They're back. And this time they've gone way back in their time-traveling Kia Soul. That's right, the hamsters are bringing down the house, only it's an 18th century opera house. And they're showing a traditional upper-crust crowd how to party their britches off with Axwell's remix of "In My Mind" by Ivan Gough, Feenixpawl ft. Georgi Kay. Watch. Share. Repeat.
Video courtesy of Kia's Youtube channel.
$224.72 per month for 36 Months $0.00* down payment. * PRICES EXCLUDE: destination and handling fee as well as applicable; governmental fees, taxes, dealer Processing Fee and dealer installed equipment.
Infinity Audio Optima pilots Mark Wilkins and Michael Galati Claim Fourth and Fifth in Wine Country to Close Out Kia Racing's First Year in World Challenge
Like sun-soaked grapes sprawled across the rolling hills surrounding the beautiful Raceway at Sonoma, Kia Racing's young Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) Optima program is quickly maturing and ripe for a championship run in 2013. Mark Wilkins, driver of the No. 38 Infinity Audio Optima, finished the PWC season finale on a high note, taking fourth at Sonoma, while teammate Michael Galati crossed the line fifth in the No. 38 turbocharged Optima. It was the seventh time in the twelve-race season – which was supposed to be a development year for the program – that both Optimas finished in the top ten. With the dual top-five finish, Kia claims fourth in the manufacturer's championship, Galati finishes similarly placed in the driver's championship, and the team turns its focus to 2013.
"We couldn't be happier with the season we've had in 2012. Six podiums in 12 races is a fantastic achievement for this program in its development year, and to have zero mechanical issues all season is a testament to the hard work and dedication by the entire team who built two solid racecars," said Russell Smith, co-owner, Kinetic Motorsports and the winning driver of the Kia Rio 5-door for Saturday's B-Spec race. "I want to thank Kia Motors America for providing us with a great platform in the Optima and our fans who cheer us on at every racetrack we visit. I really think with some more development over the winter that we can do great things in 2013 and beyond."
Wilkins started his No. 38 Optima in second place after a solid qualifying run on Friday and ran third for much of the 50-minute race. With a little over ten minutes to go, however, he began battling handling issues as a result of worn front tires. Finally, on the last lap, Mustang-driver Justin Bell managed to slip past and Wilkins' chances to finish the season with another podium went with him.
"What an incredible year for Kia Racing. We brought the No. 38 Infinity Audio Optima home in fourth today, but I really feel like we could have stood on the podium. We just lost the handling at the end a slipped a spot," said Wilkins. "I feel honored to be the driver of this car each weekend. It's so much fun to drive and is a threat to win at any track we visit throughout the schedule. I'm looking forward to climbing back behind the wheel come spring and making a run for a championship."
Galati in the No. 36 Infinity Audio Optima started and finished fifth Saturday, picking up his third-straight top-five finish to close out the 2012 season.
"Finishing the season with another top five is fantastic," said Galati. "The Kia Optima is such a great car. It loves purpose-built road courses with high speed corners, and we know what we need to do to make it even better for next year. We surprised some people by finishing fourth in the Manufacturer and Driver standings, but with a little more development over the off-season, I believe the Infinity Audio Optimas will be ready for more in 2013."
Kia Racing closes out its first Pirelli World Challenge season fourth in the Grand Touring Sport (GTS) points with Galati and Wilkins fourth and eighth in the Driver standings. Televised coverage of Round 12 of the Pirelli World Challenge from the Raceway and Sonoma is scheduled to air on the NBC Sports Network Sunday, September 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET. (Time and date subject to change. Check local listings).
Article and image courtesy of Kia News.
Your brakes are the single most important safety feature on your car. Don't put yourself or your family at risk this summer by riding around on worn down or faulty brakes. Here are some signs that your brakes need to be checked:
If you notice a brake problem, it pays to have it inspected or repaired as soon as possible. The cost of a brake repair can increase dramatically if even minor problems aren't fixed in a timely manner.
Your Monday Maintenance Tip courtesy of HowStuffWorks.
The world’s most famous movie franchise – 007, James Bond – will feature the Kia Optima and Sportage on the side of the good-guys when the next installment, Skyfall, opens this autumn.
During filming in London sharp-eyed Kia owners spotted both models on-set dressed as British Police cars. In one shot, Daniel Craig as Bond was seen running down Whitehall followed by several Kias in full police livery and with flashing lights ablaze and sirens sounding as he chases the villain of this latest Bond movie – Hollywood A-lister, Javier Bardem.
Although the plot is still very much secret it is understood that Bardem’s character tries to assassinate Bond’s boss, M, played by British actress Judi Dench.
During the sequence, the Kia Optima and Sportage police cars play central action roles as the chaos unfolds and Bond and the police try to block off the central London thorough fare to trap the evil-doers!
Kia Motors UK provided the cars via a “prop” company and Communications Director Stephen Kitson said: “We are very proud to have been asked to support the production crew with vehicles and to have Optima and Sportage at the heart of this part of the film.
Some of our sharp-eyed customers who were in London at the time of filming saw the cars and sent pictures to our Kia-Buzz staff.
The film is due to get its premiere in London in October and then to be screened around the world in the run-up to the winter holiday period.
Article, video and image courtesy of Kia Buzz.
