PWC: K-PAX/Flying Lizard reveals 2016 plans

Following a successful season running two McLaren 650S GT3s in the Pirelli World Challenge in 2015, K-PAX Racing with Flying Lizard Motorsports has announced plans to return to the Pirelli World Challenge in 2016 with a potentially three-car McLaren 650S GT3 effort.The squad ran two cars this year after the two championship-winning teams merged for the 2015 season, with returning K-PAX Racing driver Robert Thorne and the addition of McLaren GT factory driver Kevin Estre. The combined team scored the first two wins on American soil for the McLaren. With Estre and Thorne, the team produced four wins and eight podium finishes.

"When you have two teams that are so established in their own arenas, a merge like ours could have been really difficult," said program manager Darren Law. "The joining of K-PAX Racing and Flying Lizard Motorsports was so seamless, we knew we were going to have something really great. It was an excellent opening year, and we're very excited to return to the series with K-PAX owner Jim Haughey."

In addition to the return of the No. 6 and No. 9 McLaren 650S GT3s, the team has completed the build of a third McLaren available for customer racing. Armed with a year of knowledge and data, the team has upgraded a K-PAX Racing McLaren 12C to the 650S model. Although the tub remains the same, the car has been equipped with all new suspension, bodywork and other upgrades.

"The strength and competitiveness of the 650S really showed this year, and we're excited to be able to continue the expansion of our program by offering up a third car to a customer," said K-PAX owner Jim Haughey. "I'm looking forward to our continued progress and evolution as a team and look forward to another season in a race series as competitive as Pirelli World Challenge."

"We have formed a solid relationship with McLaren," continued Law. "They are great to work with, and the cars are fast and reliable. The support they provide us at events shows their commitment to their brand and their customer's success with the McLaren GT program. We're excited to keep developing this relationship and also continue to provide our customers with a high quality racing program on and off track as we prepare for another championship."

The 2016 Pirelli World Challenge season will showcase 20 races in 11 events, kicking off March 3-6 at Circuit of The Americas and concluding Oct. 9 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.