K-PAX Racing signs Soucek, Soulet for PWC GT SprintX rounds

K-PAX Racing has signed Bentley Motorsport factory drivers Andy Soucek and Maxime Soulet for the 2018 Pirelli World Challenge SprintX GT series.

Soucek will join 2016 PWC Series Champion Alvaro Parente in the #9 Bentley Continental GT3, while Soulet will accompany Rodrigo Baptista in the identical #3 car.

“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,” said K-PAX manager Darren Law. “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.”

Soucek and Soulet joined Bentley in 2015 and for the last two seasons have finished top three in the Blancpain GT Endurance Cup.

Said Soucek, 32: “I’m very excited to drive for K-PAX Racing – a very successful team that I’ve been following for years in America. I’m even more excited to be driving alongside a long-term 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.

“From what I heard, the competition is slightly different to Europe but the level is very good. I’ll have to adapt to it quickly, but the team is already getting ready and I have no doubts they will do a great job. Álvaro has experience with both the team and the championship, and he is familiar with the race tracks. So, I will try to benefit from it.”

Soulet said: “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. Baptista 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.”