Draper Tools Becomes Partner Of United Autosports’ 2011 Programs

United Autosports’ brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars will be adorned in Draper Tools livery for the Anglo-American team’s attack on the FIA GT3 European and British GT Championships next year.

Draper Tools Limited is a family-run company supplying hand tools to industry since 1919. In addition to car branding Draper Tools, based in Hampshire, England, will supply equipment and consumables for both United Autosports’ FIA and BGT teams.

The company sells products in all major tool categories including automotive, builders, DIY, gardening, construction, decorating and engineering. More recently Draper Tools, awarded accolades for the high quality of its products, has diversified into hobby, leisure and other non tool lines.

In addition to FIA races likely to be staged in England, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia and Spain plus BGT races (listed below), United Autosports will be in action again at the 24 Hours of Spa (July 30-31) where it claimed stunning third and fourth places in the GT3 category last year.

United Autosports will also work closely with Draper Tools so that valued existing and potential customers attend races in Europe next year and watch the action close-up. Draper Tools also has an agreement with Grand Prix Racing (GPR) who will be both promoting and selling the Draper brand via their Silverstone facility and its website.

2011 Avon Tyres British GT Championship

08 Mar  Silverstone  Media/Test Day

09 Mar  Silverstone  Test Day

23-25 Apr  Oulton Park  2hr race

14/15 May  Snetterton 300  2hr race

18/19 Jun  Brands Hatch  2x1hr races

07/08 Jul  Spa-Francorchamps  2x1hr races

tbc  Silverstone or Donington  2x1hr races

03/04 Sep  Rockingham  2x1hr races

24/25 Sep  Donington Park GP  3hr race

08/09 Oct  Silverstone Arena  2hr race

(Provisional calendar)

Clive Richardson, Marketing Director at Draper Tools:

“Our new association with United Autosports is a further extension of our ongoing brand awareness at the top level of automotive tool users. Our company is delighted to be the team’s prime tooling sponsor and are very excited at being linked with major brands like Audi and Dunlop. Being associated with these prestige brands on race tracks throughout Europe will further promote the Draper Tools brand in this key product sector.”

Zak Brown (USA). Driver, Chairman, Co-Owner United Autosports:

“It’s great to have fantastic partners such as Draper Tools support our team. We depend heavily on their superb equipment to help us build and maintain our racecars so the association fits perfectly.”

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:

“Draper Tools’ backing of United Autosports is a further endorsement of our new but fast moving team! Draper has a high end and extensive product range which fits perfectly with the exacting standards our team require. Motorsport always works in an extreme environment that proves any product and our engineers are delighted and proud to be in partnership with Draper Tools.”

* A comprehensive library of Editorial Copyright Free photographs can be downloaded at www.flickr.com/unitedautosports.

United Autosports Achieves Top Result In Final Race Of Début Season

· Briton Danny Watts claims podium on Anglo-American team's Macau début

Danny Watts (right) on the winners’ podium after finishing third in the Macau GT Cup race today

United Autosports brought the curtain down on a promising maiden season when Danny Watts (England) achieved third place in the Anglo-American team's final race of 2010 today (Sunday November 21).

Watts drove his Audi R8 LMS home to third place in the 10-lap GT Cup race at the prestigious Macau season-closing race meeting in Asia. Team-mate Richard Meins (England), who lives in nearby Hong Kong, retired the "sister" #28 Audi from eighth place on the eighth lap with a transmission issue.

The United Autosports GT3 class Audi sports cars qualified in third (Watts) and eighth (Meins) places on the 33-car grid but Meins started from seventh when three cars non-started. After an opening lap collision and subsequent track clear up in the preceding Road Sport Challenge event, the GT Cup race started under Safety Car conditions for the opening two laps as cement dust remained on the racing line approaching Turn 1.

In a generally processional 27-minute race around the 3.8-mile "street" circuit Watts, who has been the team's driver coach throughout its maiden FIA GT3 European Championship season, encountered low grip level while Meins had slipped back to ninth at mid-distance.

