FIA GT News

United Autosports Takes Seventh In Qualifying For Tomorrow's Bathurst 12 Hours

2012-02-25T02:23:00.001-08:00

·   Patterson, Yu and Li revel in their first laps at Bathurst

·   United Autosports Audi R8 LMS runs perfectly at awesome Mount Panorama

·   Tire strategy puts team in strong position for the race

·   Patterson avoids kangaroo in first qualifying!

Qualifying for the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour classic GT endurance event went exactly to plan today for the United Autosports trio of drivers in their Audi R8 LMS as the team acclimatized to the spectacular Mount Panorama circuit.

US-based South African Mark Patterson, Hong Kong-based Frenchman Alain Li and Hong Kong’s Frank Yu did everything asked of them by Team Manager Richard Dean, each driver setting a good lap time, with Patterson clocking up the team’s fastest time of 2m 13.0757s to put them seventh on the grid for tomorrow’s 12 hour race.

The times of the three drivers were aggregated over the two qualifying sessions to give the car its grid position, and overall, on the team’s first visit to Bathurst, the drivers did an admirable job around a circuit that reputably can take years to learn. And that was all while avoiding kangaroos on track; as the first qualifying session began, a message was flashed to the teams to say: 'Kangaroos on the circuit at turn 18', at which point, Patterson radioed in to say: "Woah! Just missed one!"

On arrival on Thursday morning, Patterson, Li and Yu were given some coaching by fellow Audi R8 driver, Australian Craig Lowndes in a road car around the undulating circuit to help familiarize them with the tricky rollercoaster-type undulations.

With an allowance of only 10 sets of Michelin tires for the entire qualifying sessions and race, the team strategy was to use only one set of tires for all three drivers in qualifying and save the rest of the allocation for the race. Thus each driver went out, set a respectable time and then returned to the pits.

That was how it remained through the shorter second half hour qualifying session later in the day in very hot conditions, during which each driver simply went out, set a time and returned to the pits with the rest of the time being used for pit stop practises.

All the three drivers are delighted with the whole Bathurst experience, which for each has been on their ‘must do’ list of races. Patterson, Li and Yu are all experienced endurance racers and the Anglo-American team is aiming for a podium at the end of the 12 hours, which is streamed live at http://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/, starting at 06.15am local time.

From left to right, Alain Li, Mark Patterson and Frank Yu

Alain Li (F), Age: 51. Born: Caen, France. Lives: Hong Kong:

“This is a great track and considering we only did a few laps yesterday, every lap out you're still learning something and gaining more speed. Everybody did a great job and P7 is a pretty good position to start from.

“We had quite a lot of help from Craig Lowndes, who showed us where the lines were, braking points and so on and that helped a great deal. The Audi is perfectly suited to this sort of track and the engineers have given us a great car. The brakes are phenomenal and you need good brakes around here because there's little run-off. The turn in on the car is really sharp, the pick up on the power make for a brilliant, brilliant package.”

Mark Patterson (SA), Age 60. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, NY, USA:
“We had a comfortable 10 or 11 laps each yesterday; all scoring in the 2m 17s so it seemed like quite a challenge to get out there and race against guys who really, really know the track. But the car with new tires and lighter fuel felt so much better. We'd learned a lot [from yesterday] by going through the data and all of us pulled in three seconds or better on our prior lap time.

“Obviously we can't beat the guys who have slept and walked and talked and raced this wonderful racetrack on pure lap times, but the car is in fabulous shape so if we can go garageless the whole time - trust me - we'll be fighting it out for a podium in the end. This is going to be a great race!”

Frank Yu (Hong Kong), Age: 48. Born: Hong Kong. Lives: Hong Kong:
“We have put in some good laps and being our first time here, I think we have done well. We used one set of soft tires for the entire duration of qualifying for all three drivers - and I was the last one out.

"Richard and Erik have a strategy and told me to do just one lap of about 2 minutes 18s and you're done, and that's exactly what I did. We need to do the least amount of pit stops we can [during the race] so nursing the tires will be critical and finishing the race is the most important.”

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
“The regulations state 10 sets of tires are available to teams from the start of qualifying to the end of the race so it's easy with two qualifying sessions totaling two hours to go through too many sets of tires and not have enough for the race. We decided to use only one set today which meant the first guy out would get the best of the tires, which was Mark.

“Alain went out and did a great job to pretty much match Mark's time. Frank had got the worst of the tires and he's improved again on yesterday, so seventh on the grid is good and only one set of tires used gives us nine new sets for us to play with tomorrow. But we'll obviously be double stinting some tires with 12 or 13 stops; we're not sure when in the race yet - we'll see what the weather is like!”

United Autosports Heads Down Under For Bathurst 12 Hours

2012-02-15T09:04:00.000-08:00

·   Patterson, Yu and Li take on driving duties in Bathurst

·   Audi R8 LMS – winner of last year’s Bathurst – gives United Autosports team
proven race-victor

·   Final winter warm-up race before season starts

Above: Mark Patterson and Frank Yu took to the wheel of the #26 United Autosports Audi R8 LMS last month in the Dunlop 24h of Dubai

United Autosports heads down under to race one of its Audi R8 LMS GT3 cars in the spectacular Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour race on February 24-26 with a trio of top drivers tackling the classic GT endurance event in Australia.

US-based South African Mark Patterson will share cockpit duties with Hong Kong’s Frank Yu and Hong Kong-based Frenchman Alain Li, and while none of the drivers have raced at Bathurst before, each has always harbored the dream of competing in this race.

Bathurst is the third winter pre-season race - after Dubai and Abu Dhabi - to be contested by the Anglo-American Leeds-based team. United Autosports makes its début at the circuit, the Australian track having been made famous for its spectacular Touring Car races, and the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour GT event will test both men and machine to the limit around the awesome 6.213 km-long roller-coaster Mount Panorama circuit.

The Audi is a proven 24-hour race winner, having won last year’s Spa 24 Hour race, the 2011 Blancpain Endurance Series, and not to mention last year’s Bathurst 12 Hours.

Patterson, Yu and Li have all raced the United Autosports Audi with great success on several occasions and have taken many podiums between them. All three are experienced long-distance drivers and know exactly what it takes to succeed at this level. As the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour gets underway on February 26, the whole team is confident of making its mark in this historic event.

Above: Alain Li raced for United Autosports in the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2010 and 2011

Alain Li (F), Age: 51. Born: Caen, France. Lives: Hong Kong:

“I have dreamed about racing at Bathurst since I first started watching the races on the BBC in the ‘80s when the rivalry between Peter Brock and Dick Johnson was at its peak. The track looked amazing on TV and the coverage from Channel 9 in Australia with live on board 'chats' with the drivers as they raced bumper to bumper over the mountain was spectacular. The chance to fulfill one of my racing ambitions with United Autosports in the Audi R8 - and with Mark and Frank as team mates - is literally a dream come true. The Audi took the first two places in last year's race and will hopefully be as competitive again in 2012. I have every confidence in Richard and the entire team to deliver a great package, however it will be a first for everyone involved and a steep learning curve but I’m sure we’ll progress in every session and to be well up at the finish. Mark and Frank are great drivers; I’ve raced with both and I think we are capable of springing a surprise with a little luck.”

Mark Patterson (SA), Age 60. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, NY, USA

“I’ve been to Australia and watched this great race on TV but have never been there in person, so the challenges of the track itself are very appealing. I’m told it takes half a dozen races, just like the much longer Nürburgring, to get any kind of a grip on the subtleties of this track. I’ve driven with Alain twice before in the Spa 24 Hour race, and he’s reliable and quick, while Frank and I have yet to race together. I hope not to embarrass him! United Autosports and I have had a very exciting and rewarding 2-year relationship that is already spilling into 2012. It is always the neatest and most professional team on the grid.”

Frank Yu (Hong Kong), Age: 48. Born: Hong Kong. Lives: Hong Kong:
“This is my first time at Bathurst and being a street circuit it’s always been one of the events on top of my ‘to do’ list. The Audi R8 LMS has proven its reliability with some good results – including winning at Bathurst last year - so I’m quite confident the car will do well. I’ve partnered Alain before in three or four endurance events; he’s quick, consistent, fit and great as team mate. It’ll be my first time to partner Mark and I’m looking forward to it. It will be great to team up with United Autosports again as it’s a very professional team and everyone is great to work with, while Richard is a good leader and friend. I can’t wait to be there!”

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
“I’m really looking forward to taking the team to Bathurst, which is one of those iconic circuits where we vowed we would race when Zak and I set up the team, so it’s fulfilling another of our dreams. Although we don’t underestimate what a difficult circuit Mount Panorama is to learn, I’m confident with Mark, Frank and Alain in the team’s Audi R8 LMS, they will be quick learners and I’m expecting a top result, especially after an Audi won the event last year!”

2012 Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour Timetable (all times local; GMT +11)
Friday, February 2408:15 - 08:50 Practice 1 - Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour
11:00 - 11:35 Practice 2 - Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour
14:50 - 15:25 Practice 3 - Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour

Saturday, February 2508:15 - 09:45 Qualifying 1- Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour
16:30 - 17:00 Qualifying 2 - Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour

Sunday, February 2606:15 - Pit Exit Opens
06:30 - Start of the Amor All Bathurst 12 Hour
18:30 - Finish of the Amor All Bathurst 12 Hour

United Autosports Sets Out 2012 Blancpain Title Intent With Star-Studded Driver Announcement

2012-01-30T02:43:00.000-08:00

Le Mans 24 Hour winner and double American Le Mans Series Champion David Brabham joins United Autosports in title bid

· Massive coup for team as McLaren GT-factory driver, GP2 race winner and British Formula 3 Champion, Álvaro Parente joins Leeds-based outfit

· United Autosports-managed exciting youngster Matt Bell joins champions in mighty Pro Class McLaren MP4-12C GT3 entry

A United Autosports McLaren MP4-12C GT3 car in action at the Autosport Show in the UK earlier this month

World class drivers David Brabham (Australia) and Álvaro Parente (Portugal) will join United Autosports’ highly-rated youngster, Matt Bell (England) for one the most impressive line-ups in the six-round 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series; and with the sole intention of taking the Pro Class crown.

The Leeds-based team has put together a trio of winning drivers in one of its two all-new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 cars, and each of these all-out racers is hungry to add the prestigious Blancpain title to his portfolio.

David Brabham, the youngest son of three-times F1 World Champion, Sir Jack Brabham, has established himself as a world class sportscar driver. Following a season in Formula 1 in 1990 with the Brabham team - originally founded by his father - and another brief encounter in 1994, David moved into sportscars, the pinnacle of his career being winning at Le Mans. He took double GT1 class titles for Aston Martin Racing in 2007/8 preceding the outright victory with Peugeot. He also raised the bar by clinching the American Le Mans Series title twice in 2009 and 2010.

Co-driving alongside Brabham will be exciting Portuguese racer and McLaren GT-factory driver Álvaro Parente, the 2005 British Formula 3 and 2007 Renault 3.5 Champion joining United Autosports as a very valuable addition to the Anglo-American team. Parente is a race winner in the Formula 1 feeder series GP2 and a recent McLaren signing to develop the new 12C GT3 sportscar. Parente’s experience behind the wheel of the McLaren supercar will prove invaluable as the team switches marques this year.

Managed by United Autosports and youngest of the team’s #22 Pro car line-up, is 22-year old Matt Bell, who has been ear-marked as a future sportscar champion. Matt has been a revelation during the first two seasons with the team, and gets his big chance in 2012 alongside two extremely quick and proven champions.

As previously announced the #23 Pro/Am entry crew is equally impressive with former Formula 1 driver and Indycar race winner Mark Blundell spearheading the crew in his first full-time racing commitment since finishing his Indycar career in 2000. The Royston-based driver will share the McLaren cockpit with United Autosports’ team co-owner and regular sportscar racer, American Zak Brown, and US-domiciled South African, Mark Patterson to produce a second formidable squad in the European series.

The two-car McLaren MP4-12C GT3 team heads to Monza on February 14/15th for its initial shakedown and test session with all six drivers.

Still an exceptionally young team, United Autosports - which is co-owned by American Zak Brown and Briton, Richard Dean - enters its third season of GT racing in 2012, with the very specific goal of taking its first major title in sportscar racing.

David Brabham (Aus), Age 45. Born: Wimbledon, UK. Lives: Henley-on-Thames, UK:

“I am very excited to be joining United Autosports; I have seen them in the paddock and on the race track and I was always impressed with their presentation and performances. They are a small team with big ambitions, so I am very happy to part of the team. I’ve had over 20 years of racing at a pretty good level and have worked for many factory teams, like BMW, McLaren, Panoz, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bentley, Acura and Peugeot, so I have a lot of knowledge in developing cars, racing them and seeing how best to work with people and help get the most out of them.

“I raced a McLaren F1 supercar in Japan in 1996 and won the Japanese GT500 Championship, so it is great to race with them again. The McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is a beautiful looking car and I am sure it will be a lot of fun to drive. I am really looking forward to driving it with two fast team mates, and as always my expectations and goals are to win. I saw Álvaro race in Formula 3 and he was exceptional and has become a top driver in the sport. I don't know Matt that well, but if the team have signed him up, then he must be good. I have known Richard Dean for a long time and we raced together in Formula 3 in 1989, so it’s great we will be working together to help propel United Autosports into a winning team this year.”

Álvaro Parente (POR), Age 27. Born: Porto, Portugal. Lives: Porto, Portugal:

“I'm very happy to be racing for United Autosports in the Blancpain series and I know United is a strong and ambitious team, and that we will have all the correct ingredients to have a great year. We have a strong driver line-up and together with the team and the MP4-12C GT3 we will be looking good this year, and I can't wait to start racing! The championship is competitive and I really like the tracks we will be racing at such Spa, Monza and Silverstone where I have had some very good races.”

Matt Bell (UK), Age 22. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Lives: Barningham, UK:

“This will be my third season since United Autosports’ co-owners Richard Dean and Zak Brown plucked me out of Ginetta G50s, and I can't wait for it! Having a good relationship with your team makes it much easier to turn up and get on with the job of driving. The Blancpain Endurance Series had phenomenal success in its first season last year and seems to have grown yet again for 2012. We took part in the Spa 24 Hours last year and it was an extremely competitive grid so I'm expecting more of the same this season.

“Although I haven't been out in the McLaren yet it looks fantastic, and with the company’s pedigree in both Formula 1 and sportscar racing, I'm expecting it to be an excellent car to drive too; it certainly looked very fast in the selected development races last year! What I'm most looking forward to though, is our driver line-up; to be sharing a car with McLaren driver Álvaro, as well as one of the most successful sportscar drivers in recent history in David Brabham, is a mouth-watering prospect and an excellent opportunity for me too.”

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

“Zak and I have been working hard on putting together our ideal line-up for our Pro car entry into the 2012 Blancpain series, and this is it! With Brabham, Parente and Bell we have every chance of success, and collectively the whole team has its eye on the goal of taking the title. I couldn’t be happier with the quality, speed and experience we have in the driver line-up. These guys will help further develop the car and the team, and will get every last 1/100th of a second out of the new McLaren MP4-12C GT3!”

United Autosports Commits To December’s Gulf 12 Hours Event

2012-01-21T09:10:00.000-08:00

• Team commits to Abu Dhabi race with two McLaren MP4-12C GT3s

• Strong showing by top teams contributes to return

• Sensational podium on début after 12 hours racing for UK-based team

Following on from yesterday’s inaugural Gulf 12 Hours at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi and its sensational podium position, United Autosports can confirm its entry in the second running of the event.

