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Parente, Sellers, Hedlund Confirmed in K-PAX McLarens

Bryan Sellers, Mike Hedlund join Alvaro Parente at K-PAX…

Photo: Bob Chapman/Autosport Image

Photo: Bob Chapman/Autosport Image

Alvaro Parente will defend his Pirelli World Challenge GT class championship with K-PAX Racing, which confirmed its three-car McLaren 650S GT3 lineup on Monday.

The McLaren GT factory driver will be joined by Bryan Sellers and Mike Hedlund in the new-look driving squad.

Parente captured six wins and five poles in his rookie PWC season, which helped take the Flying Lizard Motorsports-run operation to the Teams’ Championship, and McLaren GT to the Manufacturer’s title.

“I’m very happy to be back with K-PAX Racing for this season,” Parente said. “I get along very well with everyone on the team, and feel we all have the same goals and will push hard to win further races.

“Now that I have experience of the tracks and a strong working relationship with the team, it’s time to attack and fight hard from the start of the season.”

Both Sellers and Hedlund are newcomers to the team but not to the sports car racing world.

Sellers, the longtime Team Falken Tire driver, will undertake a dual-season program, also having been confirmed back with Paul Miller Racing’s Lamborghini Huracan GT3 program in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“It’s a huge honor to be selected to be a part of K-PAX Racing,” Sellers said. “They have shown over the years that they are extremely committed to performing at the highest level of motorsports.

“I am very excited to take on the challenges that lie ahead with a car and a series that are new to me.”

Hedlund, meanwhile, will step up to a full-season PWC effort after making selected starts in recent years.

“After competing against K-PAX Racing in 2014 and 2015 and watching what they were able to accomplish in the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge racing season,” said Hedlund. “I’m excited to join them for 2017 in the McLaren 650S GT3!

“Being based out of Northern California, I’ve known many of the team members for years and I’m looking forward to finally racing together for an entire season.

Parente and Sellers will compete in the GT class, with Hedlund in GTA. They both replace Austin Cindric and Colin Thompson, who will not be back with the team, at least in a full-season capacity.

Co-drivers for five SprintX races have yet to be announced.

“We are extremely happy to be returning to the Pirelli World Challenge to defend our titles from 2016,” said Program Manager Darren Law.

“We had an amazing season last year and 2017 looks like it will be bigger and more competitive.

“As for us, we feel we have a very potent driver line up. With several new cars, teams, and drivers coming to the series, I think this might be the most competitive season yet.”

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

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