---

Sportage Wins Fourth Straight SCORE Championship

16 November 2000

Sportage Wins Fourth Straight SCORE Championship; Darren Skilton Races His Kia to Victory in Baja 2000

    CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico, Nov. 16 By driving a Kia Sportage
to a Class 3 victory today in the once-in-a-lifetime Baja 2000 desert race,
Darren Skilton not only holds a distinction for the ages but also will hold a
SCORE Desert Series class championship trophy for the fourth year in a row.
    Skilton completed the grueling 1,726-mile course in 49 hours 16 minutes
and 39 seconds, besting a field that included his father, Clive, who placed
second, nearly two hours behind.  The Sportage triumphed over other
Class 3 competitors such as Ford Bronco II, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi
Montero and Chevy Blazer.  This class championship marks the fourth title in
as many tries for Skilton and the Kia Sportage.
    "We came here focused on winning a championship and we did," Skilton said.
"But I won't kid you and say that winning the race wasn't important; it was
very important!  All the team members can now say they were part of a Baja
2000 victory -- the only Baja 2000 that will ever be run."
    Skilton, 33, from Long Beach, Calif., began his racing career navigating
for off-road champion Don Adams in the Baja 1000.
    "Racing is what I do and winning is an incredible feeling," Skilton said.
"I've loved desert racing since my days navigating for Don.  This win will
stay with me forever."

    Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia
Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea.