Hyundai Rally Champion to Appear at Atlanta Auto Show

    ATLANTA, March 1 Hyundai rally driver Noel Lawler, the
1999 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Rally Champion, will make
appearances at the Atlanta International Auto Show on March 9-10.  The 2001
Hyundai Tiburon he will pilot the following week (March 15-17) at the Cherokee
Trails Rally in Chattanooga, TN, will also be displayed at the show.
    Lawler will be signing autographs at the Hyundai display at the show
between the hours of 6-8 p.m. on both Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10.
    A native of Ireland, Lawler currently resides in Austell, GA, and is
employed by a local construction company.
    "I have been driving a Hyundai Tiburon in the SCCA Pro Rally Series for
the past few years," explained Lawler.  "We had an excellent season in
1999 and I won my first U.S. championship.  Our Irish luck wasn't with us last
season, but we believe it's back and we are looking for a second championship
in 2001."
    Ironically, the Cherokee Trails Rally falls on St. Patrick's Day weekend
and Lawler is hoping the "luck of the Irish" is with him and long-time
co-driver, and fellow Irishman Charlie Bradley.  Lawler will pilot a Libra
Racing prepared Hyundai Tiburon at the Cherokee Trails Rally -- the second of
10 events on the 2001 schedule.  Lawler's teammate, eight-time champion Paul
Choiniere won the season-opener in late January.
    Because of a recurring inner-ear infection, Choiniere, the reigning
champion, will not compete in Chattanooga.  Instead, team manager John Buffum,
who is also the winningest driver in U.S. rally history, will take the wheel
of the #1 Tiburon.
    "Thanks to Libra Racing and their talented group of drivers, Hyundai has
enjoyed a long string of success in SCCA Pro Rally competition," said Dave
Weber, vice president of marketing at Hyundai Motor America.  "Clearly, this
grueling, extreme sport allows us to demonstrate the durability and
dependability of our products."
    Hyundai Motorsports' partnership with Libra Racing began in 1995 with
immediate success.  With drivers Choiniere and Lawler, the team has won five
consecutive Manufacturers Championships, as well as four Driver and Co-Driver
titles.
    Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, California, is a
subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company in Korea.  Hyundai cars are distributed in
the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through
nearly 500 dealerships nationwide.