Everyone after Grand Am took boost away from Mazda and VW, then dropped the rev limit Mini could run.... Essentially handing the race to Kia on a silver platter.
I don't know what's worse, knowing the MINIs are struggling or watching Nic Jonsson take the checker... High point of the broadcast was watching the 198 glued to the pavement as Owen passed for the ST lead and drove away. Too bad it didn't stay that way but still fun to watch.
The Kia is not competitive. The sanctioning body kept hobbling the real competitive teams until the Kia caught up. I suspect that Kia being a series sponsor had $omething to do with it.