In a move from this year’s January slot, the next Gulf 12 Hours will be later this year in December 2012. The exact date has yet to be announced.

The Anglo-American team confirmed its entry in this inaugural event back in October and remained committed to being on the grid with one of its Audi R8 LMS cars, in which it last night was in the lead battle up to a finish line sprint.

Although the event is still very much in its infancy, United Autosports joined world-class, international teams such as AF Corse (Italian), Kessel Racing (Swiss), Autorlando (Italian) and Aylezo Motorsports (Malasian) on the starting line in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Team owners Richard Dean and Zak Brown have been so impressed with the track, organization and competition that they have, without hesitation, agreed to enter the team’s two McLaren MP4-12C GT3s for the next fixture.

Above: United Autosports will return to Abu Dhabi in December with two McLaren MP4-12C GT3 cars

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

“It’s a difficult job getting an event up and running from nothing so I applaud everyone involved. It’s been professionally run - the venue is out of this world, and to have high-class competition such as AF Corse and Kessel Racing has been great.

“We [United Autosports] love doing one-off events like this and others such as Macau, Daytona 24 and – only last week – the Dunlop Dubai 24 Hours. This event’s got the potential to be right up there with the best of them, especially with this fantastic circuit as host.

“We will have had the 12C GT3 for a full season by December and I’m sure I’ll have no problems in filling the driving seats.”

Andrea Ficarelli (IT), Director Driving Force Limited, Organizers of the Gulf 12 Hours
"For us, this first race is to 'break a wall'; to move it from being a project to an established event. So now everyone can see that this event is something real and it has all of the qualities to become a major event in endurance racing. Even if the number of teams for the first race has not been very high, the quality has been very, very high and it is the first sign of the potential of this event."

“We are aware that there is very strong interest from teams to come here and this confirmation that United Autosports will run two McLarens in December is exactly what we were hoping for and we obviously welcome it. We have had top teams from Italy, from Switzerland and the Anglo-American team United Autosports, which all contribute to making the event even more international.”

Above: One of United Autosports' McLaren MP4-12C GT3 cars in the

Live Action Arena at the Autosport International Show in the UK earlier this month

Autosport Show photo credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

United Autosports Gulf 12 Hour Victory Thwarted By Pace Car With Just 30 Minutes To Run

2012-01-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

· Dynamic performance by Dalziel, Potolicchio and Popow claims team a fantastic third place in Audi R8 LMS

· Suspense-filled race provides drama to the finish after 12 hours

· In one of the closest GT3 races in history United Autosports in the lead battle up to finish line sprint

In one of the tensest finishes to any endurance race, the United Autosports trio of Scot Ryan Dalziel and Venezuelan pair, Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow drove an inspired race, leading the inaugural running of the Gulf 12 Hours at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on yesterday with just 30 minutes to the finish.

With half an hour of the race left, Dalziel had the lead and was heading for certain victory until the safety car negated the team’s hard-earned advantage. Once back under the green flags and right on the tail of the Audi R8 LMS, the two Ferraris of Marco Cioci and Philipp Peter just picked him off on the long straights and a frustrated Dalziel took a valiant third just place 9.884s behind the winner after 299 laps and 12 hours of racing. The top three GT3 cars were covered by just nine seconds at the flag.

Keeping up the momentum from the Dubai 24 Hours, United Autosports campaigned a sole Audi R8 LMS for the Duncan Batteries, Taxand and Soloson-sponsored drivers in Abu Dhabi, Dalziel posting a 2m11.976s best lap time for the Anglo-American squad to start third in the race.

There was plenty of action around the 3.45-mile circuit throughout the 12 hours, which started in daylight and finished in the evening under the infamous Yas Island floodlights. The 12 hour race was split into two parts of six hours duration each with a 90 minute break in between.

Dalziel started the race for United Autosports, maintaining his fourth grid slot at the start and successfully fending off an attack by one of the AF Corse cars. Potolicchio brought the car up to third with Popow getting into the driving seat after 81 laps and taking second place following a rapid pit stop by the crew.

A longer stop to change front brake pads with 1hr 37 minutes remaining dropped the Audi back to third and now it was imperative to stay on the same lap as the two Ferraris ahead. Popow, now in the #5 Audi, locked his front bumper onto the leading Ferrari and with eight minutes to run, forged his way past to finish the first six hours in third place and crucially on the same lap as the Ferraris.

Potolicchio was back at the wheel for the start of the second part of the race and was almost immediately in trouble when the #90 AF Corse Ferrari ran straight into him, losing Enzo about 17 seconds to recover from a resulting spin. When the safety car was deployed again, Enzo made his mandatory pit stop handing the reins to Alex, who began to hone in on the #3 Ferrari. Another change to Dalziel and the Audi needed another set of brake pads, which the team changed in record time, exiting the pits just as the safety car was released onto the circuit yet again.

With just over two hours left, Potolicchio was involved in a do-or-die dogfight with the Kessel Ferrari, the Venezuelan snatching second after a riveting performance. The next pit stop coincided perfectly with another safety car period, this time while Popow was in the car, and he was able to hold station in second place behind the #3 Ferrari, which was a pit stop behind.

However, the final half hour was simply nail-biting as the team willed Dalziel to stay ahead to the finish. When the safety car was deployed with 36 minutes left on the clock, his lead was eroded and as the race went green again, he could no longer hold off the two Ferraris which had the pace on the straights and he brought the Audi home in third for a fine podium finish.

Ryan Dalziel (GB), Age 29. Born: Glasgow, Scotland UK. Lives: Orlando, FL, USA:

“We knew that we were up against the factory Ferrari 458s and United Autosports gave us a really good car. We all drove the wheels off it all day - all the guys did an incredible job. We went a little bit off-strategy, but came out in the lead and everything was going perfectly until the last safety car which was the last thing we wanted.

”It was a difficult race - for sure second was on the cards, but we got a podium; third place is good. We accomplished everything we came out here to do - we wanted to represent North American and South American racing, and we mixed it with some really good guys and great teams so we’re really happy to be part of this. We’re very grateful to United Autosports and between the three of us, thank you to everybody for having us.”

Enzo Potolicchio (VE), Age 43. Lives: Caracas, Venezuela:

“The strategy worked really well - I was able to pass the leading Ferrari and held off the other one coming out of the pits which was really good to lead for a while. We actually pulled out a little bit and I handed the car over in the lead. We did some really good stints and kept the car on the lead lap most of the race. It's unfortunate - we could have had a little bit more luck but unfortunately the luck wasn't there for us.”

Alex Popow (VE), Age 36. Lives: Lecheria, Venezuela:

“This has been a sweet and sour experience; in the beginning we were struggling with trying to go six hours with the brakes and that's one of the things that didn't work for us and we lost some time [changing the pads]. But the car was great. Ryan did a good job; the Ferraris were so fast on the straight but we were faster on the slow parts of the track.

”The best part of the race for me, the moment when I was most inspired was trying to go to the end of the first 6-hours on the limit and it paid off because in the end we were able to keep it on the same lead lap to start the second part of the race on the lead lap, which was crucial to being in contention for the last 15 minutes.”

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

“It doesn’t get much closer than that; 12 hours racing, three cars covered by nine seconds. I thought we had it there but the safety car that came out with 20 minutes to go cancelled out our lead and putting the three cars together made for quite a race at the end. We had a good strategy on our initial pit stops and it gave us something to play with at the end which put us back into the lead, so credit to all the team on that.

“I couldn’t have been happier to be in the lead after 11 hours and 45 minutes. You just don’t expect it to be a sprint race like that for 12 straight hours. AF Corse, a great team, and Kessel, they’ve all won championships before, so it feels hurtful right now that we’ve got so close and we’re only third but it’s no disgrace to be beaten by class teams like that and it shows how far we’ve come. We didn’t make a mistake and I think we made time up. Unfortunately the Audi’s a little bit heavier on brakes than the Ferrari, so we had to do an extra brake pad change in both races, which the Ferraris didn’t, so I was very pleased to make that time back up in the pit stops again.

"Long distance races are all about team work and strategy but the three drivers, I have to say, were very close, very evenly matched; they didn’t make a mistake and really kept us in with a shout right to the end.”

Photo credit: John Dagys

United Autosports Trio Qualify In Strong Third For Gulf 12 Hours

2012-01-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

·   Starworks Motorsport drivers take Audi R8 LMS to superb top three in qualifying at Yas Marina Circuit

·   Competitive GT3 field leaders covered by less than half a second

·   United Autosports highly-impressed with fantastic Formula 1 circuit

United Autosports continued its account in the Middle East for the Gulf 12 Hours at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi today with a blistering third fastest time in qualifying, Scot Ryan Dalziel and Venezuelan pair, Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow, planting the Audi R8 LMS firmly third in class on the grid for tomorrow’s 12 hour race.

Sixteen cars have been entered for the first ever endurance race around the state-of-the-art 3.45-mile circuit on Yas Island, with a combination of GT3, GT4 and GTC-level Cup cars, as well as FIA CN-class purpose-built prototypes. As in Dubai for last week’s 24 Hour race, United Autosports has the sole Audi R8 LMS on the grid.

The Leeds-based team was one of only three outfits competing in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, along with AF Corse’s Ferrari F458 Italia GT3 and the Autorlando Porsche 997 GT3-R. In addition, the world class competition also features a second AF Corse Ferrari and the Kessel Racing Ferrari 458. The United Autosports Audi was one of several top GT cars juggling the times throughout the four qualifying sessions and covered by half a second at the finish, with Dalziel's 2:11.976s best lap time for the Anglo-American squad.

All three drivers put in excellent performances to finish qualifying third in class, and the very first Gulf 12 Hours race - with the Avelon Formula 1 Wolf GB 08 CN2 class car on pole position - begins tomorrow in daylight and ends under the floodlights, which has given the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit an enigmatic ambiance.

Having set some of the fastest laps during the Dubai 24 Hour race last weekend, the Duncan Batteries, Taxand and Soloson-sponsored United Autosports Audi is expected to produce an inspired performance tomorrow.

After the first six hours – during which time the teams must make five stops each - there will be a 90-minute break during which time the teams will be able to work on the cars before the second six hours starts during the night hours and another five stops during that period. Race 1 takes the green flag tomorrow at 09:30 am local (12:30 am ET/05:30am GMT), with Race 2 set for 5 pm local (08:00 am ET/13:00pm GMT).

Ryan Dalziel (GB), Age 29. Born: Glasgow, Scotland UK. Lives: Orlando, FL, USA:

“It's been good today - what an amazing place to come to and experience for the first time. After seeing it on TV, for us just coming over here and being able to tick one of those famous venues off your driver list has been excellent. The format [of the day] has been excellent; we've had lots of track time and all three of us are up to speed. We got a third fastest lap in qualifying and we're really happy with that; we're competitive against the Ferraris, and United Autosports has given us a very good, easy car to drive with the Audi R8 LMS. I'm just loving it and looking forward to the race tomorrow."

Enzo Potolicchio (VE), Age 43. Lives: Caracas, Venezuela:

"We got here yesterday and when you take a look at this beautiful place - probably the best track [I've been to]. It's very technical, very fast and we've only had an hour each to learn the track before qualifying but we are happy where we are and we'll have a good car for the race. We've been having a good run - we've qualified third with Ryan doing an excellent job at the end. The race strategy will just be to be fast and consistent; the Avon Tires have been good; there's no problems with dirt and sand like we had in Dubai. The Ferrari has shown some speed but we have shown we can be competitive."

Alex Popow (VE), Age 36. Lives: Lecheria, Venezuela:

“This is the best track I have ever been to. It's a very technical drive - you have to be fast, cautious and make no mistakes because there are walls and fences everywhere to catch you out. We have been getting to know the track since we already got to know the car in Dubai and actually we are very happy. Ryan just put the third fastest lap for qualifying which is nice. There are not many cars in the field but it will be a hard 12 hours - there are cars that will be very hard to beat and it will be a long race. We will go for it and as always try and win the race - it will not be easy, but for sure we will give it a shot."

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

“We’ve completed 700kms today, which doesn’t look a huge amount in laps but it’s a long lap around the Yas Marina circuit. There have been a lot of sessions and the Audi has gone absolutely faultlessly which I’m pleased about. After Dubai, we had some electrical parts flown out by Audi and we’ve changed all of those and we certainly haven’t had a problem today or anything showing on the diagnostics data either. All three drivers seem very happy and they’ve all been really quick. If this race had stayed with the event regulations where the aggregate of the three qualifying sessions - as in the three fastest laps by the three drivers averaged out - we would have been on pole comfortably because the three of them are very close and very competitive.

“I think the CN2 cars will be a problem tomorrow but hopefully their extra pit stop penalty will mean that at the end of the race, by our calculations, every six hours they lose two laps with the extra time they have to stay in the pits. They have an extra 45 seconds on each stop they do, which is five stops more than us. It’s a two-class race – a sports-protoype class and a GT class and in an effort to come out with a balance of performance across the two classes, the lighter more downforce sports-protoypes have got a longer pit stop than the GT cars, which hopefully by the end of the race equals itself out.

“It’s a great inaugural event on a fantastic circuit and United Autosports is honored to be here as part of it. The organizers couldn’t be more accommodating, this event is definitely going to get bigger and we’ll be part of it.”

United Autosports Races On To Abu Dhabi With Top Result On The Agenda

2012-01-16T04:17:00.000-08:00

·   Busy team heads for the magical Yas Marina Circuit for inaugural Gulf 12 Hours

·   Dalziel back in action with rapid Venezuelan pair, Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow in Audi R8 LMS

·   United Autosports aiming for top finish in Abu Dhabi

Ryan Dalziel, Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow raced the

#36 United Autosports Audi R8 LMS in Dubai last week and will be out in Abu Dhabi later this week

With scarcely time to rest in between races, the United Autosports team left Dubai and travelled to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for the Gulf 12 Hours, which starts on Thursday, January 19, with one of its Audi R8 LMS GT3 cars for Scotland’s Ryan Dalziel and Venezuelan pair, Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow.

The Leeds-based team will be joined in Abu Dhabi by other race teams from around the world, the event featuring GT2, GT3 and GT4 cars, vehicles from one make series such as the Porsche Cup, FIA CN sports cars and touring cars.

The very first Gulf 12 Hours event – which takes the form of two six-hour races - will begin in daylight and end under the sparkling floodlights, creating the mystical atmosphere which has been made famous by the Formula 1 Grand Prix races in recent years. During the break between races, the teams will have just 40 minutes to work on the cars.

Having set some of the fastest laps during the Dubai 24 Hour race last weekend, Grand Am racer and winner of the prestigious 2010 Rolex 24 Daytona, US-based Dalziel is expected to produce a strong performance for the two races on Friday.

Dalziel’s regular Starworks Motorsport team mates, Potolicchio and Popow, proved to be two of the major finds of the 2011 Grand Am series, and were awarded the SPEED.com Rolex Series "Rookies of the Year" award last year.

All three drove exceptionally well in Dubai, setting fastest times while having their first experience with the rapid Audi R8 LMS, and they have their sights set on a top result at the evocative Yas Marina Circuit. The #36 Audi is sponsored by Duncan Batteries, Taxand and Soloson in Abu Dhabi.

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
“We have arrived in Abu Dhabi and it is the most amazing facility! It is also amazing that as such a young team, United Autosports is competing at an event like this and on back-to-back weekends with the Dubai 24 hours. We have work to do but we are very confident and ready for the challenge.”

