After a rigorous journey that saw K-PAX Racing closely contend with GT racing’s elites in Belgium, the American-based team returns to regular season action for Rounds 9 & 10 of the Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Championship. Road America will play host to these late rounds August 19-21, as the team inches closer to defending its crown.
“It is good to be back racing in the U.S.,” K-PAX Racing Program Manager Darren Law said. “We had a great car for the 24 Hours of Spa and a strong performance, but now it is time to refocus on GT World Challenge America and the pursuit of the championship. Road America is a great track with a great surrounding area. We are looking forward to a strong run here with both cars.”
While the most recent rounds proved to be the team’s toughest challenge yet, it still has a firm grasp on the championship titles up for grabs. Two-year team driver Andrea Caldarelli currently leads the Drivers’ Championship (180), with Jordan Pepper (133) and Michele Beretta (130) tailing the benchmark in second and third. K-PAX Racing has a comfortable lead in the Team Championship rankings (180). K-PAX Racing is also helping manufacturer Lamborghini Squadra Corse in its quest for back-to-back championship titles, currently leading the hunt (168). The team is also questing for consecutive titles — its first Drivers’ defense since the 2007-2008 seasons (Randy Pobst), and a consecutive Team title which was last accomplished in 2018-2019.
“Although we had an amazing start to the season with multiple wins, we hope to continue that – but our main focus is finishing the season strong and getting this championship,” Law said.
The fast-action Road America Course nestled in the heart of Elkhart Lake is a beloved track on the GT World Challenge schedule, as this traditional series stop is always a spectacle that not only gathers race enthusiasts, but also attracts new fans to the sport. The series event is usually highlighted by a parade through downtown Elkhart Lake, as fans rejoice while the series’ lineup retraces monumental sectors through the town streets of its historic 1950’s circuit. One swooping turn through the “Hard Left” on Lake Street, and K-PAX Racing is met by cheers and applause by the hundreds of fans awaiting their arrival.
“Road America is always well-attended by the fans, and the Thursday night parade in the town of Elkhart Lake is something we all enjoy,” Law said.
K-PAX Racing has enjoyed ongoing success at Road America, especially last season in its Huracán GT3 EVO. The team placed both of its entries on the podium in both rounds, which included a victory in the opener. The team made its first appearance at Road America in 2008, welcoming the circuit to the series schedule with a podium performance. Its first victory came in the 2018 season, which started a three-year streak (excluding 2020) of earning at least two podiums each appearance. K-PAX Racing has earned at least one podium in the last four series stops in its 2022 campaign, which includes a sweep of the first three.
DRIVER QUOTES
Andrea Caldarelli – No. 1 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “[Road America] is definitely one of the coolest places we go to this year, and I love the environment near the lake and the vibe around the small town – especially during the parade you can feel the atmosphere of people who love racing. It was very challenging last year for us, probably the track where we struggled the most. So hopefully we have learned from last year, and we are going to bring some good updates for high-speed corners compared last year. We were quite strong in the middle sector, so that is what I believe will work best. Low-speed corners mostly (as a strength). We struggled quite bit compared other tracks, but we worked hard for that so I think this year will also be the case.”
Michele Beretta – No. 1 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “I am looking forward to coming back to Road America – another great racetrack. I have no fresh memories of the track, so it is going to be very important for me to get used to it quickly during free practice and try to get a good car balance straight from the beginning. I have never been to the GT parade, but I look forward to see the fans and the atmosphere out there and of course to get back on the top of the podium.”
Jordan Pepper – No. 3 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “Road America is one of the toughest ones for the team based on last season’s performances, but I think we’ve learned and grown a lot since then. Hopefully we right some wrongs from last season in terms of pure performance. I know last year, we got some good results, but it was just down to luck and strategy. Let’s hope this year we’re a lot stronger on pace. Coming off a tricky Watkins Glen [International], where I think our No. 3 deserved to fight for the win in both races, it ultimately came down to technical issues. We need to bounce back strong if we have any chance in the championship now. It’s quite a big gap between me and Andrea [Caldarelli], and if I don’t floor into it at Road America, it’s pretty much done. That’s the goal. Misha [Goikhberg] having experience at Road America will help a lot. We just have to see what happens and give it our best shot.”
Misha Goikhberg – No. 3 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “[Road America] is one of the best tracks in North America – a lot of people’s favourite, including myself. It’s got everything from high-speed corners, big braking zones to lots of passing opportunities. I am sure our Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO will be strong here. We just have to get it in the window. We will regroup and bounce back after some misfortunes at Watkins Glen [International].”
Source. K-Pax Racing
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