United Autosports which raced for the very first time in April this year, competed in 17 races. In Belgium (twice), China, Czech Republic, England (twice), France, Macau, Portugal and Spain with the Audi involving 14 different drivers. The team also did two race weekends with the Ginetta G50 (BGT & BritCar).

The team scored top-three podium results in the FIA GT3 European Championship, 24 Hours of Spa, Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (Zhuhai, China) and now the prestigious annual Macau GT Cup race – all in the ambitious team's first year of competition.

Its brace of Audi sports cars are scheduled to arrive back in England on December 31. Work will begin immediately on both R8 LMS cars with one going on static display to promote the Autosport International Show (Birmingham, England) at the nearby Hilton Metropole Hotel (January 13-16). A brand new R8 LMS should be delivered from Audi in January.

Testing commences in February at Navarra (Spain) in readiness for the team's second consecutive season in the FIA GT3 European Championship (Zak Brown/Matt Bell plus TBA/TBA) and its inaugural full British GT Championship campaign (Matt Bell/Michael Guasch plus John Bintcliffe/Jay Palmer).

#3 Gulf Marine Lubricants / Mandarin Shipping / TT Club – Audi R8 LMS
Danny Watts (GB). Age: 30. Lives: Thornborough nr Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England:
Macau History – 2002: 1st Formula Asia 2000; 2003: 10th F3 Grand Prix; 2004: 12th F3 GP; 2005: Retired F3 GP; 2006: 1st Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2007: 5th Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (finished 1st on road but given 25secs penalty for yellow flag infringement); 2008: 2nd Macau GT Cup; 2009: 3rd Macau GT Cup.
Qualifying: 3rd, 2m 31.798s. Weather: Sunny, warm. Race Result: 3rd, +30.8s. Weather: Sunny, warm.

"My best opportunity for gaining a place was going into Lisboa on the first lap but with the race starting behind the Safety Car for two laps, I just didn't have sufficient heat in the tires to challenge. I attacked and pushed as hard as I possibly could and drove my heart out, I really wanted my first Macau GT race win but it wasn't to be and that maiden GT victory continues to elude me. The grip level didn't really come in for some reason and I had to take care of the brakes at times – there was absolutely nothing more to come. After the last two days, I couldn't believe that the race ran cleanly without any crashes – just when I needed a Safety Car it never came! But I've had a great time, really enjoyed myself racing for United Autosports again and just thoroughly love Macau."

#28 Gulf Marine Lubricants / Mandarin Shipping / TT Club – Audi R8 LMS
Richard Meins (GB). Age: 55. Born: Beckenham, England. Lives: Hong Kong:
Macau History – 2000: Retired Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2001: Retired Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2002: 12th Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2003: 6th Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2004: Retired Guia Race (Honda Integra); 2005: 2nd (Class B) Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2007: 1st (Class B) Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2008: 8th Macau GT Cup; 2009: 11th Macau GT Cup.

Qualifying: 8th, 2m 35.940s. Race Result: Retired.

"I was challenging for seventh place when I had a transmission problem coming in to the Melco Hairpin and lost drive. I rebooted the system but lost drive again for good at Lisboa. The start had been confusing, we all thought it was going to be one lap behind the Safety Car but ended up doing two. I made a mistake by braking too early at the end of the straight which allowed the Ginetta of Frank Yu to get through. That in itself was a shame because Frank was a lot slower around the back section than me. I lost a place to Dilantha Malagamuwa in the Lamborghini but nudged the back of his Lambo when Frank was slow through Fishermans to regain the place. I was all over Frank's Ginetta and it was only a matter of time that I'd get through but then I had the problem. I've nevertheless had a great two races with United Autosports in the Audi R8 LMS and would love to drive with them again."

