K-PAX Adds Soucek, Soulet for SprintX Rounds

K-PAX Racing has signed Bentley factory drivers Andy Soucek and Maxime Soulet for the Pirelli World Challenge GT SprintX rounds.

Soucek will join 2016 PWC GT champion Alvaro Parente in the No. 9 Bentley Continental GT3, while Soulet will accompany Rodrigo Baptista in the No. 3 entry.

“Having both Maxime and Andy join us for the SprintX races this season shows just how committed Bentley Motorsports is to our program this year,” program manager Darren Law said.

“It is always beneficial to have factory drivers join the team. Both of them have a lot of seat-time in these cars. They know the feel of the cars and what has worked or not worked for them regarding setups.

“So, being able to interact with our engineers and drivers will give us additional insight. Pairing them with Alvaro and Rodrigo is going to make both cars solid contenders for wins.”

Both Soucek and Soulet joined Bentley in 2015 following the first season of the Continental GT3.

Through three years the two have competed in the Blancpain GT Series, which has a similar format to PWC SprintX competition, two 60-minute races that feature a mandatory pit stop and driver change.

Soucek, will make his American sports car racing debut.

“I’m very excited to drive for K-PAX Racing, a very successful team that I’ve been following for years in America,” he said.

“I’m even more excited to be driving alongside a longterm friend and teammate like Alvaro Parente, who is a driver I respect a lot and someone I appreciate very much. He is extremely talented and will be a good benchmark.

“K-PAX Racing and Bentley have been very successful as a team and manufacturer in the past, so joining forces now can only bring positive results.”

Soulet, meanwhile, will return to the U.S. for his first full season since 2012.

“K-PAX Racing has a great reputation, one that spans the Atlantic over into Europe, so I’m honored to be racing with them in the USA,” Soulet said.

“[Rodrigo] has proven to be one of the Pirelli World Challenge young stars, and I’m excited to work with him at such a crucial stage in his career.

“I’m prepared to give him all of my knowledge of the Continental GT3, and I’m looking forward to having him nipping at my heels – having a hungry and energetic 21-year-old in the team can certainly keep you on your toes.”

Law said the team is still seeking options to run a third Bentley this season, having recently taken delivery of all three cars.

“We have yet to fill that seat, but our goal is to have a customer program with this car for either the whole season or we can separate-out the Sprint and SprintX events,” he said.