It's not as high-profile and as powerful as the Mercedes SLS AMG F1 Safety Car, but the Kia Soul has been nonetheless tapped to be new Safety Car that will be used at the U.S. Touring Car Championship (USTCC) circuit this season. Sanctioned by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA), the SOUL Safety Car will be making its debut at the season opening race on March 21 at Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, Calif.

The Safety Car is based on a Sport model and adds enhanced aerodynamics, low friction synthetic Mobil 1 engine oil, a custom free flow Borla exhaust, a light weight Optima battery, Whelen Engineering strobe lights, light weight Konig wheels with low resistance tires as well as a short ram intake by Takeda to further enhance efficiency.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Kia SOUL Safety Car

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Kia SOUL Safety Car
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press release

 Kia Motors America (KMA) will debut a highly modified Soul urban passenger vehicle as the Official Safety Car of the U.S. Touring Car Championship (USTCC) circuit sanctioned by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) at the season opener race on March 21 at Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, Calif.  Based off of the Soul sport, which receives 30 MPG/hwy and modified by GOGOGEAR promotions for this role, this specially equipped vehicle features an upgraded suspension and tires for handling during the USTCC race series while the strobe lights inside the headlights, taillights and the light bar are some of the same components used on many police and emergency response cars.

"To further demonstrate its practical capabilities, Soul is helping the Kia Motors brand with its U.S. debut into the world of motorsports this year by increasing the vehicle's profile and recognition among automotive and racing enthusiasts," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of KMA.  "We have created awareness within the motorsports community during our inaugural motorsports season in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series and look forward to future motorsports initiatives."

First seen at SEMA 2009, the modified Soul sport features enhanced aerodynamics, low friction synthetic Mobil 1 engine oil, a custom free flow Borla exhaust, a light weight Optima battery, Whelen Engineering strobe lights, light weight Konig wheels with low resistance tires as well as a short ram intake by Takeda to further enhance efficiency. 

In addition to the March 21 race at Infineon Speedway, the GOGOGEAR Soul is scheduled to pace the following events:

  • April 24-25, Thunderhill Raceway; Willows, Calif.
  • May 22, Thunderhill Raceway; Willows, Calif.
  • June 26-27, Infineon Raceway; Sonoma Calif.
  • July 31-August 1, AutoClub Speedway; Fontana, Calif.
  • August 21, Thunderhill Raceway; Willows, Calif. 
  • October 9-10, Infineon Raceway; Sonoma Calif.