Zak Brown (USA). Chairman & Co-Owner of United Autosports: Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:
"What United Autosports has achieved in its first season is beyond my wildest dreams. We've made our mark in a number of different championships and stand alone races with stellar driver line-ups – it's been an awesome first year for everyone connected with our team. We're well advanced with plans for our 2011 campaigns in the European GT3 and British GT championships and have other exciting plans in store for next season."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"We cannot be disappointed with a podium although it would have been nice to finish our first year off on the top step. I'm a little frustrated that we didn't challenge for the race win. Our team came here as Macau virgins and perhaps that showed in the race – we will certainly do things differently when we come back to this unique race track again. It demands a different approach and that showed as the guys who finished in front of us are Macau 'veterans' while the regulations are not as closely matched to the GT3 rules that we abide to in Europe so we've learned lessons the hard way. I'm also certain that Audi will learn from its first visit to Macau with the R8 LMS.

"Having started our year off at Oulton Park in April, to finish our début season off with another rostrum result, on the other side of the world here in Macau, we've all got to be proud of ourselves. It's been an amazing 'road trip' for our team, comprising of a small number of permanent staff, who had not even started work on the Audi project this time last year. We've made a solid start and one which we plan to build on in 2011."

United Autosports Start Macau Street Race From Second And Fourth Rows

· Danny Watts narrowly denied front row start by Red Flag stoppage
· Hairpin queue delay costs Richard Meins likely top-five grid slot

Danny Watts (England) starts his Audi R8 LMS sports car from third place with United Autosports team-mate Richard Meins (England) placed eighth on the on the near capacity 33-car grid in the GT Cup race at Macau tomorrow (Sunday November 21).

Watts swept his #3 Audi to a personal best fastest time of 2min 31.798secs, an average speed of 90.19mph, around the ultra-demanding 3.8-mile temporary street circuit. Meins, meanwhile, clocked a 2:35.940 (87.79mph) in the #28 R8 LMS in today's delayed 30-minute qualifying session.

The team had arrived at the circuit at 6.30am in preparation for the 8.15am scheduled time trial only to find organizers had revised the timetable overnight, delaying GT Cup qualifying until 10.55am – a session which was red flagged three times and ultimately abandoned with still nine minutes to run.

Watts and Meins posted P2 & P7 times on their first flying laps and Watts' time would ultimately stand as his best – thwarted by the first red flag after 8mins, the second red on 15mins of running and then the third and final stoppage, which organizers then deemed signaled the end of proceedings, 21mins in – the session actually having lasted 44mins by that stage.

Danny crossed the finish line 0.3secs after the red flag had been shown for the final time and so was cruelly denied that lap time which was within a second of the pole-sitter (Keifa Sawa, Lamborghini LP560, 2:25.386) which would have moved Watts on to the front row.

Meins did improve on his initial first flying lap time but was a casualty of another traffic jam caused by the #22 Lamborghini Gallardo still being unable to negotiate the Melco Hairpin – the source of the final red flag. A top-five grid would have been the Kong Kong-based Englishman's reward but for the delay.

Watts and Meins had set the sixth (2m 44.409s) and 12th (2m 52.312s) fastest times in a bizarre opening GT practice session the previous day when the entire test was disrupted lap after lap when most of the Lamborghini Gallardo sports cars were unable to get around the tight Melco Hairpin cleanly.

Only rarely did a Gallardo make it without coming to a complete standstill, either necessitating assistance from marshals or conducting a three-point turn maneuver. Consequently lengthy stationary queues formed on the approach, up to 12-cars at times, which ultimately caught out Meins after 14mins.

The 10-lap race, featuring a United Autosports entry and the Audi R8 LMS for the first time, is scheduled to start at 10.05am (local time) tomorrow.

#3 Gulf Marine Lubricants / Mandarin Shipping / TT Club – Audi R8 LMS
Danny Watts (GB). Age: 30. Lives: Thornborough nr Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England:
Macau History – 2002: 1st Formula Asia 2000; 2003: 10th F3 Grand Prix; 2004: 12th F3 GP; 2005: Retired F3 GP; 2006: 1st Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2007: 5th Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (finished 1st on road but given 25secs penalty for yellow flag infringement); 2008: 2nd Macau GT Cup; 2009: 3rd Macau GT Cup.
Qualifying: 3rd, 2m 31.798s. Weather: Sunny, warm.

