Will debut new Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO

K-PAX Racing will experience its 2021 Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS homecoming March 5-7 on familiar grounds, debuting new cars that are backed by a driver core fairly new to the team’s relentless culture to contend at the top of the series. The three-time series champions will make new Pirelli PZero tracks at Sonoma Raceway in its two-car Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO, bringing the same excellence back to the series since its brief hiatus for the SRO sister series in Europe.

“It’s great to finally be heading to the first race of the season,” K-PAX Racing Program Manager Darren Law said. “This year we have made several changes – we have changed manufacturers to Lamborghini, three out of four drivers are new, but all of our crew members are back and we are all committed to doing what we do best, winning races and fighting for a Championship. It has been a busy off-season, and we are ready and looking forward to add to the winning tradition and history of K-PAX Racing.”

The team will roll-out its Lamborghini Squadra Corse supported operation from just up the hill at Sonoma Raceway, where several awards and championship line the shop walls. Of those trophies, K-PAX Racing has been awarded 14 at Sonoma, which includes four presented from the top-step. The team’s first podium at its home-track was in 2011, with its last multi-race event in 2019 resulting in three podium finishes.

To expedite the learning curve with the Huracán GT3 EVO and promote camaraderie amongst its newly assembled driver pairings, K-PAX Racing had spent the later-half of February testing at multiple California tracks – a two-day shakedown test at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, Calif., and a two-day session at Sonoma the week before the season-opener. The two tests had given light to the K-PAX Racing vision for 2021 – the pursuit of its fourth series title – as the No. 3 of Andrea Caldarelli and Jordan Pepper, and the No. 6 of Giovanni Venturini and Corey Lewis were able to work alongside the team for the first-time.

“Lamborghini has been great to work with and very supportive in helping us get up to speed,” Law said. “We had several good tests prior to the start of the season, which have been very productive. The engineers have been able to gather data on work on the development of different setups, the crew has spent a lot of time getting familiar with the cars and having three factory Lamborghini drivers has allowed us to hit the ground running. They understand the feel of the cars and can give us a good reference point in comparison to other programs they have been involved with. Everyone has worked well together, and we are looking forward to this coming weekend.”

The series will return to all-Pro competition in 2021, featuring two rounds of 90-minute action with a mandatory driver change. Due to local health and safety regulations, public attendance is prohibited but fans still have the opportunity to catch all the high-speed action on GT World YouTube channel, in addition to audio simulcasts on Sirius XM Radio Channel 382 (992 on the web/app). CBS Sports Network’s coverage of the race weekend will premiere Sunday, March 7th at 4:00 pm ET.

DRIVER QUOTES

Andrea Caldarelli – No. 3 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “It was very constructive test. It was my first time working with the team, so it took bit of time to know all the methods of work but at the end, I can say we did a very productive two-day test, and we have done a lot of set up work for next week. I think the track suits very well with our car. It has both high and low speed corners, however I think in those up-hill change of directions, our car is very agile and so it is very nice to drive with a nice flow. I am really looking forward to start this season with K-PAX Racing. It is a new challenge with new team and new tracks for me, and I am always excited for new challenges.”

Jordan Pepper – No. 3 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “It was a great few days pre-season testing with the team. It did not come without hiccups because this is a new car for the team, but it seems like we hit the ground running nevertheless. I was really impressed by the Lamborghini after driving it for the first time. It was great to have Thunderhill as a bit of a shakedown, and then at Sonoma, we could really dig into development. It was great to have Andrea [Caldarelli] there for Sonoma, as we work really well together and both teams stuck with the program. We managed to cover a lot of ground – between data gathering and for me, learning the car. It’s always good when you have such strong professionals around you for that process. I’m really starting to enjoy the car, and I think we have a strong package for Sonoma. We have a plan, and we’ll grow as a team. If we can execute all the details well, we should have a great result.”

Giovanni Venturini – No. 6 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “The testing went really well – honestly more then I expected. The team gave a mega effort in understanding the car and for me, it was really important learn and study a new circuit. The car went really fast and regular without any issues, and I’m sure if we started like this, we can only improve. Our car is at home in Sonoma, so I’m confident for the races this week.”

Corey Lewis – No. 6 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO – “The initial testing went very well. Our test at Thunderhill was a great opportunity for the team and drivers to get familiar with the new Lamborghini GT3 EVO and allowed us drivers to shake off some of that off season rust.  Also, it felt like the first day of school as it was meet and greet of the new team and crew for myself.

Sonoma testing was the first time the four of us drivers had the opportunity to work together. The first day of testing was Giovanni [Venutrini]’s first day with our car and working with everyone while I was testing at Sebring in preparation for the Sebring 12 hours. When I had arrived on the second day, I was impressed by how much Steve [Conover] and Giovanni got through in terms of the setup list.  The car was on rails and I feel like we will have a very competitive car come race weekend. A massive thank you to the team for their hard work.

Our Lamborghini GT3 EVO around Sonoma Raceway is very strong. The cars aerodynamics package is great as the car slices through the high speed corners w ease and still have great mechanical grip on the slow speed corners. Sonoma really showcases the car well.

With the first race right around the corner with K-PAX Racing, I couldn’t be more excited and optimistic.  I feel like we are very well prepared and ready to get to work! I know the team and drivers are eager to get this season underway.”

About K-PAX Racing
Based in Sonoma, Calif., K-PAX Racing has celebrated a total 148 podiums, 59 wins, four Driver Championships and three 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 will debut 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.