Thursday 19th January
09:00 – 09:50   Practice Session 1 (50m)
10:40 – 11:30   Practice Session 2 (50m)
12:00 - 12:25 Qualifying Driver 1 Group A (25m)
12:40 – 13:05   Qualifying Driver 1 Group B (25m)
13:05 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 14:25   Qualifying Driver 2 Group A (25m)
14:40 – 15:05   Qualifying Driver 2 Group B (25m)
15:20 – 15:45   Qualifying Driver 3 Group A (25m)
16:00 - 16:25 Qualifying Driver 3 Group B (25m)
16:40 – 17:05   Qualifying Driver 4 Group A (25m)
17:20 – 17:45   Qualifying Driver 4 Group B (25m)
17:45 – 19:00     Break
19:00 – 19:30   Night Practice Session 1 (30m)
19:45 – 20:00   Night Practice Session 2 (30m)

Friday 20th January
09:30 Race Start (Formation Lap)
15:30 Race 1 End
17:00 Race 2 Start (Formation Lap)
23:00 Race End
(NB: all times local; UK times -4 hours)

United Autosports Bring Both Audis To Finish A Gruelling Dubai 24 Hour Encounter

2012-01-16T01:43:00.000-08:00

·   Ryan Dalziel brings home United Autosports #36 Audi R8 LMS in 19th in dusty Dubai

·   Bell and Dalziel set top six fastest laps of the entire race in 80-car grid

·   United Autosports campaigns the only two Audi R8 LMS cars in the race

Leeds-based United Autosports brought both its Audi R8 LMS GT3 cars – the only Audis on the packed grid - through for a hard-earned finish in Friday and Saturday’s tough Dunlop 24 Hours Dubai, both crews producing some of the fastest laps of the entire race.

In an event which attracted a massive 80-car entry, the scene was set for a high-profile 24 hour race in the hot and dry conditions. It even featured a late sandstorm which made working conditions for everyone at the Dubai Autodrome extremely challenging.

There were several manufacturer teams amongst the entry, including Mercedes and BMW, and many of the leading teams such as Ferrari's AF Corse and Lamborghini's Reiter Engineering. Bernd Schneider, racing for the Mercedes DTM team, and entries from the Lotus/Renault F1 team owners LUX and LOPEZ Racing, as well as a Saudi prince competing, indicated the high calibre of the event.

Scotland’s Ryan Dalziel led his Starworks Motorsport team mates to a hard-fought 19th place finish, and along with Venezuelan duo, Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow, all three pushed the Duncan Batteries, Taxand and Soloson-backed #36 Audi R8 LMS to its limit and ran comfortably inside the top 10. A gearbox change inevitably cost the #36 Audi over an hour and a half in the pits.

In the United Autosports sister car, Matt Bell (UK), Mark Patterson (USA), Frank Yu (HK) and Roger Wills (NZ) looked as if they were on course for an easy top 10 finish until their car too was struck by mechanical gremlins at different times during the round the clock race.

On Thursday, Potolicchio had set the fastest time for the team, the #36 Audi R8 LMS qualifying on the second row to start the seventh running of the Dunlop 24 Hours Dubai in a superb fourth grid position. Meanwhile Patterson snatched the fastest time in the sister #26 car to start seventh.

As the race entered the second half, young Matt Bell produced a series of stunning laps in the Gravity-sponsored Audi, and in the dark hours, the 22-year old was the quickest driver on the track at that time.

Frank Yu had contact with a backmarker in the dark early morning hours, which shot the bonnet up and necessitated another stop to change it and affect other minor repairs from the skirmish. However, later a wishbone failure generated from the earlier contact, required another pit stop and with two hours to the end, it was a question of getting both cars to the finish.

As the 24 hours drew to a close, Dalziel brought the #36 car across the line in 19th place while Wills finished the run for the #26 Audi in 29th.

The team now looks forward to next weekend’s Gulf 12H Abu Dhabi race at the Yas Marina Circuit, where it will be intent on greater reliability and a top finish for the one car entered for the Starworks Motorsport drivers of Dalziel, Potolicchio and Popow.

#26 Audi R8 LMS

Matt Bell (GB), Age 22. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Lives: Barningham, nr Richmond UK:

“Obviously the first call is to finish and you always like to finish as high as you possibly can but we had a lot of problems during the race, and luck wasn't on our side in this one which was a great shame. The guys did a brilliant job to get the car out whenever we had a problem so we were just glad to finish and see the car home. Everybody did brilliantly; all the drivers and I’ve got to say well done to Roger, Frank and Mark. I enjoyed my 24 hours of Dubai and luckily for me most of my stints were trouble-free and when I went out I was able to keep my head down, put in some lap times and try and recuperate the time that we'd lost."

Mark Patterson (USA), Age 60. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, NY, USA:

“When the car was running well everybody felt very, very good. This is a wonderful track, and if you like sand dunes in your living room this is the place to race! I reckon both cars had a good shot at top 10 finishes and if you look at our times in the last two or three hours, with any of our drivers, we were running in the top three for lap times. The cars were good when they went but the errors were more than frustrating. I think on the whole we only had one small contact for Frank but other than that we had clean cars from a contact point of view and very driveable cars.”

Roger Wills (NZ), Age 43. Born: New Zealand. Lives: New Zealand:

“The first 23 hours were great fun but the last hour was very frustrating with this electrical gremlin which kept cutting the power in the car and we just couldn't run at race pace. So we ended up spending a lot of time in the pits for the last hour and just going out and taking the flag at a reduced pace. The rest of it was fantastic and great fun. The car was brilliant but probably with too many issues. At one point I think we got up to about ninth but after that the race kept going away from us and once that happens it's hard to keep making time back. It was still a great weekend and just a shame it didn't run a bit better and get us the result.”

Frank Yu (Hong Kong), Age: 42. Born: Hong Kong. Lives: Hong Kong:

“Finishing the race is important but we had problems basically in all of our pit stops and that wasn't nice but we finished the race and we all had a great time and probably we’ll come back again next year. I had a small accident around five o'clock in the morning. A lot of the drivers are very tired then so they lose concentration. I was going into the hairpin side by side with another car and it turned in on me and my hood went up and I drove it back to the pits to be repaired. The car was phenomenal, the setup was perfect, it was comfortable to drive and I think the Audi has the best lights at night.”

#36 Audi R8 LMS

Ryan Dalziel (GB), Age 29. Born: Glasgow, Scotland UK. Lives: Orlando, FL, USA:

“It's a disappointing result but not through hard work from the guys at United Autosports. We had a really tough 24 hours and, I think, mentally and physically for Enzo, myself and Alex it was really tough. I don't think I've ever done a 24 hour race where we've only had four hours to recover. That was a little bit unique for us, so it was difficult. We just kept fixing the car until we finished in the top 20. We are going to Abu Dhabi next week and hopefully we'll get a better result”

Enzo Potolicchio (VE), Age 43. Lives: Caracas, Venezuela:

"We enjoyed the race; we obviously wanted a better result but we had some issues with electrical problems which were a surprise for such a reliable car. Then we had brake issues but I still think we could have finished seventh or even sixth, but in the end the gearbox gave up and that lost us over an hour and a half and the best we could do was 19th. Still it was good training for just three drivers in a 24 hour race and it was challenging. We're happy that we’ll have a good car for the next race in Abu Dhabi, and we know what it needs to make it reliable again for the 12 hour race."

Alex Popow (VE), Age 36. Lives: Lecheria, Venezuela:

“We were aiming for a top five and we knew we could do it. We had a car with three drivers all doing very similar times. Sadly, there was a problem with the starter and after that at almost every pit stop the car wouldn't start for maybe 10 or 20 minutes and only when it wanted to start. However, we had a good race, the times were very good and the team did a great job. We also had a gearbox issue and they changed the gearbox in a very good time. Racing in Abu Dhabi next week will be a lot different; here you couldn't run faster lap times and our engineer at times told us to slow down and that’s strange and new for us. But it was a good experience here in Dubai and let's hope the team solves all the problems and we have a good race in Abu Dhabi."

Zak Brown, Co-Owner and CEO of United Autosports:

“The result was definitely not what we hoped for but the drivers did a great job when we weren't having issues. The cars were fast; the drivers were fast. You always feel bad for the drivers and team when everybody puts in so much effort to get a result but of course it's always better to have two cars that finish than not, so we did better than some others. However, certainly our expectations were to try and win. We had some electrical gremlins and they were issues that we hadn’t seen before.

“It's a great event; a little disappointing for us but that's racing. We've got Abu Dhabi next week and then we're onto Bathurst so we've got to make sure we're on top of everything, and know how we solve these issues. We want to try and win the race in Abu Dhabi.”

United Autosports Qualify At The Sharp End For Tomorrow’s Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai

2012-01-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

• GRAND-AM stars qualify on the second row in their Audi R8 LMS début

• Solid master plan for both cars paves the way for a strong race

• Strategy plays out in qualifying

Photo: DailySportscar.com

Enzo Potolicchio today set the fastest time for United Autosports’ #36 Audi R8 LMS to qualify on the second row to start tomorrow’s seventh running of the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai in 4th. Mark Patterson went quickest in the sister #26 car to secure seventh.

In the 26 degree celcius heat of the middle-eastern sun drenched circuit, qualifying was divided into a one-hour ‘all-classes’ and a 30-minute session for the faster GT3 cars.

Potolicchio was first out in #36 and held second spot until the eighth lap to set a time of 2.03.881 to top the timesheet. When handing over to Alex Popow with 30 minutes to go, #36 remained at the top until Niki Cadei went quicker in his #2 Ferrari 458 with fifteen minutes remaining on the clock.

The team opted to sit #36 out of the second qualifying session, feeling its already strong qualifying time was sufficient. It would then go on to secure fourth place at the flag.

Roger Wills headed out first of all in the #26 Audi R8 LMS before handing over to Frank Yu and subsequently Mark Patterson who would go on to set the car’s fastest lap of 2.04.497, a time equaled by young star driver Matt Bell during a remarkable performance on old tires in the following night session.

Photo: DailySportscar.com

Car #26 Audi R8 LMS

Matt Bell (GB) Age: 22. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, GB. Lives: Barningham, North Yorks, GB:

“I haven’t done a great deal today [in the car]; today’s been about getting the other guys comfortable in the car and they’ve all been doing some pretty good lap times.

“We’ve also been working on our race setup. We weren’t too worried about qualifying, we’re actually pretty happy with 7th as we have a good race car for the duration of the 24 hour race.”

Mark Patterson (SA) Age 60. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, NY, USA:

“We’ve been running over two hours on a set of tires and still doing top-ten times against people with new tires so we can easily double stint them.

“We just need to keep the lap times consistent. The car feels great - we’re fired up; we’re going to win this thing – watch us!”

Roger Wills (NZ) Age 43. Born: New Zealand. Lives: New Zealand:

“I only got a lap and a half in the first session this morning so it was nice to get out in the second session, get a good run and I settled in pretty quickly. For my first time in the car and my first time out in Dubai, it all went pretty well.

“I was the first out for qualifying and had a reasonable run on fresh tires. Combining my three best sectors, I’m happy with the job I did.”

Frank Yu (HK), Age: 42. Born: Hong Kong. Lives: Hong Kong:

“Testing this morning was good, just getting back onto the pace. The second session was quicker for me – I’m eager to get back into the car and do more laps!

“Traffic is a bit of a problem because they come in a chain – 20 cars all bunched up together so it can be really tough to get some real laps in. But I’m feeling good, the boys have done a great job, car’s setup is great – everything I expected from United Autosports.”

Photo: DailySportscar.com

Car #36 Audi R8 LMS

Ryan Dalziel (GB). Age 29. Born: Glasgow, Scotland UK. Lives: Orlando, FL, USA:

“We had a good qualifying session after struggling a little bit in yesterday’s test - familiarizing ourselves with the track and the car’s very different to the Daytona Prototype we typically drive.

“Today’s been a great day though. United Autosports have made us feel really welcome and have given us a great Audi R8 for us to drive. We’re all looking forward to the race.”

Alex Popow (VE). Age 36. Lives: Lecheria, Venezuela:

“This race is going to be all about strategy – we are going to really go for it and try to win it for sure. I think we can have the pace but we also need to avoid any problems on the track.

“We have a good car to run consistently with the times we were doing. We have been adjusting the car to suit all three of our driving styles and right now we got it. We just need to keep it like that, enjoy it and have a good time!

Enzo Potolicchio (VE). Age 43. Lives: Caracas, Venezuela:

“We are having a lot of fun here, qualified fourth and tomorrow we have a very long race with three drivers – so we will be driving a lot, but we are really happy with the experience.

“If we avoid traffic, as that’s the main thing here, we will have a good result. We made some changes to the car from yesterday’s test and it feels really fast and comfortable to drive now.”

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

“We had a difficult day yesterday with the #26 car having a power steering issue that took a little bit of solving but I’m delighted with the team who made a huge effort and today both cars ran faultlessly.

“We’ve been bang on the pace and been able to do whatever time we’ve needed to do to remain in the top ten – it’s very rare you can say that when there’s 75 cars out there so it’s all positive right now and very happy.”

Blundell Joins United Autosports for 2012 Blancpain Pro / Am Title Bid

2012-01-12T03:19:00.000-08:00

· Former McLaren Formula 1 ace and Le Mans 24 hour winner Mark Blundell spearheads team’s Pro/Am entry

· Experienced duo, Zak Brown and Mark Patterson, form strong United Autosports Pro/Am line-up with Blundell

· McLaren MP4-12C GT3 supercar for the team’s third season in GT racing

Mark Blundell joins United Autosports for a full season's racing in 2012

Former Formula 1 driver and Indy car race winner, Mark Blundell (UK) joins the Anglo-American United Autosports team to spearhead the Pro/Am crew in the six-round 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series in his first full-time racing commitment since finishing his Indy car career.

Together with experienced racers, Zak Brown (USA) and Mark Patterson (USA), Blundell will pilot the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 for a full-time attack in the #23 car in the prestigious series.

Blundell has raced with the team on several occasions - taking third at the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2010 and fourth in last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. However 2012 will see the former Brabham-Yamaha (1991), Ligier-Renault (1993), Tyrrell-Yamaha (1994), McLaren-Mercedes (1995) Formula 1 driver contest the entire Blancpain Series.

Mark will share the McLaren cockpit with United Autosports team co-owner American Zak Brown, who has become a regular sportscar racer, and US-domiciled South African, Mark Patterson, thus producing a formidable squad in the European series.

Brown and Patterson took a fighting second place in the United Autosports LMP2 car at Petit Le Mans in 2011. Patterson has been a mainstay of the team since its inception in 2009, helping to establish the team as a major force in GT and sportscars.

Brown and Patterson established their long distance credentials for the team at the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours just 12 months ago when they finished fourth overall with Blundell and Martin Brundle also in the squad. In that prestigious race the quartet challenged for the lead throughout the 24 hours and finished the race on the lead lap with the top four cars covered by less than four seconds.

The Blancpain Endurance Series events, which will be known as Blancpain Race Weekends with a full support race programme, features races on five of Europe’s most prestigious circuits, with a sixth round in October to be announced. The SRO Motorsports Group- organized championship includes races on some of the most classic European tracks with the highlights being the Total 24 Hours of Spa at the end of July, and 3-hour races at Monza, Silverstone, Paul Ricard and new addition to the calendar, the Nürburgring in September.

