United Autosports Looks To Build On Success In “Home” FIA GT3 Races

· Team targets top-10 qualifying positions to fully exploit race tire strengths

· British GT race victor Bell aiming to continue winning ways

United Autosports arrives at Silverstone (England) for its “home” FIA GT3 European Championship races aiming to take forward the momentum the Anglo-American team has generated after its maiden race win.

The historic Silverstone venue situated 130-miles from United’s British raceshop in Leeds, stages the third and fourth rounds of the FIA series (June 3-5) with the GT3 squad buoyed by its victory in the British GT Championship last month (May 15).

Matt Bell (GB) and United’s 2010 FIA driver Mike Guasch (USA) steered their Audi R8 LMS in to victory lane making Bell doubly determined for a repeat dose of success at Silverstone – the scene of the team’s FIA race baptism 13 months ago.

Bell partners United Autosports’ Chairman Zak Brown in the #23 Legends of Motorsport Audi R8 LMS with Joe Osborne (GB) and Mark Patterson (USA) in the “sister” #22 Draper Tools R8 LMS looking to challenge for honors around the 3.67-mile “Arena” Grand Prix track. A new $43million pit and paddock complex, unveiled by HRH The Duke of Kent this month (May 17), will be used for the first time over the FIA championship weekend.

Bell, Brown and Patterson each drove the Audi in the corresponding Silverstone races last year while Osborne, who lives less than 20-miles away, netted a fifth place – in a Porsche 911 GT3 R. The quartet is determined to improve on their qualifying positions which they deem is the key to success at Silverstone. The Audi R8 LMS and its Dunlop tires are a strong race combination – its major asset being the longevity of its rubber in the latter stages. United Autosports has tested at Spa (Belgium) and Snetterton since the Algarve races. 

2011 FIA GT3 Drivers' Championship (after two races):

11^th= Bell/Brown, 2pts

2011 FIA GT3 Teams' Championship:

10^th United Autosports

Provisional Timetable:

Friday – 1220-1320 Practice; 1730-1830 Practice

Saturday – 0940-1030 Qualifying; 1330-1430 Race 1

Sunday – 1145-1245 Race 2

* All times are “local”

#22 Draper Tools – Audi R8 LMS

Joe Osborne (GB). Age: 22. Born: Bedford, GB. Lives: Olney, Buckinghamshire, GB:

“Silverstone takes on added importance for me as I was born and bred just 20 minutes away so I have got no excuse for not having track knowledge! I’ll be pushing hard and after the Portugal race, I’m only too aware that qualifying will be critical. We must start races from inside the top-10 to be in a position to push for podiums. I desperately want to score a top-three result in these races.”

Mark Patterson (USA). Age: 59. Born: Port Elizabeth, SA. Lives: Bronxville, New York State, USA:

“Joe and I will be trying to make up for our ‘sins’ in Portugal and get on to the championship scoreboard. If we get ‘typical’ English summer weather that’s not a problem – our Audi is fine in the cold and wet! I raced at Silverstone last year and am looking forward to going back to the ‘home’ of British motor racing.”

#23 Legends of Motorsport – Audi R8 LMS

Matt Bell (GB). Age: 21. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, GB. Lives: Barningham, North Yorks, GB:

“I love being at Silverstone. I had my first ever GT win with my brother there last year in a one-off British GT race. Our Audi R8 LMS was quick there in testing earlier this year and so I am definitely looking to achieve better results than in the opening races in Portugal.”

Zak Brown (USA). Age: 39. Born: Los Angeles, California, USA. Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:

“We must qualify better at Silverstone – grid positions are critical for a good race result. Our Dunlop tires probably aren’t as quick as Michelin rubber over a single lap but are a better race tire. But a better grid slot would mean we need to take less risks in the race.”

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

“Silverstone is the team’s ‘home’ race in that it’s the only round of the FIA series staged in England so it would be additionally good to achieve good results as we’ll have a large number of sponsor and partner guests throughout the weekend including Draper Tools and West London Audi. We put a lot of effort in at the Algarve and got scant reward. Our drivers, the team and our tire partner must all improve in qualifying. Top-10 grid positions would mean we’d be able to comfortably run in the top-six in the race so that has to be our target.”

