IRVINE, Calif., August 2, 2013 – Kia Racing's impressive sophomore season in the Pirelli World Challenge continues as the series heads back to American soil at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Rounds 11 and 12 following another Kia top five in Toronto. Kia Racing's Mark Wilkins, pilot of the No. 38 B.R.A.K.E.S. Optima turbo, arrives in Lexington, Ohio, riding an eight-race streak of top-five finishes, including a victory in Detroit and three other visits to the podium. As Wilkins continues to accumulate points, Kia Racing remains within striking distance of the top spot in the GTS Driver and Manufacturer championships. Currently second in both standings, Wilkins and Kia are intent on closing the gap on Mid-Ohio's fast, open circuit, which is well-suited to the Optima turbo's power and aerodynamic shape.

"It was great to score a fourth-place finish at my home track in Toronto and now we're looking ahead to Mid-Ohio. This is a track I know very well, and it should play to the strengths of our Optima turbo," said Wilkins. "We just need to stay focused on the goal of winning the championship, and to do that we need to finish races. The Kinetic Motorsports guys have done a fantastic job all year of giving me a rock-solid racecar to drive, and it's my job to go out there and put up results."