The 2012 season kicks off in April, as it did last year, with a 3-hour race at the home of the Italian Grand Prix, Monza. Round 2 takes place at Silverstone for another 3-hour race on the grand prix circuit with the series moving to Paul Ricard in the South of France at the start of July.

Anglo-American team United Autosports, which is co-owned by American Zak Brown and Briton, Richard Dean, enters its third season of GT racing in 2012, which will take the team around the world as it aims to win its first major title in sportscar racing.

Mark Blundell, Zak Brown and Mark Patterson will pilot the #23 McLaren MP4-12C GT3

in the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series

2012 Blancpain Endurance Series Calendar

Round 1: April 14 – 15, Monza, Italy
Round 2: June 2 – 3, Silverstone, UK
Round 3: June 29 – July 1, Paul Ricard, France
Round 4: July 25 – 29, Total 24 Hours of Spa, Belgium
Round 5: September 22 – 23, Nürburgring, Germany
Round 6: October, TBC

Mark Blundell (GB), Age 45. Born: Barnet,UK. Lives: Royston, UK:

“I'm excited and very happy to be racing with United Autosports. It will be my first full season in a championship since 2000 and to be with this team makes that extra special because of the people involved. I think my experience will help with the development of the car and team, and I showed both my pace and calmness in endurance events in Daytona last year. The McLaren MP4-12C is a great looking car and with the resources and support from one of the best F1 teams in history, I feel we have great things ahead of us. My favourite circuit still has to be Spa with Monza close behind; both wonderful driver tracks.

“I have huge respect for both Mark Patterson, who’s a proven driver in his own right and Zak Brown, who applies himself with focus and commitment. But we are a team and that's what I like about sportscar racing. I can tell you we will be no less hungry to win on our side of the garage than our team mates or anyone else in the pit lane, and the desire, the competitive edge and the people involved with United Autosports are the ingredients which have brought me back into a full championship. Within a short space of time United Autosports has made a name in racing and I sincerely hope we can take that to another level over this season. Richard Dean and Zak Brown’s vision is to be applauded.”

Zak Brown (USA), Age 40. Born: Los Angeles, California, USA. Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:

“We've competed in the Spa 24 Hour race – a round of the Blancpain Endurance Series - so we know we are entering the most competitive GT series in the world and are very excited about it! The new McLaren looks fantastic and I just took delivery of the road car, which is mega; knowing that is the foundation of the racecar is very exciting. Spa has to be my favorite circuit as it is for so many drivers; the different types of challenging and fast corners, combined with the elevation and usual tricky weather, makes it one of the best tracks in the world.

“I'm really looking forward to driving with the "Marks", and of course I've been team mates with both of them now for a handful of races and we've had success together. Patterson is a great driver and as fast and reliable as anyone on the grid, while it’s a great privilege and vote of confidence to both our team and me as a driver that Blundell would come out of retirement to race with us full time. I'm sure Mark wouldn't be racing with us if he didn't think he would be in a position to win races. We have all the equipment and drivers needed to win races and that's our goal for 2012.”

Mark Patterson (SA), Age 60. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, NY, USA:

“Racing is all about skill, reliable equipment and comfort with the team. Going into our third year is an exciting prospect with team members and owners I respect and admire. There's a top flight sense of dedication and an eye for detail that United Autosports exudes, which is very reassuring for a driver. Sprint races are intense, but I love almost any type of endurance racing. Three hours is about the shortest endurance race there is, but it increases that element of inter-dependency among drivers and racecar over a greater span of time, and that added pressure elevates the weekend's experience. That element, plus the world class selection of tracks; hard to beat.

“Although I have not met the United Autosports McLaren MP4-12C, we have ambitious hopes for our performance and results this year. SRO runs a first rate operation and the blend of pure pro teams and pro-am teams in the same race, deploying a full grid of wonderful cars, should make for unbelievable racing. Of our three-man line-up, we've all had experience on all tracks, though I have yet to run on the mighty German lanes. Spa is hard to beat, cradled in the undulating hills of dense Belgian forests with their predictably unpredictable weather conditions!”

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

“United Autosports really means business this year and we aim to be the team that everyone’s talking about, not just because we have an exciting and first-class line-up of drivers, but also as we have moved up a gear in every respect. Every member of the team has a unified goal and in 2012, that is to win a major title. We’ve spent the previous two years setting up the team and moving towards that goal; this year we want to achieve it.

“We are thrilled that we have a new partner in McLaren for the Blancpain Endurance Series and the team intends to work hand in glove with this historic team to produce outstanding performances in the series. The championship visits some of the most historic race tracks in Europe with Spa and Monza, and none more so than our ‘home’ circuit at Silverstone. The two “Marks” and Zak have raced together before and I have no doubt they will prove a major force to be reckoned with.”

Unveiled: The United Autosports McLaren in Live Action At Autosports International Show

2012-01-10T01:59:00.000-08:00

· Anglo-American team first to demonstrate its McLaren MP4-12C in public

· All-new United Autosports McLaren in Live Action Arena pit stop demonstration

· First chance to see awesome GT supercar in close up action with Irishman Tim Mullen at the wheel

United Autosports' McLaren MP4-12C GT3 at Macau in November

While Anglo-American team United Autosports competes in the Dunlop 24H Dubai with its two Audi R8 LMS GT3 cars this week, thousands of miles away back in the UK, the Leeds-based team will be the first to put its McLaren MP4-12C GT car through its paces at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham’s NEC from Thursday, January 12 until Sunday, January 15.

Ulsterman Tim Mullen has been given the awesome task of not only demonstrating the McLaren supercar at the UK’s largest tri-oval indoor race track in the Live Action Arena, but he will give the car its first ever pit stop and tyre change in front of a bumper audience.

The Live Action Arena is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the four-day show and is located within the biggest hall of the NEC (Hall 5). The track with a 4700-seat grandstand, allows the audience to see an array of motor racing action, from 70 different racing cars; plus record-breaking stunts and celebrity appearances.

There is only one performance per day during the exclusive trade-only days on Thursday and Friday but the show-stopping McLaren MP4-12C GT will feature on track no less than five times each day on Saturday and Sunday. Live Action starts at the following times with the fabulous United Autosports McLaren appearing approximately 40 minutes after each start time:

Thursday/ Friday, 12^th/13th January 2012 – 14:00

Saturday/Sunday, 14^th/15^th January 2012 – 09:30; 11:00; 12:30; 14:00; 15:30

Tickets for the Autosport international Show are available from www.autosportinternational.com

Starworks Motorsport Drivers Team Up With United Autosports For Winter GT Races

2011-12-22T06:14:00.000-08:00

Daytona 24 Hours winner Ryan Dalziel heads team trio for United Autosports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Venezuelan pair joins Dalziel in championship-winning Audi R8 LMS
United Autosports announce second #36 car for Middle Eastern endurance races

Scottish Grand Am racer and winner of the prestigious 2010 Rolex 24 Daytona, Ryan Dalziel, spearheads a trio of prominent GT drivers in the United Autosports second car for the two New Year endurance races in the Dunlop 24 Dubai (January 12-14) and the Gulf 12 Hours at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi (January 20).

One of Scotland’s leading professional drivers, 29-year old Dalziel has earned many podium finishes in both the American Le Mans Series and Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. In 2011 he completed a full season in Grand Am and selected races in ALMS, with a victory in the Grand Am Rolex season finalé at Mid Ohio and a second placing in the Sebring 12H being the highlights of the season.

Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow both made their series’ débuts in January’s Rolex 24 Daytona with the Starworks Motorsports team, the Venezuelan duo proving to be one of the surprise stories of the 2011 Grand Am series.

Popow and Dalziel teamed up for a third place finish at Watkins Glen in August, following an impressive opening stint by the 36-year-old Venezuelan which saw him battle for a top three placing overall. Then Potolicchio and Dalziel took a maiden victory for Starworks in the final race of the season at Mid-Ohio, when Potolicchio performed double duty between both of the team’s Rileys. As a result of their superb inaugural season, SPEED.com awarded the duo Rolex Series "Rookies of the Year" for 2011.

In addition, both drivers wound up victorious in other championships in which they competed alongside their Rolex Series campaigns. Popow was crowned Seat Leon Supercup Mexico champion, while finishing third in the Latin America Challenge Formula 2000 Championship as well. Potolicchio, meanwhile, earned his second consecutive Ferrari Challenge North America championship.

The three drivers bring their sponsors to the Middle East endurance races, in which they all compete for the first time. The #36 Audi R8 LMS will be in the livery of Duncan Batteries, Taxand and Soloson in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Entering its third season of GT racing, the Leeds-based Anglo-American team - co-owned by American Zak Brown and Briton, Richard Dean - has a busy and exciting 2012 schedule ahead of it as it bids for victory in its first Middle East foray.

Ryan Dalziel (GB). Age 29. Born: Glasgow, Scotland UK. Lives: Orlando, FL, USA:

“I am really excited about racing with United Autosports in these two amazing endurance races. I raced twice in Dubai back in ‘95 and ‘96, for the 24H of Dubai Go-Kart race, winning the event in ’95 and I’ve been hoping for the opportunity to go back ever since. I saw how professional the United Autosports team was when they raced in Grand Am last season and I know Richard Dean from my early years back in the late 90s racing in the UK. I already know we will be contenders for the victory, and Enzo and Alex have worked really hard in the past few months to make this happen and I am hugely grateful to them. We thought it would be great preparation for us to get these two endurance events under our belt before the Rolex 24 at Daytona the week after Abu Dhabi. Driving the Audi R8 LMS will be a first for all of us but Audi is no stranger to endurance success so we expect great things.”

Enzo Potolicchio (VE). Age 43. Lives: Caracas, Venezuela:

"I am really happy to make this deal happen for Alex, Ryan and myself. Alex and I have been working very hard with our sponsors over the past few months to add these amazing races to our already intense 2012 racing commitments. I have been a big admirer of Zak Brown and United Autosports since its creation and am honored to be able to field a car with my two friends and team mates. I have watched Formula 1 on these tracks and they look breath-taking. We are going there to try to get a victory but we want to have fun with our new challenge also."

Alex Popow (VE). Age 36. Lives: Lecheria, Venezuela:

“Racing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is going to be very exciting and it will be a very busy month for the three of us. After Rolex Daytona testing from January on 6-8, we will fly to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the two races, then return to the USA on January 22 for the Rolex 24 at Daytona that coming weekend. We are doing everything possible to push our performances to the next level and I believe this opportunity with United Autosports, driving the Audi R8 LMS, is the perfect warm up for our 2012 season."

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

“I have known Ryan for a long time and he was a fierce competitor when he was younger racing in Vauxhall Junior on the British Touring car package. He always gave us a hard time but we've always admired his ability and he was always fast and fair. Recently I have been watching his progress out in America where he's made quite a name for himself. Although I don't know much about Alex and Enzo, they have been performing strongly in the Grand Am series where United Autosports saw their ability from close quarters when we competed against them in the 2011 Rolex Daytona 24 hours. I believe Ryan set the fastest unofficial time for a GrandAm car in free practice at the same event, so I am looking forward to actually working on the same team as Ryan this time and not trying to beat him!”

How Do They Do It? United Autosports Drivers

2011-12-05T12:33:00.000-08:00

Click here to check out the latest season of How Do They Do It and learn more about United Autosports Drivers.

United Autosports Quartet Announced For Dubai 24 Hour Enduro

2011-12-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

Young British hotshot and BRDC Rising Star Matt Bell makes Dubai debut
Quality four man line-up in race-winning Audi R8 LMS
Multi-national drivers in Anglo-American team
Experience is key ingredient for United Autosports inaugural Dubai visit

Above: Matt Bell and Mark Patterson raced for the team at the Total 24 Hours of Spa earlier this year
United Autosports has assembled a class quartet of GT racers for its first attempt to win the seventh running of the Dunlop 24H Dubai, which kicks off the new 2012 season on January 12 – 14. Talented young United Autosports regular driver, Matt Bell (GB) will be one of four racing the team's #26 Audi R8 LMS GT3 at the Dubai Autodrome.
The 22-year old BRDC Rising Star will be pitted alongside US-based South African Mark Patterson (USA), Hong Kong's Frank Yu (HK) and newcomer to the United Autosports team, New Zealander Roger Wills (NZ), this trio bringing a wealth of endurance ability and racing experience to the Middle East race.
The Anglo-American team, based in Leeds, has a truly international line-up of drivers for its 2012 season opener and first visit to Dubai for the start the endurance racing year. United Autosports will be pitted against the best competition of more than 80 entries of GTs, touring cars and 24H Specials.
There has been no slowing down over the winter for the team, which is co-owned by American, Zak Brown and Briton, Richard Dean, and December has proved to be as busy as the rest of the year as the team prepares for the full schedule of races planned for next year, starting with the trio of races in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bathurst.
These events will give the young team valuable experience before it begins its third season in the Blancpain Endurance Series and the British GT Championship.
On Thursday, January 12, there will be two free practice sessions followed by qualifying, partly split up into various classes. There will be two hours of night practice on Thursday evening before the race starts on Friday, January 13, at 14.00 (local time) and will end 24 hours later.
As well as Radio Le Mans reporting live on the event for the first time, Motors TV will again be covering this international event.
Provisional Timetable:
Thursday 12 January 2012
11:30 – 12:15 Dunlop 24H Dubai Free Practice 1
13:15 – 14:45 Dunlop 24H Dubai Free Practice 2
15:00 – 16:00 Dunlop 24H Dubai Qualification All Classes
16:15 – 16:45 Dunlop 24H Dubai Qualification Class A1 up to A5, D1, D2, A3T
17:00 – 17:30 Dunlop 24H Dubai Qualification Class A6, SP2-GT3A, SP3-GT4A, 997
18:00 – 20:00 Dunlop 24H Dubai Night Practice
Friday 13 January 2012
10:30 – 11:00 Dunlop 24H Dubai Warm up
12:00 – 13:00 Break including Pit Road Walkabout
13.00 Start grid of the Dunlop 24H Dubai
14:00 hours Start of the Dunlop 24H Dubai
Saturday 14 January 2012
14:00 Finish of the Dunlop 24H Dubai