United Autosports

Created in 2009, United Autosports is co-owned by American Zak Brown and Briton Richard Dean, both successful entrepreneurs and international race car drivers. The unique Anglo-American racing team fields GT3 class Audi R8 LMS sports cars from its United Kingdom headquarters in Leeds. It also races a fleet of “Legends of Motorsports” historic racing cars from its US facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2011, the team competes in full seasons of FIA GT3 European Championship, Avon Tyres British GT Championship and the “Legends of Motorsports” series. It will additionally contest selected GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series events, the 24 Hours of Spa (Belgium) and Macau GT Cup race (China).

Audi R8 LMS

V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, 365-412 kW (496-560 PS), 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. Won seven championships across Europe in 2009-2010 plus Spa 24 Hours class victory in début 2009 season and Nürburgring 24 Hours class victories in 2009-2010 and scoring a total 64 victories.

*  Bell, Brown, Osborne & Patterson biographies plus team & car profiles are available on the United Autosports website http://www.unitedautosports.com/

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

For further information, please contact:

Martyn Pass

Audi UK Sport Press

T +44 1564 824600

M +44 7801 859502

E audiuk-motorsport@earthlink.net

Skype martyn.pass

www.unitedautosports.com

www.audi-press.co.uk

Fantastic Hard Earned Maiden Win For United Autosports After Dramatic British Championship GT Race

·       Bell & Guasch score Audi’s first BGT race win with R8 LMS to take series lead

·       “Newcomers” Bintcliffe & Palmer finish a superb fifth in two-hour race

·       Bell claims Anglo-American team’s first BGT front row start position

Mike Guasch (left) and co-driver Matt Bell stand on the top step of the winner’s rostrum at Snetterton today

United Autosports scored a stunning maiden race victory today (Sunday May 15) when Matt Bell (GB) and Michael Guasch (USA) swept the #23 Molecule Audi R8 LMS to a dramatic, last-gasp yet thoroughly deserved victory in the third round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Snetterton (England).

The Anglo-American team’s joy was topped off by a fine fifth place achieved by John Bintcliffe (GB) and Jay Palmer (GB) in only their third race in the #24 Teknavo Audi R8 LMS in the 172-mile event run in changeable weather conditions.

Bell & Guasch started the race joint third in the championship standings but their hard-earned 2.946-secs victory now puts them at the top of the rankings with Bintcliffe & Palmer scoring their first points of the season to lie ninth in the points table.   

Bell, having briefly been in pole-position at the beginning of the red flag interrupted 30-minute qualifying session on Saturday (May 14), claimed a place on the front row with 10-minutes remaining. The achievement represented Matt’s career best qualifying position in the Audi R8 LMS and the first front row start for United Autosports in the team’s fifth BGT race.

Bintcliffe, fifth quickest for a spell, was bumped down to a sixth row start on the 25-car grid around the revised 2.99-mile Snetterton '300' track but greater rewards were to be achieved 24 hours later for both cars.

Avon Tyres British GT Championship (after three rounds):

1 Matt Bell & Mike Gausch, 70.5-points

2 Jones/Jones, 46pts

3 Gedie/Gedie, 41pts

9 John Bintcliffe & Jay Palmer, 15pts

Race (duration 120mins)

Qualifying: 2^nd #23 Bell, 1m 51.398s; 12^th #24 Bintcliffe, 1m 52.701s. Weather: Dry, bright.

Race Result: 1^st (#23) -2.946s; 5^th (#24), +71.666s. Weather: Damp, wet, drying, changeable.

With light rain falling, Guasch and Palmer started the #23 and #24 cars respectively, Mike slipping to third on lap four with Jay running 10^th before a 20mins Safety Car period from lap 10.

Rain began to fall once more but Guasch aggressively forced his way back into second place at the re-start on lap 20 with Palmer still a creditable 10^th before both United Autosports cars pitted for their compulsory driver changes on 40mins (lap 22) – Bell and Bintcliffe rejoining the race in 13^th and 15^th respectively.