"Qualifying was disjointed denying me any opportunity of getting in to a rhythm but that often sums up Macau. It's a unique place and very different from the majority of tracks we race on and these things will always happen here. With a big grid on such a demanding track, it's up to you as a driver and the team to make sure you don't suffer. I got a 'banker' lap in early on which was always the plan. I stopped after the first red flag, made some changes to the car to make the front end a little sharper, changed tires and went back out but unfortunately just didn't have the time to get the ultimately lap in. But the Audi now feels very good, I'm really looking forward to the race."

#28 Gulf Marine Lubricants / Mandarin Shipping / TT Club – Audi R8 LMS
Richard Meins (GB). Age: 55. Born: Beckenham, England. Lives: Hong Kong:
Macau History – 2000: Retired Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2001: Retired Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2002: 12th Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2003: 6th Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2004: Retired Guia Race (Honda Integra); 2005: 2nd (Class B) Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2007: 1st (Class B) Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2008: 8th Macau GT Cup; 2009: 11th Macau GT Cup.

Qualifying: 8th, 2m 35.940s. Weather: Sunny, warm.

"Frustrating sums up qualifying for me. On my second flying lap I was delayed by a couple of Lamborghinis clearing themselves at the hairpin. Then I had to come to a complete standstill when the #22 Lambo nosed in to the Armco at the same spot which ultimately brought an end to the session. My 10th Macau meeting got off to a disappointing start in Friday's opening practice session. I came across a queue of stationary, double 'parked' cars on the approach to the hairpin and couldn't avoid making contact causing me to miss half the session and necessitating a rebuild of the front right suspension overnight. There are only one or maybe two overtaking possibilities on the circuit so starting from row four I have my work cut out but I'll give it my best shot."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"On paper third and eighth places on the grid looks to be a reasonable achievement but the times are totally unrepresentative and on a track like Macau, you need to be right at the very front just to stay clear of likely carnage. Richard's sector times were good enough for a place on the front two rows which would have kept him out of the 'danger zone'. Danny did a time a smidgen off pole and having been to see the race organizers, they confirmed he crossed the line 0.3secs after the red light was thrown and so the lap didn't count. Overtaking opportunities are few and far between and having witnessed what's gone on over the last two days with all of the on-track mayhem, I just don't know what will happen come the race."

United Autosports Aiming To Sign Off From Maiden Season With Top Result

·       Danny Watts and Richard Meins contest prestigious Macau GT race

·       First race appearance for Audi R8 LMS in former Portuguese colony

It will be just two weeks since United Autosports contested a 1,000km endurance sports car race in Zhuhai and is located a mere stone’s throw from the Chinese city but the second and final leg of the Anglo-American team’s “fly away” end-of-season Asian excursion will seem like a world apart when it participates in the Macau GT race on Sunday November 21.

Having competed in 14 one hour races at seven different venues in either the FIA GT3 European or British GT Championships, the 24 hours of Spa (Belgium) and most recently the 621-mile multi-driver Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (China) since the team made its competition début in April, United Autosports brings the curtain down on a promising and ultra competitive maiden season by débuting at the world famous, season-closing annual Macau Grand Prix meeting.

Danny Watts (Britain) and Hong Kong-based Richard Meins (Britain) race the Audi R8 LMS in the 10-lap GT race around the notoriously narrow and 3.8-mile “street” circuit. Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ginetta, Lamborghini, Porsche GT cars are included on the 36-car GT entry list.

The 57^th Macau Grand Prix runs November 18-21 and includes the FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup, the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 44^th edition, and the FIA World Touring Car Championship – Guia Race of Macau with the GT race headlining four other support races.

