[ZiggyM5]

Well, I stand corrected. Hope this raises the visibility and reputation of the brand.

Agreed. I will love to see more Kias in racing events.

 

[noturbonoproblem]

There is this Forte ...
View attachment 87899

Puerto Rico has this Forte GT on local racing clubs.




View attachment 87901

Wow, that Red Bull car looks so cool

 

[ZiggyM5]

Wow, that Red Bull car looks so cool

Wild! Isn't it?

Check the whole process here: (1) NEW BUILD! | Kia Forte Drift Machine - PRT 1 - YouTube. Six available videos. Very entertaining. This girl is wild. 😊👍