Unfortunately seventh-placed Bell, who was actually “leading” the race by 14secs in terms of the cars having pitted, was back in the pits on 65mins (lap 29) to serve a six-seconds stop-go penalty, officials having deemed the #23 Audi’s pit-stop to have taken under the minimum time limit.

With 45mins to run a charging Bell was challenging for third with Bintcliffe a praiseworthy sixth. Bell moved into third place on 93mins (lap 43) – 36-seconds down on the leader – with Bintcliffe still sixth.

Bell, consistently the fastest car on track, and Bintcliffe moved up into second and fifth places respectively with 21mins remaining when the second-placed Ferrari retired. But with just 12mins remaining and with the lead now down to just 22secs, second-placed Bell was summoned to serve a drive-through penalty for a “no overtaking” yellow flag infringement although Matt retained second place but now 40secs adrift of the leading #10 Ferrari.

However, having been shown the black/orange warning flag by race officials five minutes from the finish for loose front bodywork, the lead Ferrari was forced to make a quick pit-stop for repairs at the start of final lap, exiting the pits marginally still ahead, although Bell snatched the lead around the outside of Turn One – Matt setting the #23 Audi’s best lap time on the final lap.

Upcoming . . .

The third & fourth rounds of the FIA GT3 European Championship at Silverstone (England) on June 4-5. The fourth round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Brands Hatch (England) on June 19.

#23 Molecule – Audi R8 LMS

Matt Bell (GB). Age: 21. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, T&W. Lives: Barningham, N. Yorks, England:

“I’m very happy. It was a race full of incidents and mistakes. I was a little surprised to get P2 in qualifying and to ultimately win the race after everything that was thrown at us which made it additionally hard. I just kept my head down, focus on the grip level in the slippery conditions and it paid off for us. I had a scary sideways moment on the grass when a Ferrari which I’d just overtaken came back up the inside and drove me off the track damaging his car in the process. I quickly had to get the two penalties out of my head and get the job done. From then on I just needed to be fast and consistent. I was alongside the #10 Ferrari as he exited the pit-lane on the final lap and drove around the outside of him at Turn One.”

Michael Guasch (USA). Age: 53. Born: Palo Alto, California. Lives: Walnut Creek, California, USA:

“It’s a fantastic result for the team, Matt and I, and Audi. It was hard work – we had a lot of bad luck and also a little good luck which evened out in our favor. I ran either second or third in my stint and there was a lot of carnage out there. Matt was released a little early costing us a stop-go penalty but Matt drove the wheels off the car – I’m thrilled.”

#24 Teknavo – Audi R8 LMS

John Bintcliffe (GB). Age: 45. Born: Bridlington, E. Yorks. Lives: Harrogate, N. Yorkshire, England:

“Jay and I are really chuffed with the result. We didn’t get much running before qualifying due to a handling issue in the opening practice then changing weather affecting the second practice. I’ve had very limited running on new tyres but felt I’m making progress in terms of the technique required, especially in qualifying. I’d not previously driven the Audi for over an hour at any one time so on reflection I was perhaps a little conservative in terms of my race pace. Only issue was an attack from an Aston Martin. Overall, a magnificent result for the team with first and fifth places.”

Jay Palmer (GB). Age: 38. Born: Harrogate. Lives: Harrogate & London, England / Barbados: 

“It was a really good race with a lot of attrition. My stint went well. I made a good start making up places but lost a position at the re-start following the Safety Car period. It was raining quite hard just before I pitted to John. Our objective today was to finish today’s race after non-scoring at Oulton so a fifth place is very pleasing.”

Zak Brown (USA). Chairman & Co-Owner of United Autosports:

“It’s a fantastic result for everyone connected with our team which ran its first race in April 2010. We achieved GT3 class podium finishes in the FIA European Championship, 24 Hours of Spa, Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and at Macau in our maiden season of competition and I’m thrilled that our team has achieved a race win – the first of many I’m sure this year. I’m very proud that United Autosports has scored Audi’s first BGT win with the R8 LMS.”

