K-PAX gets another clean sweep at VIR

Another weekend, another pair of victories for the No. 1 K-PAX Lamborghini in the FANATEC GT World Challenge America, as this time Michele Beretta and Andrea Caldarelli conquered the Virginia International Raceway while prevailing in pace, even if coming from the back was needed.

The K-PAX Lamborghinis were quick to secure positions once the Race 1 started, with the No. 1 leading the No. 3, though MIchelle Beretta was finding more pace than Misha Goikhberg in the initial moments. As if chasing the leading cars wasn’t almost a monumental job for Michael Dinan in the No. 96 Turner BMW, Steven Aghakhani in the No. 6 US Racetronics Mercedes was putting pressure and ready to make a move for third.

With the No. 91 Zelus Lamborghini stopped and the No. 9 TR3 Lamborghini crashed, the Safety Car had to be called, but once the green was back, the yellow had to be called again, as multiple cars crashed and the No. 61 AF Corse Ferrari and the No. 38 ST Racing BMW took the worst hits and came to a halt in the grass.

It was almost at the 30 minute mark the track was cleared again, and Goikhberg saw himself in trouble as the No. 3 was gobbled in the battle behind the leader, which put the No. 96 into second place. The pit window was even harsher on the No. 3, throwing it down to sixth overall to deal with some of the Pro-Am Cup entries.

Loris Spinelli was on a mad dash to close down on the No. 1, but his Mercedes went off track and barely hit the barrier, being able to go back with minimal damage but two positions lost. The No. 96 was the only one left to challenge the No. 1, but Robbie Foley was unable to close down on Andrea Caldarelli during the remaining time. The No. 13 Triarsi Ferrari was dominant in the Pro-Am Cup, while the team’s No. 23 Ferrari took the Am Cup win.

GTWC America VIR - Race 1 results

As per usual on Sunday, K-PAX Racing has more trouble at the starts with the pro drivers starting in the Pro-Am Cup entries, meaning that the polesitter No. 93 Racers Edge Acura was going away with the overall first place while the No. 1 was the best K-PAX Lamborghini from fifth overall and second in the Pro Cup, eventually conceding one position in the first 15 minutes.

Two Safety Car interventions during the first half meant that Mario Farnbacher couldn’t rest in the No. 93, and by coincidence, the Acura NSX GT3 Evo found itself in the same situation as during the second part of NOLA Race 2, where Ashton Harrison was the leader but the No. 1 K-PAX Lamborghini was coming. Again, Harrison didn’t offer any challenge as she had a Pro-Am Cup lead to defend, allowing the No. 1 to take the overall lead while the No. 6 US Racetronics Mercedes came along in second.

Dropping a wheel off track during the pursuit was a problem again for the No. 6, but once it dropped in pace it never reverted the situation. The No. 93 also went off track, which allowed the No. 04 Crowdstrike Mercedes to take and go away with the Pro-Am Cup lead and win, while Michele Beretta added another one to the No. 1’s winning streak. The No. 23 Triarsi Ferrari ended the list of Race 2 winners, conquering the Am Cup with authority.

GTWC America VIR - Race 2 results

Watkins Glen is the next destination of the series on 23 and 24 July

PHOTOS: SRO/Grier Martin