Above: Frank Yu drove a United Autosports Audi R8 LMS at Zhuhai in 2010's Intercontinental Le Mans Cup race
Matt Bell (GB), Age 22. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Lives: Barningham, nr Richmond UK.
"I've never raced in Dubai before but from what I've seen on videos it looks like a very good circuit. I'm very excited about racing in the Dubai 24H and although the race only has a short history, you can tell it has gathered huge prestige in recent years by looking at the extremely competitive entry list. It is also a great way to interrupt the winter break with some racing, which will be very beneficial during the European pre-season testing period that follows in February and March. As we were front runners all year in the British GT series, I am confident the Audi R8 LMS will be very competitive in the race, and in Dubai everyone runs the same Dunlop tyres, so I expect to be challenging the top guys."
Mark Patterson (US), Age 59. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, NY, USA
"I've been fortunate enough to race on a dozen current and previous F1 tracks around the world, including Spa, Shanghai, Montreal, Indianapolis and Silverstone, etc, so racing at a few more simply adds to the palette of experiences as well as being able to enjoy an endurance race on tracks such as these. As there are multiple classes in this race, keeping the car clean and fast are the two primary goals. We have a great line up of drivers with tons of endurance racing experience, so I know we'll all aim to bring the Audi home near the front. Matt is an unbelievably good young up-and-coming British pro racing talent and we shared an Audi at the Spa 24 Hours this year and both were happy with our competitive lap times. United Autosports and I have had a very exciting and rewarding two year relationship that will spill into 2012 as well. They are great team owners and always the neatest most professional outfit on the grid."
Frank Yu (HK), Age: 42. Born: Hong Kong. Lives: Hong Kong
"I competed in the Dubai 24H in 2010 with Richard as my team mate. I like the track layout, but I dislike the dust, which makes the corner's grip level sometimes unpredictable. The atmosphere in Dubai is great and the 80 plus car grid is amazing. The Audi has done a number of endurance races all over the world with proven reliability and good results so I'm quite confident the car will do well. United Autosports is a very professional team, the crew members are great to work with and Richard is a good leader and friend. I can't wait to be there."
Roger Wills (NZ), Age 43. Born: New Zealand. Lives: New Zealand
"As this is my first time racing at Dubai, I'll have to book some time on the simulator to learn the circuit before going out there. This is also my first race in the Audi A8 LMS, having previously competed in an Aston Martin, Ferraris and the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 to date. The Audi seems like a really well-developed car, always runs well and I'm excited about the chance to race it. I've only met Matt Bell previously as I have driven with his brother Rob in the McLaren, but all the guys bring a lot of experience so I'm really looking forward to racing with them.
"I'm a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust which does amazing work for young people with cancer, and I will run their logos on my suit and on the car to give them some exposure. I did my first endurance race at Spa in 2010, but I'm pleased to be racing with United Autosports this time as they've really impressed me. The cars are always incredibly well-prepared and run, and the whole team exudes professionalism. They also seem to be a team that looks like they're having a lot of fun. Being a hobby for me, not a job, these are all important characteristics for a team. I'm really excited about joining them and hope this will be the start of a longer relationship with the team."
Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"Although I raced myself in Dubai in 2010, it's the first time the team has competed in the Middle East. We're just two years old as a team and we're branching out into yet another continent. It feels quite a privilege to be able to take part in these high-profile races across the world after such a short time.
"This line-up we're taking to Dubai gives us a great combination of youth and experience. Matt Bell is fast, there is no doubt about that, but his 24 hour experience is limited to just Spa in 2011. I have ultimate faith in Matt every time he gets in the car. I shared a car with Frank in the 2010 Dubai 24 hour race and I wouldn't hesitate to sit alongside Frank in any long distance race anywhere in the world. Mark has been with the team for two years and he's the ideal guy in a long distance race because he is quick, dependable and supremely consistent. Mark as a character also brings something unique to the team and the guys love working with him. It's Roger first race with the team but we've raced against him at the Spa 24 for two years; he won his class in 2010 and finished in the McLaren's début in 2011. For a non-professional driver who has spent most of his life concentrating on his business, he's clearly now a very serious racing driver. He's never seems to be out of a car, he comes highly recommended and I'm looking forward to working with him."
- ENDS -
For immediate release:
5th December 2011
For further information please contact:
Linda Keen
Press Officer
United Autosports
T: +44 1424 250840
M: +44 7745 121790
Email: linda@unitedautosports.com
Skype: lindakeen
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports Bids For British GT Crown

2011-11-29T09:52:00.000-08:00

United Autosports returns to British GT for second season with updated Audi R8 LMS GT3 car
Ambitious Leeds-based team focuses on British Championship title with proven race and championship-winning Audi R8 LMS
Exclusive two-day Monza test scheduled for February 2012

Leeds-based United Autosports plans to campaign an Audi R8 LMS sportscar in the 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship in a bid to take the title it so narrowly missed out on this year.
The team was one of the front-running outfits in 2011, having taken several pole positions and led the championship for majority of the season with drivers Matt Bell (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK) and Mike Guasch (Palo Alto, CA).
Co-owned by American, Zak Brown and Briton, Richard Dean, the United Autosports team - having already finalised its plans to contest the Blancpain Endurance Series - has turned its attention to running a second program in the British GT Championship with the Audi R8 LMS sportscar. With the sole intention of taking the 2012 title, the young team is putting together a comprehensive package for the best line-up of winning drivers available to it.
The Audi R8 LMS is one of the most successful GT cars in the history of the sport, having taken over 100 race wins to date, and already the Anglo-American team has confirmed one Audi R8 LMS entry with the series organisers for next year’s British GT series with the intention of adding a second for the right driver combination. The United Autosports car will be the latest 2012 specification, the Audi R8 having conquered the opposition with recent dominant performances and victories in the 2011 Spa 24 hours, Blancpain Endurance Series and Macau GT race.
Organiser, SRO Motorsports Group, has a seven-meeting calendar scheduled for 2012 featuring the UK’s best circuits, Oulton Park, Rockingham, Snetterton and the Grand Prix circuits of Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donington Park. The 2012 overseas round, meanwhile, will take place on the German Grand Prix circuit at the Nürburgring. Once again SRO is repeating the successful mix of one, two and three-hour races for next season’s Avon Tyres British GT Championship.
Entering its third season of GT racing, United Autosports has already achieved over and above all expectations in 2011, and next year the team has its sights firmly set on its first major GT sportscar title.

Zak Brown (USA), Co-Owner and CEO of United Autosports:
"It's great to be back in British GT with Audi. We were very successful in 2011 winning our first race and being a contender for the championship throughout the season. We have high expectations for 2012 and hope to continue our winning form."
Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"We firmed up our Blancpain Endurance Series team and driver line-up a couple of weeks ago with the McLaren MP4-12C, and have now decided to keep two of our three Audi R8 LMS cars. This was having considered how the Audi took a major performance leap forward with its recent Blancpain series updates. We have the capacity to run a second program as we did in 2011 and although for us, this is a late decision, we have plenty of time to work through our driver line-up options. We have an exclusive two-day test at Monza in early February and I expect everything to be in place by that time."
Provisional calendar 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship
07-09 Apr: Oulton Park
TBA: Nürburgring GP
26/27 May: Rockingham
23/24 Jun: Brands Hatch GP
04/05 Aug: Snetterton 300
08/09 Sep: Silverstone GP
29/30 Sep: Donington Park GP
All dates and circuits are provisional and subject to change
- ENDS -
For immediate release:
29th November 2011
Interested drivers with budget should contact Richard Dean: Richard@Unitedautosports.com
Or for further information please contact:
Linda Keen
Press Officer
United Autosports
T: +44 1424 250840
M: +44 7745 121790
Email: linda@unitedautosports.com
Skype: lindakeen
www.unitedautosports.com

Watts and United Autosports Bring McLaren Home for Superb Podium in Macau

2011-11-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

§ Wattstakes fantastic third in McLaren’s Macau début

§ Meinsfinishes in fine seventh after race-long battle in Audi R8 LMS

§ UnitedAutosports scores first podium with McLaren in Macau and ends 2011 season on ahigh

Britain’s Danny Watts (Thornborough), broughtthe stunning GR Asia-sponsored McLaren MP4-12C GT3 home for a superb thirdplace in Macau on Sunday in a race of attrition and confusion, while RichardMeins gained a place from his grid start to take the closest possible seventhin the United Autosports Audi A8 LMS.

Scheduled for 12 laps, the Star River –Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup race was abruptly halted on the third lap after amassive accident at Mandarin involving Frank Yu’s Ford GT, Eddie Yau (Porsche911) and John Shen (FerrariF430 GT) with Yuk Lung Siu spinning hisLamborghini Gallardo to avoid the mêlée. The whole crash had been set off by Akihiro Tsuzuki’s Audi, which had dumped oil on the track at Mandarin.

There was a lengthy delay of over anhour as the organisers cleared the wreckage but this gave the United Autosportsteam a chance to check the brakes and ABS issue on Watts’ GR Asia-sponsoredMcLaren.

To add to the confusion, the restart wasoriginally scheduled for seven laps but as the cars moved away from the grid,the restart was run under the safety car for two laps with only five laps ofracing under the green flags.

Italian Edoardo Mortara soared away inthe factory Audi A8 LMS, just as he had before the stoppage, leaving Watts toargue over second with Japan’s Keita Sawa (Lamborghini LP-560). The pair foughttooth and nail over the narrow track and on the fifth lap, the McLaren wasclimbing all over the Lamborghini trying to find a way by.

Meanwhile Hong Kong-based Briton, Meinswas having his own battle with Tomonobu Fujii (Aston Martin DBRS9) and Weng SunMok (Ferrari F458), the trio circulating the twisty street circuit bumper tobumper for the remaining laps.

Another accident on lap seven wasnarrowly averted after two spinners blocked the track but managed to get goingagain without being collected, as the leaders continued their relentless paceat the front.

With two lapsremaining, Mortara continued stretching his lead while Sawa and Watts werecomfortable in the podium positions. The British driver was a further 10 secondsahead of fourth place Rodolfo Avila’s Porsche 911, ultimately giving theMcLaren a great third place on its first visit to the Guai Circuit and Watts’10^th anniversary race in Macau.

Meinsheld on for a superb seventh place, a mere 0.318 seconds behind his race-longrival, Mok, Richard having found that overtaking the Ferrari in the timeremaining was just not possible, but still managed to set his fastest lap of the race inthe process of hunting down the man in front.

It was an excellent result for theyoung United Autosports team to end the 2011 season, and the Leeds-based Anglo-Americansportscar outfit now sets its sights on 2012 and the winter GT Endurance racesin Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bathurst.

DannyWatts (GB). Age 31. Born: Aylesbury,UK. Lives: Thornborough, nr Buckingham, GB

“I’m very happy with third for the first time here with the McLaren. We’velearned a huge amount this weekend, developed it and moved it forwardthroughout the whole four days, so to get a podium on its début is just fantasticand I thoroughly enjoyed it. Every year the standard gets higher and higher,the drivers turn up in better cars all the time, and it’s fantastic for thecategory that twice Macau Formula 3 winner and works DTM driver, Edoardo Montara, turns up in his Audi. Youhave to be on your toes, and I think collectively as a team, we did a great joball weekend.

“At any normal circuit braking issues wouldn’t be so much of a problem becauseyou’ve got plenty of run off, but in Macau, you want to have confidence in yourbrake pedal because the track’s lined by barriers and if you out-brake yourselfby two metres you hit the wall. So unfortunately I had to bring my brakingpoint back a little bit, which meant we lost a little bit of time, but apartfrom that the car’s handling was excellent, really responsive, good traction,great rear end, and overall the car was really strong.”

Richard Meins (GB). Age 56. Born: Beckenham, UK. Lives: Stanley, Hong Kong.

“That was brilliantand I must say I really enjoyed the race. Obviously we had a long stop becauseof the big accident, which was a bit unfortunate. The car was great and I gotthe pace I thought I should have got yesterday - three seconds faster than I’dbeen round here before - so I’m extremely happy.

“The guys at the frontwere good and you have to be quick through Mandarin to overtake and I wasn’treally going to do that because it was pretty messy there. The Ford GT went offjust in front of me and the other Audi - with the Japanese driver - the backcaught fire, there was loads of oil coming out and that was just beforeMandarin. I was behind so I could see it and backed right off. Frank Yu wasslightly in front of me and when I got round Mandarin there was Frank facingthe other way and hurtling towards the right hand side barrier. My next concernwas which way is he going to go? Anyway, I missed him as he shot in front ofme. I guess everybody else was so far behind they hadn’t seen it happen andthen it was complete carnage. It’s Macau; you don’t have small accidents here.I feel sorry for those other guys as there was a lot of damage, but it youfinish Macau and the car’s in shape and you’ve done okay, then you should behappy really.”

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

“It’s a shame the race was in two halves with a big accident, butthankfully everybody was okay. It just shows what can happen around Macau. Toget two cars back in one piece and running well compared to some of the carsthat were coming back is a relief. Danny was driving well within himself butthere were not enough laps after the red flag to really challenge. This McLaren development car wasdelivered to us on the day it flew to Asia, so we had very little time to getto know it. The fact it came here and ran trouble free is a tribute to McLarenGT and I’m really excited United Autosports have achieved a first podium withthe car, which really bodes well for the future. There is so much potential inthe car; I can’t wait to get my hands on the new definitive 2012 customerversion!

“Richard drove verywell in the Audi; very good judgement and luck to miss the accident but hecertainly got himself through there. He was fastest at the restart, set hisfastest lap of the race by quite a long way, and if the track had been wider ora few more laps he’d definitely have made up another place. I’m pleased forRichard and thought he drove exceptionally well. This Audi now heads to Dubaifor the 24 Hours in January and then a little tour of the Middle East andAustralia.”

WATTS IN McLAREN DÉBUT SNATCHES THIRD IN TIGHT MACAU QUALIFYING

2011-11-19T08:33:00.000-08:00

§ Britain’sDanny Watts grabs third despite heavy traffic and red flags

§ RichardMeins brings Audi R8 LMS through to eighth

§ UnitedAutosports gain valuable experience, time and data with the McLaren MP4-12C GT3development car

Britain’sDanny Watts (Thornborough) débuted the magnificent McLarenMP4-12C GT3 in Macau on Thursday and then drove the GR Asia-backed developmentcar to a fine third overall qualifying position today despite heavy traffic onthe tight, twisty circuit and red flags which halted proceedings mid-way.

FellowBrit, Hong Kong-based Richard Meins brought the United Autosports Audi R8 LMSGT3 through to a confidence-boosting eighth place on the grid, despite a lossof front aerodynamics after a brush with the wall during pre-qualifying onFriday.

Onthe whole it was a very satisfactory qualifying performance for the Leeds-basedAnglo-American team returning to Macau for only its second visit, and the firstwith the McLaren MP4-12C development car, which was making itsattention-grabbing inaugural appearance at the Guia Circuit.

Sponsoredby GR Asia, the two cars and drivers – both of whom were racing at Macau forthe 10^th year - had their first run on an unusually wet track onThursday in practice but neither driver was pushing too hard in the dampconditions and heavy traffic.

However,the track was dry for yesterday’s pre-qualifying run and both Watts and Meinswere running well until the session was red-flagged half way through due to anaccident at Mandarin. Meins had good track position, getting out in front ofthe pack until he spun at the final corner and glanced the barrier with hisfront bumper. He was able to continue and still managed a creditable seventhfastest time overall.

Wattswas less fortunate at the re-start and had to endure heavy traffic leaving thepits and was therefore baulked extensively.

Today’s qualifying session proved to bea major challenge for both United Autosports drivers to get a clean run, andwith only 20 minutes to set a time, there was onlyenough time for one flying lap before the red flags came out for Hong Kong’s SamsonChan in the Ford GT3, who crashed into the wall at Dona Maria Bend.

At thispoint Watts and Meins were holding third and seventh respectively, but therewas only 13 minutes on the clock, and when another spinner brought out theyellow flags, the GR Asia-backed drivers were prevented from making any furtherprogress. A ‘long’ brake pedal in the McLaren hampered Watts further and then astricken Ginetta G50 spoiled a third potentially quick lap when the yellowflags came out again, at which point, Watts chose to return to the pits with 25seconds remaining in order to save his tyres.

Meinsmeanwhile, was also baulked by heavy traffic and thus ended the session bumpeddown to eighth on the last lap by Japan’s Tomonobu Fujii in an Aston MartinDBRS9.

Thatleaves it all to play for in tomorrow’s race which starts at 9.00am local timefor the Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup, which will be a 12-lapcounter around the 3.8-milelap circuit.