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

“Achieving United Autosports’ maiden race win has been hard to achieve but Zak and I have been extremely proud of the work ethic shown from every individual in the team and I’m sure we can go on and win more races. We made hard work of it but the victory was fully deserved. Mike and Matt both drove really well while Jay and John were fantastic – the entire team deserve this success and I’m personally delighted for everyone. Today’s race was difficult but once again the Audi was especially strong in the second half of the race. Twenty-four hours earlier it had been a great effort from Matt in qualifying while John’s performance was excellent considering his lack of miles in the Audi. ”

United Autosports
Created in 2009, United Autosports is co-owned by American Zak Brown and Briton Richard Dean, both successful entrepreneurs and international race car drivers. The unique Anglo-American racing team fields GT3 class Audi R8 LMS sports cars from its United Kingdom headquarters in Leeds. It also races a fleet of “Legends of Motorsports” historic racing cars from its US facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2011, the team competes in full seasons of FIA GT3 European Championship, Avon Tyres British GT Championship and the “Legends of Motorsports” series. It will additionally contest selected GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series events, the 24 Hours of Spa (Belgium) and Macau GT Cup race (China).

Audi R8 LMS
V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, 365-412 kW (496-560 PS), 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 1,320kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won seven championships across Europe in 2009-2010 plus Spa 24 Hours class victory in début 2009 season and Nürburgring 24 Hours class victories in 2009-2010 and scoring a total 64 victories.

*  Bell, Bintcliffe, Guasch & Palmer biographies plus team & car profiles are available on the United Autosports website http://www.unitedautosports.com/

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

For further information, please contact:

Martyn Pass

Audi UK Sport Press

T +44 1564 824600

M +44 7801 859502

E audiuk-motorsport@earthlink.net

Skype martyn.pass

www.unitedautosports.com

www.audi-press.co.uk

United Autosports Opens Points Tally In Portugal While Also Enduring Frustration On Algarve Return

· Anglo-American team show race competitiveness only for bad luck to strike
· #23 Audi scores championship point in both opening rounds of FIA series
· #22 Audi misses out on top-five result in closing stages of Race Two

United Autosports scored a valuable FIA GT3 European Championship point in both opening rounds of the series at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve circuit near Portimão this weekend (May 7-8).

Having netted a “podium” finish in the corresponding Portuguese races last year, the Anglo-American team had high hopes of repeating the feat around the challenging 2.92-mile track staging rounds one and two of this year’s series.

But poor qualifying results, due in the main to lack of front-end tire grip, ensured it was always going to be a struggle to record top places in the one-hour races. Ultimately the Matt Bell (GB)/Zak Brown (USA) #23 Legends of Motorsport Audi R8 LMS netted 10^th place in both races while the #22 Draper Tools R8 LMS of Joe Osborne (GB)/Mark Patterson (USA) posted two retirements – a top-five placing looking likely in today’s race.


2011 FIA GT3 Drivers' Championship (after two races)
11^th= Bell/Brown, 2pts

2011 FIA GT3 Teams' Championship

10^th United Autosports

Race 1 (Saturday, duration 60mins)

Qualifying: 17^th #22 Patterson, 1m 48.064s; 19^th #23 Brown, 1m 48.303. Weather: Dry, cloudy.
Race Result: 10^th (#23) +77.083s P1; Retired (#22), -31 laps. Weather: Dry, sunny.

Patterson started 16^th but having made up positions, was punted out of the race at the third corner on the opening lap – the American ultimately managing to bring his Audi with broken right rear suspension back to the pits to post the #22 Audi’s first retirement in its 13^th FIA race.

At the green light, a determined Brown made up an incredible six places on a hectic opening lap and into 11^th by lap 11 despite getting hit a number of times in the opening laps which damaged a wheel. He pitted from just outside the top-10 just before mid-distance, handing the Legends of Motorsport Audi over to Bell who was obliged to serve a stop-go penalty by race officials for completing the mandatory driver change pit-stop two tenths of a second under the 75secs minimum “stationary” time – a decision organizers 24 hours later suggested was incorrect due to a timing malfunction. Bell recovered to take the checker placed 10^th – the second highest Audi R8 LMS – despite sustaining a broken engine mount.

