Sebring, Fla. – September 20, 2022 – Emotions peaked during the 2021 Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Championship at Sebring International Raceway, where K-PAX Racing officially reached the top after a continuous uphill battle – a totally restructured program that welcomed new cars, drivers and dynamics. The team, as well as those from Lamborghini Squadra Corse, scaled the fence to watch its Huracán GT3 EVO cross the finish line – securing titles across the board in the penultimate rounds of the series season.
K-PAX Racing returns to Sebring for the final rounds under the traditional race format, and it is in a similar position as 2021. The team, its drivers and Lamborghini hold the top spots in the rankings entering Rounds 11 & 12, and each have created a striking separation from its competitors. The team will have another chance to build on its memories at the iconic circuit, solidifying its status as defending champions of the series.
“I always love going to Sebring,” K-PAX Racing Program Manager Darren Law said. “I have had success there personally, and we have had many successes there as a team. The 2021 season was special for us, because we were able to wrap up the Championships before the final race of the season. This takes a lot of pressure off everyone going into the final round, and we hope to do that again this year.”
Both Andrea Caldarelli and Jordan Pepper sprung into the air from the roof of their Huracán GT3 EVO following a sweep of last year’s event – simultaneously locking up the Drivers’ Championship that weekend. Caldarelli will have a chance to repeat his acrobatics in victory lane, as he comfortably leads this year’s standings at 213. However, with a twist. Each of the team’s hand-picked drivers are represented at the top of the standing: Jordan Pepper (166), Michele Beretta (163) and Misha Goikhberg (146). While Caldarelli can mathematically win the crown, Pepper will continue to battle him separately for the honor.
The Team Championship can also be clinched by K-PAX Racing. Currently at 216, the team holds a 90-point buffer from the next in line. While 100 points are still up for grabs in this year’s championship, the team will have the chance to gain enough points – making it three consecutive team titles in the U.S. apart from the 2020 season. The team simultaneously continues to help Lamborghini in its hunt for a back-to-back Manufacturers’ Championship, as it currently leads by a 14-point margin (204).
“With so many of the championships at stake and an opportunity to fight for all of them again this season, it shows how strong our program is and we look forward to working towards each of them,” Law said. “Lamborghini has been a great partner for us, and it would be great to bring home another championship for the team and for them.”
Last season, K-PAX Racing was able to put one of its Huracán GT3 EVO on pole for the event opener with a time of 2:00.977 set by Caldarelli. K-PAX Racing has been awarded pole position in four of the last five events.
“Each of the cars in the series have strengths and weaknesses,” Law said. “The Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO has been such a great all-around car and allows us to fight for wins every weekend. Sebring is one of the tracks that really seems to suit the car. The configuration of the corners and brake zones plays to the Lamborghini’s strengths, so we look forward to a great weekend.”
Visit gt-world-challenge-america.com for more event information. All races are streamed live and archived for on-demand viewing at youtube.com/gtworld or twitch.tv/sromotorsports. SRO America championships also feature broadcasts on CBS Sports.
DRIVER QUOTES
Andrea Caldarelli – No. 1 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “Sebring is always special place to race. Last year we locked up the championship here, so it’s definitely a nice moment to remember. It was a very good weekend for us last year, as we were competitive, and we could go for the win. It does suit the Huracán GT3 EVO well, however we have seen throughout this year that our competitors are fast everywhere. So, I am expecting the same.”
Michele Beretta – No. 1 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “I raced here in 2017 during the 12-hour race. It’s a very challenging track – one small mistake can be expensive. I like all the sections of it. Unfortunately, I am not running for the championship victory because I joined Andrea [Caldarelli] after the first race. Hopefully we can secure the championship before the last round in Indy.”
Jordan Pepper – No. 3 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “Sebring holds a special place for me in my memory bank – clinching the championship in convincing fashion and a double-race victory with Andrea [Caldarelli]. It was the highlight of last year’s season. We’ve proved that our Lamborghini’s are incredibly fast at that track. It suits the car very well, especially with the big braking zones, medium-speed corners, and quick change in direction, which is all where this car is strong. Misha [Goikhberg] knows the track well and likes it, so I think we should be strong enough to get the elusive victory we’ve been missing.”
