K-PAX Racing and Flying Lizard Motorsports will run separate operations in the Pirelli World Challenge GT and GTS classes next year, focused exclusively on McLaren and Porsche machinery, respectively.

The California-based squad, which operates both programs, will expand into GTS with at least two Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MRs, having opted not to enter McLaren’s new 570S GT4 car due to a conflict of interest.

“Because of the Porsche GT4 program, we have to focus on that and the manufacturers don’t want to share a team,” Program Manager Darren Law told Sportscar365.



“Once we got our program together with Porsche, it really dictated that becomes the [GTS] program. So the McLaren and Porsche have separate deals. It will be good to have a Flying Lizard-specific Porsche program.

“I’m excited. We should have quite a few cars next season.”

Law confirmed the K-PAX operation, fresh off its overseas debut in last weekend’s Sepang 12 Hours, will return with multiple McLaren 650S GT3 cars to defend its GT title.

A formal program announcement is expected in January, including the driver lineup, which is believed to again feature a McLaren GT factory driver following Alvaro Parente’s 2016 title.

“We will for sure be back with K-PAX and have a program with McLaren,” Law said. “I can say that for sure. How many cars and who… we’re still working on.”

2016 GTS runner-up finisher Nate Stacy has been the first confirmed driver for Flying Lizard’s Porsche GT4 program, with the team currently finalizing the second pilot.

Law said he wouldn’t rule out running a third Clubsport MR, if there’s customer interest.

The K-PAX operation will contest the full GT season, including Sprint and SprintX, with the Flying Lizard Porsches set for the nine-round Sprint GTS season only, despite the cars also being eligible for SprintX competition next year.