Provisional Timetable (all timesare local):

Sunday 20 November - 09.00 – 10.00 StarRiver-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Race, 12 Laps

DannyWatts (GB). Age 31. Born: Aylesbury,UK. Lives: Thornborough, nr Buckingham, GB

“I’m not disappointed with third; obviously I wanted to be on poleposition for the race, which is the best place to start round here as there’slimited overtaking opportunities. It’s a very tight and twisty circuit, soqualifying is everything, but the biggest thing I’m disappointed with is thesize of the gap - it’s over four seconds - to Mortara on pole position! I’mvery close to Japan’s Keita Sawa, who is second, and I think he and I will havea good race tomorrow. Mortara is excellent around here anyway; he’s won theFormula 3 race twice and he’s a top quality driver, but certainly not fourseconds quicker.

“I think that’s about the maximum I could go with the car without doinganything silly. We’ve got a little bit to find but to be fair the car does feelquite good. I had a long brake pedal towards the end but it’s my favouritecircuit and I really enjoyed it. It’s always the same at Macau with crashes soyou need to find a clear lap; that is key. There was a red flag in the sessionand a bit of cement dust down but that was soon cleared up. The pre-qualifyingyesterday was good in terms of mileage and developing the car, and for me todial myself into the McLaren a little bit more. It’s really about the teamlearning the McLaren as well and we’ve made really good progress this weekend,but let’s just go for it tomorrow in the race.”

Richard Meins (GB). Age 56. Born: Beckenham, UK. Lives: Stanley, Hong Kong.

“I knew what I had todo from yesterday after I spun and touched the wall. The problem was the carwas making horrible noises afterwards. Going through the first corner andMandarin, it was really making lots of noise with bodywork rubbing andscratching on the road. I lost a second and a half or so in sector one, andthat would have put me up close to fourth or fifth today, but not to be in theend.

“I finishedyesterday’s session seventh, but got bumped down to eighth today but I’m not soworried about that; I’m more interested in my own time. I want to do the best Ican and I don’t think I’ve achieved what I could have today, so it’s a littlebit frustrating. Thursday’s wet session was interesting and I quite enjoyed it.You don’t often drive here in the wet and I actually like it and I would bereally happy for a wet race because it’s a leveller. I’d prefer a wet race butI don’t think it’s going to happen.”

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

“We’ve had no majordramas with our cars but there have been cars in the wall, cars on fire, a busytrack, and a huge speed differential this year from the front to back of thegrid. The front of the grid’s getting more and more competitive; there are reallyserious factory-supported cars and quality drivers. Mortara is probably as goodas it gets round here in Macau, combined with the factory Audi. Danny’s done agood job. We’re five or six seconds quicker than we were here last year withDanny, so we’re a bit disappointed with P3 because Danny’s very capable ofbeing on the front row but with the usual Macau traffic, potentially the bestlap was probably held back for Danny. We’re still very much developing theMcLaren, putting more mileage on it and sending more data back to the factory andCRS. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to see the car third on the grid and hopefullyhave a good race.

“Richard’s gonequicker than he qualified last year against tougher competition and the datasays there was a lot more left for him. It wasn’t out of the question for himto be front two or three rows, and as it turned out eighth on the grid is not abad effort. It was an unfortunate incident yesterday on cold tyres and low tyrepressures when he spun and glanced the wall. You could say unlucky but it wasalso lucky as we could see the damage was only superficial and we kept him outon track. I think there’s more time to come in Richard, so I’m pleased.

“There’s a lot ofracing today, so more rubber’s going down and the track’s getting cleaner and thereforefaster, so I expect it to be even faster. I think the top three are under thelap record already so expect the lap record to be broken tomorrow comfortably. We’rethird and eighth on the grid, it’s an early race tomorrow, so fingers crossedwe can improve positions on both cars; we’ve certainly got the right driverswho know the place really well and who race well here.

Watts steps out with ‘Strictly’ McLaren for its Macau début

2011-11-16T01:23:00.000-08:00

• Car featured on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing takes to the streets of Macau

• Le Mans class winner Watts aims for Macau GT victory at the third time of asking

• GR Asia-sponsored McLaren MP4-12C GT3 development car can be a winner on first Macau outing

Danny Watts from Thornborough has high hopes that his partnership with the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in the forthcoming Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup will provide the pairing with a perfect quick step of their own as they take to the streets of Macau this weekend (November 17 - 20^th).

Holly Valance and Artem Chigvintsev took a spin in a McLaren MP4-12C on BBC's Strictly Come DancingRead more on the Daily Mail website: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2057775/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2011-Alex-Jones-paces-James-Jordan.html#ixzz1drB0pkob

Over 11 million viewers watched McLaren’s Ron Dennis put the MP4-12C through its paces recently as he gave Strictly Come Dancing contestants, Holly Valance and Artem Chigvintsev, a hair-raising ride in the super sportscar in an attempt to put some fizz into their fast-moving jive dance.

However, former Le Mans class winner Watts won’t be giving any rides as he races the GR Asia Ltd-sponsored development car in anger at Macau for his 10^th year in 2011. And this will also be his second successive year with Leeds-based Anglo-American team United Autosports, for which he is also employed as a driver coach.

“It was quite interesting watching Ron Dennis put the car through its paces on Strictly Come Dancing as it gave people an insight into what the car can actually do, what its capabilities are, how fast it is and how good the handling is”, said 31-year old Watts.

Watts drove the McLaren MP4-12C sports racer at Silverstone for the final round of the Blancpain Endurance Championship last month, and has no doubt the car will suit the Monaco-style Macau event down to the ground. He continued: “The circuit is quite a tight, twisty, bumpy street track which is pretty dirty. The car apparently has got a good change of direction, it’s got great traction and a huge amount of power and I think it will be well-suited to the track.

“Macau is my favourite track in the world. I’ve been on the podium the last three years with a second and two thirds, so this year - my 10^th anniversary of racing in Macau - I want to put that right and win it. I’m incredibly grateful to Hong Kong-based Tim Huxley and GR Asia Ltd for making this happen for me every year in Macau – the level of support is just fantastic – and coupled with the professionalism from United Autosports, it really is the perfect package.”

Danny Watts raced for United Autosports in 2010

Watts considers Audi driver Edoardo Mortara his main opposition, the Italian being the only driver to have won the coveted Macau Formula 3 race twice. However, Danny is no stranger to winning in Macau either, having taken victory in the Formula Asia 2000 race in 2002, before changing disciplines again to lift the trophy in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race in 2007.

United Autosports will also be running Hong Kong-based Briton, Richard Meins in the team’s Audi R8 LMS GT3 in the prestigious GT event. Meins is also a Macau regular and has competed on the Guia Circuit in many different formulas over the years.

Macau

The 58^th running of the prestigious Macau 3.8-mile lap races, which attracts over 300 drivers, is headlined by the F3 Macau Grand Prix, and is the only street race in the world with both car and motorcycle competition taking place on the same weekend. This year the Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup will be a 12-lap counter, two laps more than last year, clearly denoting the popularity of the over-subscribed event.

In addition to the high profile Formula 3 and GT races, the four-day event also features the FIA WTCC - Guia Race of Macau, the CTM Macau Touring Car Cup, the City of Dreams Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, as well as a road sport challenge race.

United Autosports / GR Asia's McLaren MP4-12C GT3 car that Watts will race this weekend

Provisional Timetable (all times are local):

Thursday, 17 November - 12.00 – 12.30 Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Practice 1

Friday, 18 November - 13.55 – 14.15 Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Practice 2

Saturday 19 November - 12.50 – 13.10 Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Qualifying

Sunday 20 November - 09.00 – 10.00 Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Race, 12 Laps

For further information please contact:

Linda Keen

Press Officer

United Autosports

T: +44 1424 250840

M: +44 7745 121790

Email: linda@unitedautosports.com

Skype: lindakeen

www.unitedautosports.com

For further information on-event, please contact:Jay AshtonM: +44 7919 186291 (UK)

M: +852 968 07642 (HK)E: jay@unitedautosports.com

Skype: Jay_Ashton

UNITED AUTOSPORTS AND GR ASIA FIELD McLAREN AND AUDI FOR VICTORY BID AT MACAU

2011-11-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

Fledgling super team aims for second podium in only second Macau visit
Britain's Danny Watts races GR Asia-sponsored McLaren MP4-12C GT3 development car
'Local' man, Richard Meins, returns with tried and trusted Audi R8 LMS for 11th Macau

Richard Meins at Macau in 2010

Leeds-based Anglo-American team United Autosports returns to Macau for only its second visit on November 17 - 20th with leading British sportscar racer, Danny Watts (Thornborough), and Hong Kong-based Briton, Richard Meins, at the wheel of the GR Asia-sponsored cars.

However this year, instead of taking the two Audi R8 LMS GT3 cars for Watts and Meins as it did in 2010, the team will race a McLaren MP4-12C GT3 development car, which will be run in conjunction with GR Asia Ltd, one of United Autosports' Asian partners.

Running the 12C GT3 will be something of a taster for when the team takes possession of its own brace of McLarens at the end of the year, and the experienced Watts will have the reins of the car in Macau in a bid to improve on his third place finish last year.

Competing in the blue ribbon Macau race amidst its extensive program of worldwide events, gives a clear indication of United Autosports' commitment and ambition to become one of the leading sportscar teams in the world.

It is also, without doubt, a feather in GR Asia's cap that it will be responsible for the Asian début of the mighty new McLaren as it takes to the track for its inaugural outing in Macau. Watts has competed at Macau for the last 10 years in both single-seaters and sportscars, but victory on the Guia Circuit has so far eluded the Le Mans class winner, who finished third in the GT event both last year and in 2009, and was runner-up in the first ever race in 2008.

For Meins, Macau is his favourite track and like Watts, he has competed in Macau on 10 previous occasions, racing Touring cars, Porsche Cup, Ferrari GT and Porsche GT3. However, he insists the Audi R8 LMS is the best of them all in terms of balance; the ABS and traction control system giving him confidence over the inevitably bumpy street road surface.

Meins regards this year's outing in Macau as ‘unfinished business', having had mechanical issues last year, and is determined to take a top finish this time round.

The 58th running of the prestigious Macau 3.8-mile lap races, which attracts over 300 drivers, is headlined by the F3 Macau Grand Prix, and is the only street race in the world with both car and motorcycle competition taking place on the same weekend. This year the Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup will be a 12-lap counter, two laps more than last year, clearly denoting the popularity of the over-subscribed event.

Provisional Timetable (all times are local):
Thursday, 17 November - 12.00 – 12.30 Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Practice 1
Friday, 18 November - 13.55 – 14.15 Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Practice 2
Saturday 19 November - 12.50 – 13.10 Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Qualifying
Sunday 20 November - 09.00 – 10.00 Star River-Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup – Race, 12 Laps

Danny Watts (GB). Age 31. Born: Aylesbury, UK. Lives: Thornborough, nr Buckingham, England

"Macau is my favourite event of the year for several reasons. Firstly, the circuit, as any driver who has raced around the famous streets will tell you, is one of the biggest challenges in the world. It's over 6km in length with every corner imaginable, long straights, fast chicanes, adverse cambers, hills, bumps, and the world's only hairpin which is so tight there isn't room for two cars! Concentration, focus, accuracy and precision are the keys to a quick lap at Macau.

"Having been on the podium the last couple of years, it's time to finally be on the top step in the GT race, and having the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 at my disposal should give me the tools to achieve this. Having driven it at Silverstone, the car feels sharp, responsive and agile; all characteristics you need for a street circuit. While GR Asia makes this all happen for me, which is why I am very motivated and focussed on repaying its faith in me by winning the race, United Autosports is regarded worldwide as a highly-professional, competitive team."

Richard Meins (GB). Age 56. Born: Beckenham, UK. Lives: Stanley, Hong Kong

"There's nowhere quite like Macau; it's very fast, all the corners are blind with no run-off or room for error anywhere! Mentally the approach to Macau is different to almost all other circuits and total respect is needed before you even get in the car. I was lucky enough to drive for United Autosports this year in the Audi at the Spa 24 Hour race with a very serious line-up of ex-Formula 1 drivers. It was a great weekend and gave me many hours of experience in the car. I am really looking forward to putting that experience to good use and I'm confident of getting a good result in Macau with United Autosports, one of the most professional and friendly teams with which I have been involved."

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

This is our second year at Macau working with our partner GR Asia. It's a fantastic event; there is really nothing like it that I have seen before in motorsport and it provides a great atmosphere. The fans love it and our team loves it too! We have high hopes for the McLaren and Audi, and we're focused on improving on the third place which Danny took last year.

Danny Watts in the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 at Silverstone in October

- ENDS -

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 1,305kg. 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.

- ENDS -

Date of issue: Friday November 4, 2011
* Meins and Watts 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:
Linda Keen
Press Officer
United Autosports
T: +44 1424 250840
M: +44 7745 121790
Email: linda@unitedautosports.com
Skype: lindakeen
www.unitedautosports.com

For further information on-event, please contact:
Jay Ashton
M: +44 7919 186291
E: jay@unitedautosports.com
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports' Season Continues in Non-Stop Winter Wonderland

2011-10-31T04:51:00.000-07:00

No winter break for young team going places
Audi R8 GT3 for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bathurst GT endurance events
United Autosports breaks new ground in classic events
Outstanding opportunity for strong driver line-up

United Autosports is the team to be with in 2012 as it launches an ambitious campaign of thrilling races straight into the New Year, with three classic GT endurance events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bathurst.

The young team – entering only its third season in 2012 – continues its drive to the top with the Dunlop Dubai 24 Hours on 12-14 January 2012. A week later the crew moves onto the mystical Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for the Gulf 12 Hours event which, similarly to the Formula 1 race, will end at night under the sparkling lights and magical atmosphere.

Completing the trio of winter wonderland races, United Autosports makes its début at the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour on 24-26 February. Famous for its exhilarating Touring Car races, the GT event will challenge competitors to the limit around the spectacular 6.213 km long roller-coaster Mount Panorama circuit.

United Autosports will bring a top driver line-up to each of the three races to compete in the team’s Audi R8 GT3 in the SP2 GT3-A class. The Audi is a proven 24-hour race winner, having won this year’s Spa 24 Hour race and also the Blancpain Endurance Series, making it the obvious choice of car to use in the team’s winter program.

In previous endurance events the team has attracted a number of high-profile ex-Formula 1 drivers into the Audi, including Mark Blundell, Martin Brundle, Eddie Cheever, Johnny Herbert and Stefan Johansson, as well as double Indianapolis 500 winner, Arie Luyendyk.

The Anglo-American United Autosports pairing of Zak Brown, American CEO of JMI, the largest global motorsports marketing agency, and experienced British driver and racing team owner, Richard Dean, have combined their knowledge, racing experience, drive and determination into a team aiming for global domination.

Above: United Autosports at the Total 24 Hours of Spa earlier this year

Zak Brown (USA) Co-Owner and CEO of United Autosports:

“We couldn’t find a better way of moving into our third year as a racing team than by competing in such classics as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bathurst; three exciting endurance events which are considered a ‘must do’ for any aspiring racer. It’s also a fitting way to continue our relationship with Audi into 2012.”

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

“United Autosports is a 52-week a year business and the goal is to have the top GT racing team in the world. In only two years United Autosports has built a reputation in which top drivers want to race with us, and now we’re offering them the opportunity to compete with our highly-motivated team, which is competing worldwide. We want to have a dominant presence at every circuit we go to and these three exciting classic events are next on our calendar.”