Dirt flying, rubber burning, and your engine roaring as you drift through hair-pin turns -“Drive Hard, Drive Fast, and Don’t Stop!” Welcome to the world of rallying, a pedal to the metal, heart-pumping race over stretches of public streets and rough rural roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars. If you have ever experienced the thrill of handling your car down a twisty backcountry road, then you’ve got a sense of what we’re talking about. Rally cars blast through some of the toughest terrain and climates, and wherever a course is located, one thing is for certain – it takes guts, talent and heart to handle the adrenaline-charged action of this spectacular and unpredictable style of auto racing.
Alvaro Brandes is a Kia sponsored Peruvian rally driver who possesses the aforementioned qualities, and he has been pushing both the Kia Cerato (Forte) and Rio through championship victories on some of the toughest rally terrain on earth. And guess what? He’s very good at what he does. Alvaro has been carving a name for himself and Kia in the Peruvian Federation of Motor Sports (FEPAD), and Kia-Buzz caught up with him to discuss his recent championship and experience with Kia vehicles.
But before we jump-in, here’s a little rally racing basics for those of you not familiar with the sport.
Rally Racing Basics:
So, what has this got to do with your Kia Cerato (Forte) and Rio?
Rally cars are built to withstand real-world driving conditions. Racing takes place on public roads that come in all sorts of conditions ranging from extremely good to insanely bad. Whereas most race cars are extremely-modified, and housed in fragile exterior shells, a rally car is essentially the opposite. Although modifications are made, these cars must be able to drive on public roads during events, so they must be kept street legal. You can think of rally racing as the ultimate proving ground for your street car.
nterview with Alvaro Brandes
How long have you been racing in the FEPAD Rally?
I have been participating in the Peruvian Rally Championship since 2002. During this time, we have been able to achieve five victories, and we came in second place twice. In 2008, I signed an agreement with Kia and since then we have won the 4×2 National Championships for 2008 and 2009.
We have also placed second for 2010 and 2011. This year we decided to participate with the new Rio 5. Out of 88 rally races; we have won 29; placed second 32 times, third 11 times, fourth twice; and fifth four times.
I achieved 8 first places, 13 second places and 2 third places with the Kia Cerato (Forte) and Rio. The numbers indicate 33% of first places and that I was able to reach the podium in 81.8% of the races.
Why did you decide to become a race car driver?
It is not what I do for a living, but I dedicate a lot of my time and commitment. During the day I am an Operations Manager at Prodis SAC, a family-owned pharmaceutical storage company. Nonetheless, this has been my hobby since childhood andon the weekends I train with an ATV.
What are some of the most important qualities to be a good rally driver?
The most important qualities are to win rallies is to be fast, and remain calm enough during the complicated moments. To know when to accelerate and when not to, but above all to have passion for what you do.
Do you have any race day routines/rituals you have to follow?
The routine starts on Wednesday nights. We travel to the rally area. On Thursday and Friday we prepare the route sheet. Saturdays and Sundays are the two racing days, which take place in front of thousands of people in the city where the rally is held. As a ritual, I always put on my right glove first!
What was the biggest challenge of the FEPAD rally?
Having a car that is consistently fast and reliable in all the different places and tracks where the rallies take place. Four of the seven Peru rallies take place in altitudes as high as 2800 and 4200 meters above sea level. Also the varying weather conditions in our country force us to drive in rain, mud and heat.
Which is your favorite track to race on?
I have two. I really enjoy the rallies in the cities of Cuzco and Huancayo since they have the best tracks.
What is the most challenging part about racing? What is the most fun part?
The most challenging part is to be able to come up with the budget to participate in the National Championship. The most fun part is when the rally starts and you are able to accelerate!
What kind of modifications did you make to your car for this race? How do you think that affected your performance?
We dismantled and put together the vehicle in our small preparation shop called Pro rally, I have 4 mechanics that assist me. We were able to put together the Kia Rio in 5 weeks. The Rio has the mandatory modifications regarding security such as the seats, cage, fire extinguishers, among others and the performance spare parts such as the rally suspensions, the front self-blocking, the low gear ratio and the replacement of some spare parts for lighter ones in order to make the car lose some weight to be able to comply with the policy. The rest of the components are basically originals. The engine for example only has one ECU set and it is 100% mechanic and standard.
You’ve had quite a history of racing with Kia vehicles. How would you compare the Rio vs. the Cerato/Forte?
I have had the chance to drive with the Kia Cerato hatchback and we won the Nationals twice in the N3 category, then I participated with the Cerato sedan achieving 2 second places in the Nationals, and this year I drove the Rio 5 which has already won during its debut!! The Cerato is pretty stable and fast in the speed tracks as well as long courses with curves. Regarding the Rio, it reacts faster to the steering wheel, due to its size, and it’s easier to maneuver in the narrow tracks. Also, it’s lighter, which makes it highly competitive. Peruvian fans are delighted with its looks and nowadays it’s one of most attractive vehicles.
What are some of the strengths of Kia cars?
Kia manufactures very strong cars. For example, we are able to participate in a 7 full leg championship (14 days of competition) with the same suspension, spare parts and steering whereas before we had to change spare parts every 2 or 3 tracks with other makers. We drive on tracks that are in bad shape with holes and trenches, and sometimes the car even gets hit, but it never breaks anything that would take us out of the rally. Part of Kia´s success is that it makes a very reliable car especially even when it’s pushed to 100% of its potential, which is what we do, and we’ve achieved great results!
Article and image courtesy of Kia Buzz.
Always remember to regularly inspect your vehicle's belts for cracks and damage. Take note if the belt looks excessively slick or smooth. Remove the belt to make sure the material hasn't started separating into different layers. Experts say the risk of belt failure rises dramatically after 36,000 miles.
Your Monday Maintenance Tip courtesy of HowStuffWorks.
