K-PAX Purchases Third Bentley; Targeting Customer Program

Photo: Gavin Baker/SRO America

K-PAX Racing could expand into a three-car Blancpain GT World Challenge America operation later this year, having purchased an additional Bentley Continental GT3.

The California-based squad, which gave the new-generation Bentley its first-ever victory in last weekend’s opening round of the season at Circuit of The Americas, has laid ambitions of adding a customer car to its existing two-car factory-supported operation.

According to program manager Darren Law, the purchase of a third chassis can hold a dual purpose.

“It’s a brand-new chassis. K-PAX has purchased it,” Law told Sportscar365.

“The goal is two-fold. Either it’s a backup [car] if we need it or we’d like to put together a customer program with it. If there’s an opportunity, we’ll have a third car.

“We’re talking to people. I don’t have anything locked down but if people are interested… The cars are obviously fast and really good.”

The team enjoyed a dominant start to its Blancpain GT America campaign, with Maxime Soulet and Rodrigo Baptista leading home the team’s first-ever 1-2 finish with the British manufacturer in Saturday’s Race 1.

Law said the cars, which it received following last year’s California 8 Hours from the factory M-Sport team, have already exceeded their expectations.

“We’re really happy,” Law said. “We’ve done testing over the winter once we got the cars.

“The cars are a big change from last year. Last year’s car was good but the drivers have nothing but good stuff to say. They say it’s a huge improvement. They feel very comfortable. The engineers love it.

“In all honestly, the 9 car, I don’t know if they made more than a couple shock changes over the [weekend]. The car is really solid. We’re very pleased.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John