Above: The Dubai race will include night racing as encountered during the Total 24 Hours of Spa earlier this year

United Autosports Closes Audi & FIA Championship "Chapters" In Europe

2011-10-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Anglo-American team brings curtain down on FIA GT3 European Championship campaign to focus on Blancpain Endurance Series next season
Final race for United's Audi in Europe after two year program before 2012 switch to McLaren
Only Macau remains in hectic 24 Hr-race 2011 season with R8 LMS

United Autosports closed two chapters in its short, 20-month existence when the checker unfurled in the final FIA GT3 European Championship race of the season at Circuit Park Zandvoort (NED) today (October 16).

But there was to be no fairytale ending despite a lot of effort by the Anglo-American team that registered three hard-earned top-20 placings with their brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars.

The one-hour races staged on the historic 2.68-mile Zandvoort coastal track located 15miles from Amsterdam marked the final appearance of a United Audi in Europe and the team's last FIA races – United switching to the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 and the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2012.

United Autosports contests its 41st race since its race début in April last year at Macau next month with the R8 LMS (2010: 12 FIA GT3, 2 BGT, Spa 24 Hours, Zhuhai ILMC, Macau. 2011: 12 FIA GT3, 10 BGT, Spa 24 Hours).

Hong Kong-based Richard Meins (GB) will be making his fourth appearance behind the wheel of a United R8 LMS when he lines-up in the GT race at Macau.

Race 1 (Saturday, duration 60mins)
Qualifying: 17th #22 Patterson, 1m 42.136s; 20th #23 Brown, 1m 43.188s. Weather: Dry, sunny, cold.

Race Result: 19th (#22) +72.152s P1; 20th (#23) +72.958s P1. Weather: Dry, sunny, cold.

Qualifying, staged under a clear blue sky but in very cold conditions early on Saturday morning, was brought to a premature end after a second red flag stoppage. Patterson was an early fourth fastest before pitting from P11 to check tire pressures prior to the first red flag. Meanwhile Brown opted to miss the opening 10mins and so had his session completely disrupted with the two stoppages and an early finish.

The sun still shone for Saturday afternoon's opening race but the temperature remained a cold 8°C, Patterson and Brown starting from the ninth and 10th rows respectively of the 28-car grid.

At one-quarter distance, Patterson and Brown placed 19th (the second highest Audi) and 22nd respectively, Zak handing over the #23 Audi to Bell after 27mins in 21st with Mark pitting the #22 R8 LMS for Osborne from 17th with 31mins remaining.

With 15mins to run, Osborne and Bell ran 18th and 20th covered by less than a second, the #22 and #23 Audis taking the checker in 19th and 20th – Joe less than 10secs behind the best-placed Audi in 16th.

Race 2 (Sunday, duration 60mins)
Qualifying: 23rd #23 Bell, 1m 40.622s; 26th #22 Osborne, 1m 40.886s. Weather: Dry, sunny, cold.

Race Result: 20th (#23) -1 lap P1; 21st (#22) -1 lap P1. Weather: Dry, sunny, cool.

Qualifying on Saturday began 40mins behind schedule following extensive repairs to the Armco barrier, while a double waved yellow at the final corner cost Osborne a top-20 start position with Bell thwarted with a handling imbalance.

Sunday dawned bright, sunny and cool (11°C) with Bell and Osborne starting the #23 and #22 cars from rows 12 & 13 and running 21st and 22nd in the early stages, the windshields on both Audis smeared with oil sprayed out by another car making visibility an issue.

At mid-distance Bell and Osborne were 18th and 19th moments prior to pitting to Brown and Patterson, the #23 and #22 Audis placed 17th and 21st after all compulsory pit-stops were completed.

Patterson challenging team-mate Brown for 19th with seven minutes remaining was tagged in to a spin by the #12 Mercedes, Zak being handicapped by severe oversteer throughout his stint.

#22 Draper Tools – Audi R8 LMS
Joe Osborne (GB). Age: 22. Born: Bedford, GB. Lives: Olney, Buckinghamshire, GB:
"The tires had little grip when I took over from Mark in Saturday's race but they hung in well until the finish. I wasn't in a battle with anyone so could go at my own pace. Sunday's race was difficult starting that far back but I grabbed a couple of places in the opening lap before oil smeared across the windshield which made things difficult. The Audi felt good on Sunday but that's the frustrating thing, why were we so slow compared to the opposition? The Balance of Performance has not been equal concerning the Audi for any of this year's races. The team has done the best it could all year but it's been a frustrating season."

Mark Patterson (USA). Age: 59. Born: Port Elizabeth, SA. Lives: Bronxville, New York State, USA:
"The expected chaos on the opening lap for Race One didn't materialize somewhat surprisingly and I gained places after a couple bumped each other. Everyone was well behaved and civil allowing me to get in to a good rhythm. It was an ‘okay' performance. I enjoyed the luxury of grip on Saturday but after Sunday's race, I now know why Joe was complaining. The second half of the race was tough with no rubber. Despite this, I caught Zak and was about to challenge when I was hit, very hard, into a spin by a Mercedes. Despite not enough points I've had a fantastic second FIA season."

#23 Legends of Motorsport – Audi R8 LMS
Matt Bell (GB). Age: 21. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, GB. Lives: Barningham, North Yorks, GB:
"Early on in Saturday's race after taking over from Zak, my Audi had good pace and I quickly caught up an Aston which had Joe [Osborne] just ahead. The Aston had a straight line speed advantage and unfortunately I wasted the best of my tires trying to get past and was then helpless in fending off cars from behind in the latter stages. An Aston hit me up the back at the start of Race Two but managed to get past. It would seem that he had a mechanical problem as my windshield was then covered in oil. Struggled on due to the lack of visibility, the Audi after an overnight change, handled better before the grip level disappeared near the end of the stint. The season hasn't produced the results we wanted while the lack of testing after switching to Michelin rubber hurt us. Despite it being a tough year, it's been hugely enjoyable working with United Autosports who have been phenomenal throughout."

Zak Brown (USA). Age: 39. Born: Los Angeles, California, USA. Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:
"Our strategy was to wait a while before going out for Race One qualifying and then we had a bad break with two red flag incidents. I never got a decent lap in then I made a terrible start – probably my worst of the entire FIA season. I touched a car in Turn 7 then out-braked myself into the chicane. From then until handing over the car to Matt it was uneventful and boring. Sunday took up from where Saturday left off and was not much fun. The car was a big handful from when I took over from Matt. We wanted to alter the tire pressures during the pit-stop but because we needed to clean the screen, we had to leave the tires. We weren't competitive all weekend but that applied to all of the Audi teams. In terms of the season, switching from Dunlop to Michelin tires mid-season was the correct decision but I've been disappointed with the BoP this year. Our rivals have highs and lows but their 'sweet spot' seems to be wider than ours."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"The FIA series is hugely competitive and very hard fought. Matt and Joe are our ‘pro' drivers and they are only finishing off their second and third full seasons of racing respectively so their performances against some very experienced drivers are a massive credit. Zak has business commitments which restrict his testing opportunities but fights it out with the very best. Meanwhile Mark, who only took up racing a few years ago, has improved hugely – aggressive, focused and ultra-competitive. The Audi R8 LMS set a very high GT3 standard in 2009 but while the opposition have responded, the FIA arguably still regards the R8 LMS as the ‘standard bearer' in terms of its performance and the subsequent BoP restrictions have held us back over the past two years. Audi Sport and quattro GmbH have been magnificent to us – both on and off-event – and I'd like to thank them for the past two years – they could not have been kinder or treated us any better."

(ends)

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, Michelin radial tires. Minimum start weight 1,295kg. 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.

(ends)

Date of issue: Sunday October 16, 2011

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 Audi 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.audi-press.co.uk

For further McLaren information and on-event at Macau, please contact:
Jay Ashton
M +44 7919 186291
E jay@unitedautosports.com
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports Leaves Its Mark On British GT Championship Despite Missing Out On Title At First Attempt In Dramatic Fashion

2011-10-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

Anglo-American team go down fighting on all fronts in Silverstone finale
United start two cars from second row but Safety Car period ruins perfect strategy
Third UA Audi of Brown & Osborne has likely win snatched when 35secs clear
Brown shines at the front and defends robustly in one-off BGT return

Drama and action aplenty in the 10th and final round of the British GT Championship at Silverstone (GB) yesterday (October 8) which saw a United Autosports Audi dominate over half of a two-hour race and the Anglo-American team's "sister" R8 LMS of Matt Bell (GB) and Mike Guasch (USA) battling for the championship "crown".

Bell and Guasch went down fighting with a win or bust mentality. The #23 Audi ran in the top-four in the early stages but ultimately placed 16th (22nd overall). A collision with 24mins remaining necessitating a 9.5mins pit-stop for repairs costing them any hopes of claiming the championship "crown" on their first attempt.

While Matt and Mike were unable to add to their impressive eight top-10 finishes of the season, their main championship rivals Jim Geddie/Glynn Geddie finished third depriving the United Autosports team of its first championship title success.

But United Autosports certainly left its mark on this year's BGT – none more so than in yesterday's two-hour race – and not merely for just missing out narrowly on title honors at the final hurdle.

For while United Autosports' regular #24 Teknavo Audi BGT entry of John Bintcliffe (GB)/Jay Palmer (GB) recorded 14th place, a third UA R8 LMS of Zak Brown (USA) and Joe Osborne (GB) placed sixth around Silverstone's 3.66-mile Grand Prix track – marking the first three-car UA entry on a BGT grid which numbered 30 for the final race of 2011.

For Brown, it was his first BGT race since the 2010 season opening Easter races at Oulton Park – United Autosports' first-ever races – while Osborne was actually making his "proper" BGT debut. Joe raced a Ginetta G50Z in the invitational class (to GT3 spec) in 2009 in the series, starting from pole and winning both races at Rockingham.

A mid-distance Safety Car period with the #29 Draper Tools R8 LMS an impressive 36secs ahead of the field cost the Brown/Osborne Audi a likely top-three finish having led laps 2-37 in the 54-lap race. Brown robustly defended the lead after the compulsory pit-stops, banging wheels at times, and keeping spectators enthralled.

Contesting its first full season in BGT after the formation of the Leeds-based outfit just 20 months ago, United Autosports scored the first British GT Championship race win for the Audi R8 LMS sports car.

Bell and Guasch led the championship from rounds three to eight in their #23 Molecule R8 LMS and posted just one retirement in their V10-engined Audi due to accident damage.

Avon Tyres British GT Championship (final positions after 10 races):
1 Geddie/Geddie, 144-points
10 Matt Bell & Mike Guasch, 110.5pts
23 John Bintcliffe & Jay Palmer, 23pts

Upcoming...
Final two FIA GT3 European Championship races, Zandvoort (Netherlands), October 15-16 . . . Macau GT Cup (China), November 20...

Race (duration 120mins)
Qualifying: 3rd #29 Osborne, 2m 4.166; 4th #23 Bell, 2m 4.253s; 15th #24 Palmer, 2m 7.600s. Weather: Dry, cool, overcast.

Race Result: 6th (#29) +56.941s P1; 14th (#24) -1 lap; 16th / 22nd overall (#23) -4 laps. Weather: Dry, cool, overcast.

Championship leaders Jim Geddie/Glynn Geddie (#10 Ferrari 458 Italia) lined-up on the fifth row with Duncan Cameron/ Matt Griffin (#21 Ferrari 458 Italia), placed second in the series standings, on the third row – Bell/Guasch starting the final race 11pts and 3pts respectively behind their rivals.

The three United Autosports Audi R8 LMS sports cars of Osborne, Guasch and Palmer lined-up third, fourth and 15th – the latter's #24 Teknavo Audi rebuilt following its hard hit against the wall at Becketts Corner in Friday's opening practice.

Osborne moved into second place at Becketts on the opening lap and swept into the lead at Vale on lap two while Guasch ran sixth in the opening phase, Palmer dropping to 18th after contact with the #3 Ferrari.

Sixth-placed Guasch had both title rivals directly behind, the #21 & #10 Ferraris with 15mins gone, the American slipping to ninth 30mins in to the race while Osborne increased his lead advantage to five seconds.

Guasch spun down to 10th place after 37mins while attempting to lap a back marker as Palmer made a precautionary one-minute pit-stop from 17th on 41mins with a handling issue – Osborne now 20secs to the good at the front.

Mike handed over the #23 Audi to Bell on 55mins moments before a Safety Car period negated Osborne's very impressive 36secs lead advantage, Joe pitting to Brown during the caution, the race resuming with 43mins to run with Brown, Bell and Bintcliffe placed first, 10th and 16th.

Brown slipped to third while Bell moved up to seventh with 30mins left – Zak, driving aggressively and in a determined fashion, ultimately succumbed to the Bell/Guasch title rival #10 Ferrari and dropped to fifth as Bintcliffe moved up the order.

However the BGT title disappeared completely for the #23 Audi when, with 24mins to run, Bell and the sixth-placed #22 Mercedes contacted resulting in Matt heading to the pits for repairs which cost four laps – a bitter close to a season that has seen the #23 Audi bidding for race honors all year.

#23 Molecule – Audi R8 LMS

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

"It is disappointing going into a race where you are in championship title contention only to miss out. Unfortunately we didn't quite get the optimum set-up for the race, Mike had a problem during his stint and then I went for a move which was probably a little ambitious and made contact with another car damaging the Audi. I pitted and the crew did a great job. The car wasn't right when I went back out, there was still some damage to the rear but it was a brilliant effort by the guys. We've had a great year. We led the championship for most of the year. The Audi R8 LMS car is in its third year of racing while the Ferrari 458, for example, has come in this season and raised the bar. The team has done a great, professional job and I can't thank Richard and Zak enough for giving me this opportunity. So a disappointing end to what was a good year."

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

"I am disappointed but I am also elated that the season is over, it's been a long year. Of course I'm disappointed we are not champions but it's a very tough series. The guys who won the championship deserved it – they did a fabulous job. My stint was difficult. I lost a couple of places at the start because I was slow away – I heard red, red, red over my radio and I thought the start had been aborted – things are a little different Stateside. Then there were four of us lapping a GT4 car. I was in the back and he cut in on me and I spun. I had good pace but not great pace. The Audi was very touchy today, a handful. It was a great learning year, much better than last year in the FIA for me and I really enjoyed running in Britain and the series. We were right in the middle of the title fight and I am proud of that."

#24 Teknavo – Audi R8 LMS

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

"I was too apprehensive in qualifying after my accident in practice and that continued into the race, only towards the end did I get into the groove. Unfortunately Jay stopped in the wrong place at the pit-stop costing us a lot of time as the team re-positioned the car. I had a good battle with a Ferrari. I've really enjoyed the season. I am very grateful to United Autosports, they've done a great job and it's not always been easy. I am thankful to Jay for getting me to drive with him this year."

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

"I didn't get a run in the car until this morning because of John's off on Friday morning so that was a set back. I had an okay start, managed to make up a couple of places and then had an altercation with Hector Lester and after that the Audi didn't feel quite right – it was an uphill struggle from there. I pitted because I thought I had a flat tire but it was just a lot of 'pick-up' on the tires. The season has been a big learning curve – enjoyable and disappointing in parts."

#29 Draper Tools – Audi R8 LMS

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

"I only did a couple of 'flying' laps in practice and so went into qualifying a bit cold but hooked up a good lap. I started P3, was second by the first lap, then into the lead a lap later and just played it safe lapping traffic. Our strategy was working superbly and was eking out a nice lead so if the Safety Car hadn't have come out, we would have been on for a good result. Zak drove an awesome race and was super aggressive. Thanks United Autosports for putting me in the third car and Draper Tools for coming along for the Silverstone weekend."

