GRAND AM (MID-OHIO) - KINETIC MOTORSPORTS TAKES TO THE TRACK AT EMCO GEARS CLASSIC

Kinetic Motorsport’s Grand Am effort arrived at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this week for the 7th installment of the 2007 KONI Challenge season. After qualifying in the third position at Mosport International Raceway last week, Kinetic has brought its entire arsenal out this week entering three BMW M3s in the event.

For this race, Kinetic has paired professional driver and Kinetic co-owner Nic Jonsson with Bryan Ortiz out of Puerto Rico behind the wheel of the No. 79 BMW. Jonsson, who is fresh from the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans, finished second on the podium in the grueling event last week in the La Sarthe region of France. His co-driver, Ortiz, has consistently posted fast times throughout the season during race conditions and has secured top qualifying positions for the Kinetic team.

“I really believe that Bryan and I have a good shot at finishing within the top-three this weekend,” said Jonsson. “Bryan has proved to be an incredible driver and really knows the BMWs. He has been able to lock in several solid starting positions for us this season and drives with extreme precision. After doing so well at Le Mans, I am looking forward to keeping the momentum going and have Kinetic come away from Mid-Ohio with excellent results.”

This will be the first time that Jonsson has driven with Ortiz behind the wheel of a Kinetic BMW. Ortiz is looking forward to driving with Jonsson and hopes to secure the top podium position this weekend.

“Having Nic as my teammate will be a good opportunity to have our first win here if everything goes well,” said Ortiz. “I think this track is very good for the BMW as it has faired well here before. We have a strong car and should be able to do well.”

In the No. 78 BMW, Kinetic has put professional Brian Sellers with Savvion President and CEO Shawn Price. Price, who was responsible for the third place starting position for Kinetic in Mosport is competing in his first Grand Am season this year with Kinetic and is quickly becoming an emerging professional driver himself. At the age of 24 Sellers background includes Grand Am, American Le Mans Series and Toyota Atlantic.

“It’s a privilege to be invited here with Kinetic,” commented Sellers. “In the past this has been a great track for BMW and hopefully Kinetic can continue that tradition. Last time I was here was in a BMW in the ALMS and came away with positive results. I think we have a good chance at a podium this weekend especially if we are able to stay out of trouble and avoid on-track incidents

Rounding out the Kinetic field in the No. 80 BMW will be Charles Espenlaub and co-driver Charlie Putman. The two drove together for the first time with Kinetic at Lime Rock Park this season. Espenlaub brings his years of professional experience in series such as KONI Challenge and SPEED World Challenge while co-driver Putman also has seat time in the KONI Challenge as well as national and regional SCCA events and Spec Miata.