Kia Adds Clucas to PWC GTS Lineup

Englishman Ben Clucas will replace Nic Jonsson alongside Mark Wilkins with Kia Motors America and its race team, Kinetic Motorsports, for the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge GTS season.

Jonsson remains with the team but will focus on vehicle testing and development instead of on-track PWC competition this season. He’ll also be racing with Krohn Racing for its European Le Mans Series program.

Most recently, Clucas competed in the 2014 Aston Martin Challenge, driving an Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 to one race win and two fastest race laps. He also competed in the Endurance GT VdeV Championship in a Mosler MT 900, recording one win there.

Additionally, Clucas’ 14-year driving career includes experience in Spanish GT, Grand-Am Rolex Series, and Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge in which he drove a BMW M3 for Kinetic Motorsports in 2011. Clucas’ career has spanned four continents with highlights including the 1999 British Kart Championship, 2002 Formula Ford Championship, 2006 Formula 3 Championship, and the 2009 Spanish GT Championship.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity to work with Kinetic Motorsports again and have a chance to drive this awesome Kia Optima,” he said. “I am anxious to get behind the wheel and compete in the Pirelli World Challenge, which will be a new series for me.

“The series’ growth has been astounding; I’m excited to be a part of it. And it’s an honor to represent Kia and their very worthy charity partner DonorsChoose.org.”

Toronto, Ontario, native Wilkins rejoins Kia Racing for his third season behind the wheel of the No. 38 B.R.A.K.E.S. Optima turbo. He assisted in Kia winning the 2014 GTS Manufacturer’s Championship but came up short in the driver’s championship.