Race 2 (Sunday, duration 60mins)

Qualifying: 17^th #22 Osborne, 1m 46.828s; 20^th #23 Bell, 1m 46.996s. Weather: Dry, cloudy.
Race Result: 10^th (#23) +41.569s P1; 18^th (#22) Not running at finish -3 laps P1. Weather: Dry, sunny.

Overnight repairs finished at 3.30am after a fantastic effort by the crew to get both Audi sports cars race ready for Race Two – the drivers looking to reward their hard work with top finishes. Osborne and Bell hovered just outside the top-10 line astern before a Safety Car period prompted the pit-stop phase, both United Autosports cars stopping together on lap 15.

Patterson was placed eighth when the race action resumed and went for fifth place with three laps to go but collided with an Aston Martin which tore off the Audi’s front wheel. A slightly tardy pit-stop saw Brown lose contact with the “sister” Audi but worked his impressively through the field and up to 10^th by the end – despite being spun around in the closing stages – his “attacker” receiving a drive thru penalty for the ambitious overtaking maneuver to underline the team’s competitiveness.

Upcoming . . .

The third round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship. A two-hour race staged at Snetterton, Norfolk (England) on May 15 – on the new “300” track. Matt Bell & Mike Guasch are placed joint third in the standings after a “double” podium in the opening races at Oulton Park (April 25). Third & fourth rounds of the FIA GT3 European Championship at Silverstone (England) on 4-5 June.

#22 Draper Tools – Audi R8 LMS

Joe Osborne (GB). Age: 22. Born: Bedford, GB. Lives: Olney, Buckinghamshire, GB:
“This weekend has been so frustrating after what had been a successful winter testing program in which the Audi was mega. I was gutted after qualifying. We’d been in the ‘mix’ in practice but on new tires, we had no front end grip which wasn’t helped by the track being ‘greener’ due to overnight rain.

“The start of Race Two was crazy – we were four wide going in to Turn 1 and I just waited for a hit. I made up around five places and had Matt as a ‘rear gunner’ for me before the Safety Car and handing over to Mark. I’d tried to hold back so as to get in the pits early – which worked perfectly for the ultimate winner because he was way behind Matt and I before the Safety Car. For us it was a second DNF of the weekend but we’d shown in this race that we were competitive. I must thank the crew who were up until the early hours making repairs to our car – made courtesy of sponsor Draper Tools’ range of pit equipment!”

Mark Patterson (USA). Age: 59. Born: Port Elizabeth, SA. Lives: Bronxville, New York State, USA:
“The cooler temperatures in qualifying didn’t help our cause while a Red Flag interrupted my run. Race One got no better for me when I posted our car’s first-ever DNF. I’d made a pretty good start and picked up a place or two, took a bump at turn two then a guy turned in on me aggressively at turn three, hitting my back wheel which broke the suspension.

“Joe did a great job in Race Two before handing to me in the Safety Car phase during which I picked up some ‘cheap’ positions. I guess I was a little over anxious and tried a pass that was too aggressive and that was the end. A little more patience from me would have been a great asset for the team but I will learn from this.”

#23 Legends of Motorsport – Audi R8 LMS

Matt Bell (GB). Age: 21. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, GB. Lives: Barningham, North Yorks, GB:
“We didn’t have the ultimate pace in qualifying, struggling massively for grip, but our race pace was good in both races. However, starting where we did on the grid meant it was always going to be impossible to make up a massive amount of time and despite coming through to 10^th in Race One, I was still disappointed. Zak made a good start and put in a great stint, handed over to me and I went back out in P11, caught a group in front of me only to get a stop-go penalty – there was potential for a top-six no question.

“I made a great start in Race Two – it was a complete mêlée out there. I couldn’t describe how I got to where I did – I was just praying no one would hit me because there was so much going on – and ended up behind Joe in the ‘sister’ Audi. We got stuck behind an Aston Martin which held us up before he made a mistake due to our pressure just before the Safety Car. In the end, it was another point for 10^th place. A big thanks to our car crew – they did a great job overnight in giving us a good racecar.”

