Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 11 -- Hyundai Motor America and Libra International Racing have once again joined forces to compete in the X Games 13 Rally Car Racing Super Special, for the second consecutive year on Aug. 2-5, 2007. The first five races of the 2007 Rally America season served as qualifying events for the popular action-sport competition, while the Rally Car Racing Super Special will take place at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 5 at 1:30 PDT.

2007 X Games 13 Rally Car Racing Schedule Date Event Location Aug. 2, 2007 Rally Car Racing The Home Depot Center, practice Carson, Calif. Aug. 3, 2007 Rally Car Racing The Home Depot Center, practice Carson, Calif. Aug. 5, 2007 Rally Car Racing Super The Home Depot Center, Special Carson, Calif.

From inside the cockpit of the Hyundai Tiburon rally car, eight-time U.S. champion driver Paul Choiniere and co-driver Jeffrey Becker will compete against top international rally talent including World Rally Champion veteran Colin McRae and motocross superstar turned Rally Racing driver Travis Pastrana.

Broadcast live on the ABC Network television, the final round Rally Car Super Special will take place at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), Sunday, Aug. 5, as an expected full house of fans will watch from the stands at The Home Depot Center. Fans will be able to watch world-class drivers compete against each other on a closed-course run over twists and jumps on a specially built dirt track in and around The Home Depot Center.

Rallying - Challenging World's Best Cars and Drivers for Centuries

Attracting millions of fans worldwide, and the inspiration for a multitude of video games, rally dates back more than 100 years. Organized in stages, rallies are based on straightforward speed over stretches of road closed to other traffic. From asphalt mountain passes to rough forest tracks, ice and snow or desert sand, rally roads challenge the crew and test the car's performance and reliability. Distinguished by running not in a circuit but on real roads, drivers and co-drivers race between set control points, the challenge being to get from start to finish in the shortest time possible.

Rally Tiburon

The award-winning Hyundai Tiburon, which will be showcased in this year's X Games, has been converted to four-wheel drive and is equipped with a 298-hp, Garrett turbo-charged Hyundai Beta engine, mated to a Gemini close-ratio gearbox with special differential and Tilton carbon clutch. Compomotive wheels and BF Goodrich special rally tires complete the package.

Paul Choiniere and Jeff Becker

Eight-time Sport Car Club of America (SCCA) National Rally Champion Paul Choiniere and co-driver Jeff Becker successfully completed five qualifying races over the last several months to make it into this year's X Games Rally Car Racing Super Special. With an endless list of winning titles dating back nearly 20 years, Choiniere and Becker have been sealing wins for Hyundai and Libra Racing since 1992, with Hyundai as their official sponsor since 1995. Choiniere and Becker will compete against nine other teams, including Subaru and Mitsubishi, as they try to clinch their 31st victory for Libra Racing and Hyundai -- and make history as X Games Rally Car Racing champions.

All members of the media planning to attend the 2007 X Games must apply online at http://www.espneventmedia.com/ for credentials.

About Libra International Racing

Owned and operated by 11-time SCCA PRO Rally champion John Buffum, Libra Racing has been building and maintaining race and rally cars since 1972. Libra rally cars have won more than 162 races and 18 of 32 SCCA PRO and Rally America National Championships.

About the Annual X Games

The X Games is the definitive annual action sports competition featuring more than 150 of the world's best athletes competing in: BMX Freestyle, Moto X, Skateboard, Surfing and Rally Car Racing. X Games Los Angeles-based venues include STAPLES Center and The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. All competitions at STAPLES Center and The Home Depot Center are ticketed events, which can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com and the box offices at STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center and Team LA at Universal CityWalk.

About Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America entered U.S. ProRally racing in 1995, lending factory support to Libra Racing. With team owner and racing legend John Buffum, driver Paul Choiniere and co-driver Jeff Becker, Hyundai quickly emerged as a dominant force in rally competition.

Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.hyundainews.com/.

For high-resolution images, please contact Miles Johnson at (714) 965-3366 or Jennifer Capasso at (310) 584-8338. Hyundai Motor America

CONTACT: Miles Johnson of Hyundai, +1-714-965-3366,
milesjohnson@hmausa.com; or Jennifer Capasso, +1-714-965-3135,
jennifer.capasso@ketchum.com

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