Every year the Macau GP event attracts drivers from around the world. 252 drivers from 35 countries and nations are at this year’s event, a fitting year end to what has been a remarkable maiden season for United Autosports which is now well and truly on the world map.

Macau (also known as 澳門 and Macao) is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China. It lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta bordering Guangdong province to the north and facing the South China Sea to the east and south. Macau was a Portuguese colony and both the first and last European colony in China.

Provisional Timetable:

Friday November 19

1410-1440        Practice

Saturday November 20

0815-0845        Qualifying

Sunday November 21

1005-1055        Race (10-laps)

* Local times

#3 Gulf Marine Lubricants / Mandarin Shipping / TT Club – Audi R8 LMS

Danny Watts (GB). Age: 30. Lives: Thornborough nr Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England:

Macau History – 2002: 1^st Formula Asia 2000; 2003: 10^th F3 Grand Prix; 2004: 12^th F3 GP; 2005: Retired F3 GP; 2006: 1^st Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2007: 5^th Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (finished 1^st on road but given 25secs penalty for yellow flag infringement); 2008: 2^nd Macau GT Cup; 2009: 3^rd Macau GT Cup.

“Macau is a very special place. From a driver’s perspective, it is one of the most challenging tracks in the world as it has a bit of everything – a first gear slow-speed hairpin, chicanes, long straights and fast corners, so getting a car set-up perfect is hard to achieve. There are no run-off areas so any mistake is heavily punished. Macau is unique. Yes it’s a street circuit, like Monaco and Pau for example, in that it’s lined by barriers but for me that’s where any similarity ends. I have been privileged to race at both of these other street circuits and none of them compare to the challenge that Macau brings and it’s one of those tracks you cannot explain unless you have been there to drive and experience firsthand. It’s generally perceived as the last race of the year for everyone so there is a definite party atmosphere. This year’s GT race marks the first at Macau for the Audi R8 LMS, and of course United Autosports, so I’m aiming to have a good reason to celebrate afterwards.

“I adapted quickly to the R8 LMS in my first race at Zhuhai recently. I won a Porsche Carrera Cup race at Macau several years ago, have finished on the GT podium a couple of times but so far victory has eluded me so I am hoping that by changing my car, from a Porsche to an Audi, is going to change my luck although a good qualifying will be the key. Having led our class at Zhuhai until the last hour, I’m eager to score United Autosports’ maiden win.”

#28 Gulf Marine Lubricants / Mandarin Shipping / TT Club – Audi R8 LMS

Richard Meins (GB). Age: 55. Born: Beckenham, England. Lives: Hong Kong:

Macau History – 2000: Retired Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2001: Retired Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2002: 12^th Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2003: 6^th Guia Race (Ford Focus); 2004: Retired Guia Race (Honda Integra); 2005: 2^nd (Class B) Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2007: 1^st (Class B) Porsche Carrera Cup Asia; 2008: 8^th Macau GT Cup; 2009: 11^th Macau GT Cup.

“I think the Audi will be perfect for Macau because it is a very fast circuit and as I found out at Zhuhai, the Audi has plenty of great power. It is very bumpy and there is a lot of braking and the R8 LMS gives you a lot of confidence. I don’t think I could ask for a better car to have at Macau because it is a place you don’t want a wayward car. It should be very good race and I’m very optimistic of a top-five finish.”

Zak Brown (USA). Chairman & Co-Owner of United Autosports: Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:

"I couldn't think of a more prestigious event to end our first full year of racing. Based on Danny’s outright speed at Zhuhai, I think we have a strong chance to finish the season on the top step of the podium. Richard also drove consistent and clean so must be on for at least a top-six. Unfortunately prior business commitments will keep me away from Macau but I’ll be closely monitoring the team’s progress”.

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:

“Danny and Richard both know the Macau track very well. We need a good, trouble-free qualifying session because it is almost impossible to overtake so a good grid start is vital. If we can accomplish that then there is no reason why we cannot achieve top-five finishes with both cars. We go in to the Macau race after finishing third in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Zhuhai, Danny having led much of the race.