Misha Goikhberg – No. 3 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “We had a good test at Sebring last week, so we need to bring what we learned into the race weekend. The No. 3 car is treating the final rounds of the championship as opportunities to go for wins. Overall, I think it will be a closely contested battle, as the track plays up to different cars strengths and setup philosophies in different corners.”
About K-PAX Racing
Based in Sonoma, Calif., K-PAX Racing has celebrated a total 177 podiums, 71 wins, five Driver Championships, and four Team and Manufacturer Championships, solidifying the team as a continuous championship contender. In the GT Class, K-PAX Racing has fielded Porsche 911 GT3s during the 2007 – 2008 seasons, Volvo S60s during the 2009 – 2013 seasons, McLaren 12C GT3s in 2014 and McLaren 650S GT3s from 2015 – 2017. The team made a switch to Bentley for 2018, fielding the first-generation Continental GT3 in its first season and the second-generation model in 2019 and 2020. K-PAX Racing debuted the 2021 season in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO.
About Lamborghini Squadra Corse
Squadra Corse is the motorsport department of Automobili Lamborghini. Born in 2013 within the Research & Development department, Squadra Corse provides an integrated approach to driving experiences of the brand; from driving course programs with road vehicles to motorsport competitions, through the Lamborghini Super Trofeo or championships of the GT class.
Esperienza is the first step for those who are interested in the world of Lamborghini: Its aim is to share the thrill and emotions of the super sports cars from Sant’Agata Bolognese with fans and potential customers alike, by advanced driving course programs. Esperienza Dinamica is divided into five programs in order to face every type of surface: Corsa, Neve, Sabbia, Strada, Terra. Esperienza Accademia is the program dedicated to advanced drivers, offering driving course programs not only on the racetrack but also on ice in order to improve the driving skills of the pilots.
The Lamborghini Super Trofeo is an international motor racing series with drivers competing in identical Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVOs, the racing version of the production model, that features the same 5.2 l naturally aspirated V10 engine. Inaugurated in 2009, Super Trofeo hosts regional championships in Europe, Asia and North America and is divided in four categories: Pro, Pro-Am, Am and Lamborghini Cup bringing together passionate gentleman drivers and young professional pilots. At the end of each season, the teams and drivers of all regions compete against each other in the World Finals, the highlight of the season.
The most challenging tests are those which see Lamborghini’s Customer Racing Teams competing in the principal international GT championships driving the Huracán GT3. The GT3 differs from the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO through its more sophisticated aerodynamics, kinematic suspension control and other technical specifications respecting official FIA regulations. In 2017 the Huracán GT3 won the Blancpain GT Series; in 2018 and 2019 the Huracán GT3 completed a double victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in GTD Class. Lamborghini is the only company in the world to win both of the prestigious races, that are also known as 36 Hours of Florida, in two consecutive years. Another premiere in 2019: The GT3 won the Triple Crown of the Blancpain GT Series with the titles in the categories Overall, Endurance and Sprint. In 2020 Lamborghini celebrated third victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona with sensational one-two finish.
Both the Huracán Super Trofeo and the Huracán GT3 are constructed and built at the plant in Sant'Agata Bolognese on the same production line as the road vehicles. Specialized technicians of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse are present at every station along the line.
Moreover, Lamborghini Squadra Corse is trying to develop new talents in motor sports, for example through the Young Drivers Program (open for drivers under 26 that will compete in the Super Trofeo championship) and the GT3 Junior Program (for future GT drivers). Both the programs aim to offer young drivers the possibility to improve their driving skills helping them to take a career as professional pilots.
In 2018 Squadra Corse inaugurated its first One-Off, the SC18 Alston, followed by open-top SC20 in 2020. In the same year Squadra Corse unveiled Essenza SCV12 the track-only hypercar in a limited edition of 40 units, fitted with the most powerful V12 naturally aspirated engine ever developed by Lamborghini: over 830 hp.