Zak Brown (USA). Age: 39. Born: Los Angeles, California, USA. Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:

“I’ve not done as much pre-season testing as I would have liked. I had minor surgery after the 24 Hours of Daytona that took me out of action for a month so I’m a little short of miles. I was disappointed with my qualifying performance for Race One but put that behind me and made a mega start, making up a load of places with some neat overtaking. Unfortunately we got a penalty, which later turned out to be an incorrect decision by the organizers, otherwise I think we would have been inside the top-six.

“Unfortunately in Race Two another Audi hit me on the back section of the track which spun me around costing about four positions. If we compare our FIA début at Silverstone 12 months ago to this weekend, we’ve shown in both races to be competitive and potential top-six finishers. Mark and Joe did a great job today and were very unfortunate not to post a top-five.”

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"I can’t help being disappointed – especially for the team who have worked incredibly hard and tirelessly this weekend and through no fault of our drivers, were not rewarded with the race results we deserved. Last year we started a race here from the front row. Our best this weekend was 17^th – our qualifying performance was a major frustration. Our Dunlop tires are superb in a ‘used’ condition and over a race duration – as was shown in both races – but for qualifying, the grip level is not there. In Race One, Zak got hit a number of times not far away from where Mark’s race was wrecked with suspension damage while the #23 Audi, despite a bent rear wheel and what we later found to be a broken engine mounting, registered 10^th place after strong performances from both Zak and Matt.

“Joe and Mark deserved to get a top-six finish in Race Two today and although Mark’s attempted pass wasn’t successful, I’m glad he went for it as it shows we are competitive. Matt and Zak should have recorded another top-six finish for us. The #23 was sat bumper-to-bumper with the #22 Audi in the pit-stop but was a little slower during the driver change procedure. So we come away with a 10^th yesterday – organizers today admitting that the timing was wrong for a number of cars including our #23 so we shouldn’t have had any penalty – and another 10^th today. Scant reward for every member of the team. But we leave Portugal knowing that an improvement in qualifying will enable us to regularly fight for top-six placings this season.”

United Autosports
Created in 2009, United Autosports is co-owned by American Zak Brown and Briton Richard Dean, both successful entrepreneurs and international race car drivers. The unique Anglo-American racing team fields GT3 class Audi R8 LMS sports cars from its United Kingdom headquarters in Leeds. It also races a fleet of “Legends of Motorsports” historic racing cars from its US facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2011, the team competes in full seasons of FIA GT3 European Championship, Avon Tyres British GT Championship and the “Legends of Motorsports” series. It will additionally contest selected GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series events, the 24 Hours of Spa (Belgium) and Macau GT Cup race (China).

Audi R8 LMS
V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, 365-412 kW (496-560 PS), 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 1,320kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won seven championships across Europe in 2009-2010 plus Spa 24 Hours class victory in début 2009 season and Nürburgring 24 Hours class victories in 2009-2010 and scoring a total 64 victories.

* Bell, Brown, Osborne & Patterson biographies plus team & car profiles are available on the United Autosports website http://www.unitedautosports.com/

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

For further information, please contact:

 

Martyn Pass

Audi UK Sport Press

T +44 1564 824600

M +44 7801 859502

E audiuk-motorsport@earthlink.net

Skype martyn.pass

 

 

www.unitedautosports.com

www.audi-press.co.uk

United Autosports Looks To Build On Foundations In British GT Championship

The third round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship is staged at Snetterton (England) on Sunday May 15 with United Autosports looking to build on the foundations of its successful start to the season.

Matt Bell (GB) and Michael Guasch (USA) recorded two podium finishes in the opening two rounds at Oulton Park (Monday April 25) and start the two-hour race placed joint third in the championship standings. Their #23 Molecule Audi R8 LMS will consequently be held for 10secs “success” time penalty during the mandatory pit-stop.