“I returned home to the UK for a few days feeling a little despondent when on reflection, I shouldn’t have – it was a fantastic result for our small team in our first ‘fly away’ event. Danny and Richard were both racing for us for the first time in China while at the same time driving the Audi R8 LMS for the very first time – neither had tested the car previously. So they now have an understanding of the Audi. Macau is a spectacular event and would be a fitting venue for us to score our maiden win.”

Audi R8 LMS (Sportscar according to latest 2010 FIA GT3 regulations)

V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, emission control by two racing catalytic converters, rear-wheel-drive, traction control (ASR), sequential pneumatic activated 6-speed sport gearbox with shift-paddles, Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum with bolted steel roll-cage, carbon-fiber composite/aluminum bodywork, Dunlop radial tires. Start weight 1,300kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. United Autosports achieved third and fourth places on the team’s 24 hour race début in the 2010 Spa 24 Hours.

* A comprehensive library of Editorial Copyright Free photographs can be downloaded at www.flickr.com/unitedautosports.

United Autosports Earns Intercontinental Le Mans Cup Début Rostrum Finish In Prestigious Chinese Race

· Cruel late race transmission issue robs Anglo-American team of almost certain class victory in team's maiden "fly away" race

Alain Li (left) and Henri Richard claimed a podium finish for United Autosports on the team's ILMC race début

United Autosports wrote a new chapter in its very short but burgeoning history book when the Anglo-American team achieved a top-three rostrum finish in Asia today (Sunday November 7).

Having contested races in Great Britain and mainland Europe throughout its maiden year in competition, the ambitious outfit made a strong Intercontinental Le Mans Cup race début with its brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars at Zhuhai – a stunning GTC class victory being snatched from the team's grasp in the closing stages.

Alain Li (France) and Henri Richard (France) piloted their #97 Audi in to third place with Richard Meins (England), Danny Watts (England) and Frank Yu (Hong Kong) sharing the #96 Audi that was ultimately unclassified but which looked set for a "LM" GTC category glory.

Watts and Henri Richard had set the second and fourth fastest GTC times in qualifying the previous day – Danny denied scoring the team's maiden class "pole" in the final minute of the 20-minute session in which the damp track continued to dry throughout.

The organizing ACO handed a 30kg weight ballast to the Audi R8 LMS sports cars for the race which started under hazy but increasingly warm sunshine with Watts pressurizing the similar class pole-starting #98 Audi for the lead for much of the opening hour in the 1,000km race. Danny took the lead when the #98 Audi pitted on 60mins while Meins took over the #96 Audi from Watts four minutes later, rejoining still in the class lead after the #98 Audi endured a lengthy pit-stop.

Richard in the #97 Audi moved up to third in class after 24mins and pitted 25mins later for Li but Alain was back in the pits 10mins later, the United Autosports crew replacing a wheel bearing in just 33mins after a superb effort by the crew in the hot and humid conditions.

Meins lost the lead approaching the two hour mark after a spin but was back ahead again 17mins later when the #98 Audi pitted, the class leading #97 United Autosports Audi pitting for Yu on 2hr 15m – the Hong Kong driver remaining ahead following another long stop by the rival #98 Audi.

Li handed back the recovering #98 to Henri Richard with almost three hours on the clock, still fourth in class, while Yu gave the lead Audi to Watts 3hr 22mins into the 232-lap race.

But with a near two-lap advantage and with just 26-laps remaining, Watts coasted to a standstill exiting Turn 12 when his Audi lost drive leaving Henri Richard to salvage a third place in the "sister" #97 R8 LMS at the checker.

The team undertook general maintenance on its cars post race and into Monday aiming to clear customs later that afternoon before its freight container embarked on its journey to Macau. Watts and Meins will compete in the GT race at the prestigious annual "street" event (Nov 19-21) – marking the race début for United Autosports and the Audi R8 LMS sports car at the world famous venue.

