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Stakes are Raised for Kia in the Paris-Dakar-Cairo 2000; Double Jeopardy Threatens U.S. Team

17 January 2000

Stakes are Raised for Kia in the Paris-Dakar-Cairo 2000; Double Jeopardy Threatens U.S. Team

    IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 17 -- With political unrest threatening
not just the completion of the world's toughest rally but also the lives of
the competitors, the stakes have been raised for the Kia Sportage race team
entered in the Paris-Dakar-Cairo 2000.
    The uncertainties of the harsh desert environment of Northern Africa are
usually the competitors' greatest foe, but this week the rally has been
threatened by terrorist attacks, and the threat is so serious that race
organizers have decided to re-route the event.
    The organizers received the information from the French Foreign Ministry
and the U.S. State Department suggesting terrorist attacks in Niger were
likely.  The news prompted the unprecedented step of airlifting the entire
rally from Niamey, Niger, to Sabah, Libya.  The operation began Jan. 12 and
should be completed Sunday. The race is set to continue on Monday, Jan. 17.
    While the terrorist threat continues to worry the competitors, it was the
difficult environment that has taken its toll on the field.  Indicative of how
unforgiving the rally conditions are, only 113 of 138 cars remain after six
stages.
    As to the only American team entered in the race, driver Curt LeDuc has
battled his way into 36th place while the other Sportage, driven by Darren
Skilton, is in 57th place.
    Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia
Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea.  Kia sells its Sephia compact sedan,
Sportage sport-utility vehicle and Sportage 2-Door Convertible at more than
570 dealerships in 49 states.