John Bintcliffe (GB) and Jay Palmer (GB) meanwhile will be aiming to score their first points on the revised 2.99-mile Snetterton '300' track having just missed out on scoring a point in the second race at Oulton Park. The team will be heading back to the UK “fresh” from competing in the opening rounds of the FIA GT3 European Championship in Portugal this weekend (7-8 May).

Championship Standings (after two rounds):

1 David Ashburn/Richard Westbrook, 37-points
3= Mike Guasch/Matt Bell & Charles Bateman/Michael Lyons, 33pts

Provisional Timetable:

Saturday – 0930-1030 Practice; 1300-1400 Practice; 1735-1805 Qualifying
Sunday – 0900-0910 Warm-up; 1315-1515 Race
* All times are UK “local”

#23 Molecule – Audi R8 LMS

Matt Bell (GB). Age: 21. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, T&W. Lives: Barningham, N. Yorks, England:

“I've raced at Snetterton twice, both last year, the first time with Richard [Dean] in a Ginetta G50 and claimed second overall, first in class and most recently in a Formula Renault Winter Series race. I tested on the new track earlier this year and it’s certainly more of a challenge while retaining some great corners from the ‘old’ track. It'll be an interesting race and I’m hoping the longer duration will suit us. The Audi is good on tires while my co-driver Mike [Guasch] excels at longer stints. Let's hope I can match him and keep the momentum going!”

Michael Guasch (USA). Age: 53. Born: Palo Alto, California. Lives: Walnut Creek, California, USA:

“I am really looking forward to Snetterton. I tested there a few times last year and once this year on the new configuration. I like the track, it suits my driving style. I can't wait.”

#24 Teknavo – Audi R8 LMS

John Bintcliffe (GB). Age: 45. Born: Bridlington, E. Yorks. Lives: Harrogate, N. Yorkshire, England.

Jay Palmer (GB). Age: 38. Born: Harrogate. Lives: Harrogate & London, England / Barbados:

“It’s probably been seven years since I raced at Snetterton but I briefly tested the Audi R8 LMS there in March. I think the newly revised track is more fun while the ‘infield’ section should suit our Audi as should the fact that the race lasts for two hours. After non-scoring in the opening rounds at Oulton Park, John and I are doubly determined to get some points at Snett.”

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

“We made a decent start to the championship at Oulton with the #23 Audi. Two podiums was a good effort from what, behind the scenes, was a somewhat difficult weekend with various issues and accident damage. The #24 R8 LMS was unlucky in Race One but showed promise in the second race and I expect Jay and John to record top-10 finishes at Snetterton. The more experienced pairing of Matt and Mike, should also be strong at Snetterton with the two-hour race format particularly suiting our car. Snetterton will be BGT’s first refueling race bringing strategy and pit-stop efficiency in to play.”

United Autosports

Created in 2009, United Autosports is co-owned by American Zak Brown and Briton Richard Dean, both successful entrepreneurs and international race car drivers. The unique Anglo-American racing team fields GT3 class Audi R8 LMS sports cars from its United Kingdom headquarters in Leeds. It also races a fleet of “Legends of Motorsports” historic racing cars from its US facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2011, the team competes in full-seasons of FIA GT3 European Championship, Avon Tyres British GT Championship and the “Legends of Motorsports” series. It will additionally contest selected GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series events, the 24 Hours of Spa (Belgium) and Macau GT Cup race (China).

Audi R8 LMS

V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, 365-412 kW (496-560 PS), 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, Avon radial tires. Start weight 1,300kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won seven championships across Europe in 2009-2010 plus Spa 24 Hours class victory in début 2009 season and Nürburgring 24 Hours class victories in 2009-2010 and scoring a total 64 victories.

* Bell, Bintcliffe, Guasch & Palmer biographies plus team & car profiles are available on the United Autosports website http://www.unitedautosports.com/

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

For further information, please contact:

Martyn Pass

Audi UK Sport Press

T +44 1564 824600

M +44 7801 859502

E audiuk-motorsport@earthlink.net

Skype martyn.pass

For further information on-event, please contact:

Jay Ashton

M +44 7919 186291

E jay@unitedautosports.com


www.unitedautosports.com

www.audi-press.co.uk