#96 Audi R8 LMS

HOURLY OVERALL/GTC CLASS POSITIONS: Driver rotations DW/RM/FY/DW. Start Pos 13th/2nd (Watts); 1hr 12th/1st; 2hrs 16th/2nd; 3hrs 17th/1st; 4hrs POS/POS; 5hrs 17th/2nd; FINISH Not Classified

Richard Meins (GB). Age: 55. Born: Beckenham, England. Lives: Hong Kong:

"We hadn't done much testing in the dry because of the wet weather the previous days so it took me a couple of laps to get into it. I had a spin at the end of the straight but apart from that, I concentrated on avoiding the quicker traffic while at the same trying to put in consistent laps. It's been a fantastic experience driving the Audi – it's a fabulous car."

Danny Watts (GB). Age: 30. Lives: Thornborough nr Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England:

"I was in full control of the race with almost a full two lap advantage when suddenly the Audi lost drive. I wasn't pushing and was just looking after the car because at my last pit-stop, the clutch was slipping. Nevertheless I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of driving the Audi in the GTC category. It's totally different to what I have been used to all year and I felt I adapted quickly. It's a predictable car to drive. In qualifying, our engineer Alan Mugglestone made a great call and sent me out on cut slick tires on the damp but drying track in qualifying. But the track dried out totally for the final 10mins and I was bumped off class pole right at the end which was disappointing."

Frank Yu (HK). Age: 47. Lives: Hong Kong:

"I thoroughly enjoyed my stint and first race in the Audi apart from the final result of course. I paced myself with the #98 Audi and just maintained the gap. The Audi is really an excellent car. It's so easy to drive and 'friendly'. The best thing about the R8 LMS is that it takes very little time to get accustomed to its characteristics. Within five laps of practice, in wet or dry conditions, I was up to pace."

#97 Comtech Group / Roger Dubuis / WT Microelectronics – Audi R8 LMS

HOURLY OVERALL/GTC CLASS POSITIONS: Driver rotations HR/AL/HR. Start Pos 22nd/4th (Richard); 1hr 20th/3rd; 2hrs 21st/4th; 3hrs 21st/4th; 4hrs POS/POS; 5hrs 19th/4th; FINISH 17th/3rd

Alain Li (F). Age: 50. Born: Caen, France. Lives: Hong Kong:

"Early in my stint I knew there was something wrong. The team did a great job in repairing it and I quickly got in to a good rhythm. It took a little bit of time to get used to the pace of the LMP cars passing you but then I settled down. In my second stint I just tried to stay consistent. It was another level of experience for me after Spa. Henri did a sterling job and to finish third on the podium is a dream come true for me."

Henri Richard (F). Age: 52. Born: Paris, France. Lives: Los Altos Hills, CA (USA):

"It was a shame that we had the bearing issue but that's racing. The team nor the drivers gave up, we had great pace and pushed to the end. I was very impressed with United Autosports, especially considering it's the team's first year and they've gelled incredibly quickly in to a great outfit. Qualifying was challenging as I'd never driven the car on slick, dry weather tires due to rain throughout the Friday and Saturday morning practice sessions. The Audi R8 LMS is so easy and predictable to drive making it a great car for endurance racing."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:

"I love Le Mans Series style endurance races so it was great for United Autosports to be involved for the first time. It's been tough for our first 'fly away' race but we coped well. On track activities began on Thursday and we immediately encountered a gearbox problem which is puzzling as the same car finished our last race at Zolder without a problem. We effectively needed to get four out of our five drivers some experience of the Audi but two days of rain set us back. The repairs to the #97 cost 33mins but then the car ran faultlessly to the end with both Henri and Alain setting exceptionally good times. Our #96 car which was driven beautifully by Danny, Frank and Richard, led for so long then lost all drive. We believe its clutch failure but we're not sure until we carry out a full investigation."