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

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