ATLANTA, GA., March 1, 2001 – Hyundai rally driver Noel Lawler, the 1999 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Rally Champion, will make appearances at the Atlanta International Auto Show on March 9-10. The 2001 Hyundai Tiburon he will pilot the following week (March 15-17) at the Cherokee Trails Rally in Chattanooga, TN, will also be displayed at the show.

Lawler will be signing autographs at the Hyundai display at the show between the hours of 6-8 p.m. on both Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10.

A native of Ireland, Lawler currently resides in Austell, GA, and is employed by a local construction company.

“I have been driving a Hyundai Tiburon in the SCCA Pro Rally Series for the past few years,” explained Lawler. “We had an excellent season in 1999 and I won my first U.S. championship. Our Irish luck wasn’t with us last season, but we believe it’s back and we are looking for a second championship in 2001.”

Ironically, the Cherokee Trails Rally falls on St. Patrick’s Day weekend and Lawler is hoping the “luck of the Irish” is with him and long-time co-driver, and fellow Irishman Charlie Bradley. Lawler will pilot a Libra Racing prepared Hyundai Tiburon at the Cherokee Trails Rally -- the second of 10 events on the 2001 schedule. Lawler’s teammate, eight-time champion Paul Choiniere won the season-opener in late January.

Because of a recurring inner-ear infection, Choiniere, the reigning champion, will not compete in Chattanooga. Instead, team manager John Buffum, who is also the winningest driver in U.S. rally history, will take the wheel of the #1 Tiburon.

“Thanks to Libra Racing and their talented group of drivers, Hyundai has enjoyed a long string of success in SCCA ProRally competition,” said Dave Weber, vice president of marketing at Hyundai Motor America.. “Clearly, this grueling, extreme sport allows us to demonstrate the durability and dependability of our products.”

Hyundai Motorsports’ partnership with Libra Racing began in 1995 with immediate success. With drivers Choiniere and Lawler, the team has won five consecutive Manufacturers Championships, as well as four Driver and Co-Driver titles.

Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, California, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company in Korea. Hyundai cars are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America are sold and serviced through nearly 500 dealerships nationwide.

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