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

"That was one of the more enjoyable races of the year. Had the Safety Car not come out our strategy would have been perfect – we had the chance to win. Joe did fantastically well, he just walked away with it until the Safety Car. I held onto the lead for a while before some really fun battles with a Porsche and then Ferrari – it was exciting from inside the car! We were banging wheels at times. Matt and Mike, plus the team, did a great job all year having led the championship for most of the year but for a couple of mistakes in the last two races, would have taken the title. I'm very proud of our team – to be fighting for a championship title in only our second year of competition and having won our first race, there can be no complaints from me. It was also good for our sponsor guests to witness us running competitively."

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

"It's been a typical United Autosports weekend: Lots of hard work, heartache, some highs and some lows! We were in contention until the last 30mins of the last race but it didn't quite work out. But the effort and professionalism from the entire team was absolutely first class and I'm extremely proud of every member. We've overcome a crashed car resulting in long repairs, long hours, a great qualifying performance and we were very competitive in the race. Matt tried to get us back in to contention – something he's often done successfully this year. To have Joe lead the race from the start and pull out a lead that was really healthy and Zak put in a very strong drive to defend our position against top quality drivers. We have had a great year and somewhat surprisingly considering the circumstances of not winning the title, I can't wait for next year! I would love to come back and do the British GT Championship again. We led the championship for most of the year and have been competitive at every race. I am not sure there has been a more competitive season. We are proud in our second season to have been up there in contention. We could have won it, I think we should have won it, but they are all good experiences but congratulations to the Geddies. We have the foundations of a championship winning team which we can build on for the future."

(ends)

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 1,305kg. 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.

(ends)

Date of issue: Sunday October 9, 2011

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

United Autosports Bidding For British GT Championship Glory At First Attempt

2011-10-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

Bell & Guasch in "maximum attack" mode as they face uphill battle for BGT honors at Silverstone

Anglo-American team wins race against time to prepare R8 LMS for Bintcliffe & Palmer

Maximum attack is the only course of action left for Matt Bell (GB) and Mike Guasch (USA) when they line-up for the 10th and final round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Silverstone (GB) on Saturday (October 8).

The Anglo-American "combo" will start the two-hour finale only third in the championship standings despite eight top-10 results and just one retirement, 11-points off the championship lead.

But with 37.5pts up for grabs for the race winners, the championship "crown" is still on offer to 12 drivers in the title race.

The Leeds-based team has been in a race against time to re-build the John Bintcliffe (GB)/Jay Palmer (GB) R8 LMS. Bintcliffe suffered a high-speed accident in qualifying for the previous round at Donington Park (GB) last month.

The heavy impact with a concrete retaining wall destroyed the #24 Teknavo Audi necessitating a multitude of new parts from quattro GmbH in Germany and subsequently a complete rebuild in readiness for Silverstone's two-hour race around the 3.66-mile "Grand Prix" track.

Richard Dean and Bell were present for United Autosports' stunning American Le Mans Series début in which Dean's fellow team co-owner Zak Brown (USA), United Autosports' FIA GT3 driver Mark Patterson (USA) and Stefan Johansson (SE) finished second in the LM P2 category in the 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans race last Saturday (October 1).

Avon Tyres British GT Championship (after nine rounds):
1 Geddie/Geddie, 121.5-points
2 Griffin/Cameron, 113.5pts
3 Matt Bell & Mike Guasch, 110.5pts
23 John Bintcliffe & Jay Palmer, 23pts

Points will be awarded at Silverstone as follows:
1st 37.5pts; 2nd 27pts; 3rd 22.5pts; 4th 18pts; 5th 15pts; 6th 12pts; 7th 9pts; 8th 6pts; 9th 3pts; 10th 1.5pts

Championship permutations:
A race win for Bell/Guasch nets them the championship but only if the Geddies are third or lower. Second place would also be good enough so long as Geddies are fifth or lower and the race is not won by Cameron/Griffin, Lyons/Bateman or Ashburn. Third also wins them the title if Geddies are seventh or lower, Ashburn doesn't win, and Cameron/Griffin and/or Lyons/Bateman are behind.

Provisional Timetable:
Friday October 7 – 0900-0950 BGT Practice 1; 1420-1510 BGT Practice 2
Saturday October 8 - 0935-1010 BGT Qualifying; 1600-1800 BGT 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:
"We have certainly a mountain to climb at Silverstone. Even if we win the race, it's down to where other people finish in terms of the championship. So we just need to make sure we do a good job and win the race and then see if luck has been with us. The FIA GT3 races at Silverstone in June didn't go particularly well for us but the Audi is better now. I do believe we are down in terms of the 'Balance of Performance' compared to the Ferraris and Porsches. They have more aero parts which gives them more grip and that's where we struggle in comparison."

Michael Guasch (USA). Age: 53. Born: Palo Alto, California. Lives: Walnut Creek, California, USA:
"I have raced at Silverstone previously and while it's not one of my favorite tracks it could be depending on the result! We will be competitive but cannot afford to make any mistakes. The mistakes in the previous race at Donington were all down to me – the team was flawless. I will be looking to make amends, rest assured of that."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"Our goal is simple. We concentrate solely on winning the race and not thinking about the championship. We need to be decisive and aggressive."

Date of issue: Sunday October 2, 2011

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 at Silverstone, please contact:
Jay Ashton
M +44 7919 186291
E jay@unitedautosports.com
www.audi-press.co.uk
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports Pull Off Podium Goal at Petit Le Mans

2011-10-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

United Autosports last night scored a stunning runner-up rostrum finish on their Le Mans Prototype race début. Zak Brown (USA), Stefan Johansson (SE) and Mark Patterson (USA) steered their Pescarolo-Judd home into second place in the LMP2 class as the checkered flag dropped on the Petit Le Mans race.

An early race set-back put their #22 car down to 49th overall but a strong car, faultless drives and expert pit stops saw Brown cross the line after 367 laps of the Road Atlanta race track 13^th overall and 2^nd in class.

With attrition always a large factor of endurance racing, United Autosports survived nine safety car periods and the team made just 13 pit stops to earn victory in the Michelin Green X Challenge.

In typical Petit Le Mans style, the first hour was an action-packed sixty minutes, which included two safety car periods. Johansson, who started the race fifth in class, had moved up to second in just 13 laps going into the first full course caution. But it was the second ‘yellow’ interval that would lose Johansson eight laps.

A slow-paced safety car backed the traffic up enough at the final chicane to cause a car to damage the #22’s rear bodywork, which forced Johansson into the pit lane with a smoking right rear corner. Unfortunately the car had to return to the garage for a replacement rear diffuser.

Great work by the motorsport crew would see Johansson return to the track fifteen minutes later with a full tank of fuel, new set of tyres and a complete new rear body section with a strategy that should pay off later in the race – now being able to run ‘long’.

By the time the race had reached quarter distance, Johansson had progressed to 4^th and had weaved his way through the ‘GT’ field into 36^th overall.

A fourth full course caution just shy of 3 hours into the event brought about the #22 car’s first driver change as Johansson handed over to Mark Patterson. In his debut Le Mans Prototype race, Patterson’s double-stint progressed #22 up to third in class when he returned to the pits for Brown’s LMP race debut just before half race distance.

It would be mid-way through Brown’s first double stint when the class-leading #26 Oreca 03 Nissan ran into problems, promoting Brown to 2^nd spot, which would then remain unchallenged.

Entering into the ‘night’ period, the circuit was in almost complete darkness with just 60 laps of the 1000-mile race remaining. Patterson was knocking on the door of the top ten overall but couldn’t close the gap to the lead #33 car that was maintaining a blistering pace. However, the gap to third was looking safe and well under control.

Drama continued into the closing stages for Brown who found himself in the middle of a ‘GT’ class battle as the final yellow flag period of the race bunched the remaining cars together for a dash to the flag. Brown put all his long distance experience into play achieving his team’s goal of a podium finish at arguably one of the world’s greatest motor races.

Race result for LMP2 class: 1^st (6^th overall): #33 Level 5 Motorsports; 2^nd (13^th) United Autosports; 3^rd (22^nd) Signatech Nissan

#22 – United Autosports Pescarolo-Judd LMP2

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

“It was a great debut here, taking second place at Petit Le Mans. Stefan got hit from behind early on which put us down; otherwise we would have had a big fight there for the win. The season’s not over yet but it’s a good way to start wrapping things up and thinking about next year.

“Everyone drove great; we all pulled our weight, nobody made any mistakes and the car was great the entire time. The last five laps were stressful but it was great to take the chequer. I’d love to come back and race these cars again and I bet I will one day.”

Stefan Johansson (SE). Age: 55. Born: Växjö, Sweden. Lives: Los Angeles, California, USA:

“The car was performing great all day, Mark and Zak didn’t make any mistakes and that’s exactly what we set out to do. The team did a fantastic job in the pit stops, and we just kept our nose clean.

“We were doing good lap times and it’s a pity [about the early race contact] but second is better than third. Hopefully we’ll have another try at winning the cake some other time.”

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

“I got an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half stints – one kicked in right as the sun was going down to pitch black and trust me that was a lot of agitate. There are two corners here where there’s no light at all but it’s easier to break late there because you can’t see the danger!

“But the tires were great, the car was great, the mechanics and engineers were first rate and there wasn’t a single mistake by all three drivers over 9.5 hours – that’s pretty unbelievable. We were careful and angry. We got the job done, but didn’t take too much risk. “

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

"I’ve been to this race three or four times and it’s a tough race to crack and I’m a bit stunned! DAMS are a world-class team in every formula they do so to partner them here was exactly the right thing and I can’t praise them enough. We’ve learned a lot working with them and to get United Autosports on the podium is exactly what was planned.

"I do not expect this to be United Autosports’ one and only foray into LMP racing. Quite when we go into a full-time campaign is something that will no doubt come up in conversation but we have a McLaren season to get through. We’ll be looking at when to make the right move to come full-time I’m sure.”

Upcoming: Final round of the British GT Championship at Silverstone (England) on October 8 . . . final two FIA GT3 European Championship races, Zandvoort (Netherlands), October 15-16 . . . Macau GT Cup (China), November 20 . . .

United Autosports Confident of Conquering Petit Le Mans After Successful Week's Testing

2011-09-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

• Johansson claims top-five grid spotfor race

• Problem-free testing maximises vitaltrack time

In United Autosports’ debutforay into Le Mans Prototype racing, Stefan Johansson today qualified his #22 Pescarolo-Juddcar in 5th position for the LMP2 class; 18th overall.

At just 2.54 miles long andwith 58 cars on track, traffic has been the key to everybody’s lap times. Andwith five classes of car with varying speeds, managing traffic has beenimperative in maximising a consistent lap time.

But for qualifying, LMP1 andLMP2 cars got a 15-minute session to themselves. However, 18 cars stillcirculated which didn’t completely eliminate the traffic factor.

Johansson set an early besttime of 1:15.367 on lap five and held third position but despite going quickeragain a lap later, he was bumped down to fifth. A further improvement on histimes on lap ten would be his best but unfortunately, not by enough to move upthe order.

It can be said though thatqualifying is a ‘formality’ in endurance racing and with incidents aplenty inthe days leading up to today, the upcoming 1000-mile / ten-hour event could allcome down to attrition.

The road to Petit Le Mansactually began last Sunday (September 25^th) with the first of five‘test’ sessions at the Road Atlanta race track before official practice beganyesterday (September 29^th).

Whilst Brown and Johanssonhad already sampled the car earlier in the year, Sunday gave Patterson his first LeMans Prototype experience.

His quick adaption to theaerodynamic, Formula One-comparable car was evident with Patterson being thefastest driver for United Autosports in three of the four practice sessions. TeamChairman and Co-owner Zak Brown was the quickest in practice session 2.

Stefan Johansson sat outmost of the practice sessions having already had good seat time in the car intesting including being the sole runner on Wednesday. He did, however, run inthe two-hour night practice session last night and this morning’s one-hoursession, but got cut short by the morning’s third accident to bring out the redflags.

Working in partnership withFrench race outfit DAMS motorsport, the team provided a faultless car enablingthe drivers to get maximum time in the car leading up to tomorrow’s race. Onlycontact for Brown with a GT car ten minutes before the end of practice 2 forcedan earlier-than-planned return to pit road with a damaged rear splitter.

Qualifying result for LMP2 class: 1st (13^th overall): #055 Luis Diaz; 2^nd(14^th): #26 Jean-Karl Vernay; 3^rd (15^th)Christophe Bouchut; 5^th (18^th) Stefan Johansson

#22 – United Autosports Pescarolo-Judd LMP2

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

“We got backinto the swing of things pretty quickly at the start of the week and I think wehave a pretty good race pace. There’s over fifty cars on the track so it’s notabout ultimate pace that wins this race – it’s about not hitting someone, orgetting hit.

“You ultimatelywant to go as fast as possible, but we haven’t been spending any time worryingabout qualifying. We just want to make sure we have a good race car that allthree drivers are comfortable with and I think we’ve got that.”

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

“It was alittle daunting at first, to get your head up and think ‘wow I can actuallydrive this thing at speed’ but it took about two laps before totally falling inlove with this machine.

“Our times haveall been quite close but the one constant thing between day and night [driving]is with 58 cars on a 4km track, it’s absolutely chaotic. You can’t look at laptimes as to who’s quickest because it’s a matter of fortune. If you encountertraffic on the back straight, it’s a lot different to being behind 6 cars inthe ‘Esses’ where you literally have to glide through there and lose five orsix seconds verses half a second. Patience is going to win this race; notspeed.”

StefanJohansson (SE). Age: 55. Born: Växjö, Sweden. Lives: Los Angeles, California,USA:

“We’re alittle bit stumped as to what happened in qualifying. It seems we’re losingspeed in all of the accelerating parts so the team are just checking thingsover.

“We justhave to keep our nose clean in the race and see what happens. I still think wehave a shot at the podium in LMP2 and that is still our goal.”

United Autosports Aims To Snatch British GT Championship Title In Finalé

2011-09-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

Bell & Guasch remain in title hunt after storming recovery in three-hour Donington race that ends in near darkness

Bintcliffe & Palmer non-start race after accident in qualifying

Matt Bell (GB) and Mike Guasch (USA) will start the 10th and final round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship next month in "full attack" mode for the Anglo-American United Autosports team.

Bell and Guasch, who had led the championship from rounds three to eight, salvaged seventh place in their #23 Molecule Audi R8 LMS in today’s (September 25) "GT500" three-hour race at Donington Park (GB).

Their eighth top-10 result of the season came after a storming fight back following an early collision dropped the duo to the tail of the field.

They go in to the two-hour finalé at Silverstone (October 8) 11-points off the championship lead but with 37.5pts up for grabs for the race winners.

Qualifying the previous day had seen the top-10 covered by one-second, Bell having to settle for a second row start after briefly holding provisional pole-position to end just 0.133secs off "pole".

John Bintcliffe (GB) in the "sister" R8 LMS set the eighth fastest time but went off at very high-speed at McLeans Corner on his fifth lap incurring right rear bodywork damage.

The #24 Teknavo Audi was recovered to the pits during a later red flag stoppage but was unable to take any further part in the session. While Bintcliffe’s early time only dropped him to 13th fastest, close inspection of the car post qualifying revealed the heavy impact had caused chassis damage obliging the team to withdraw the car from the race.

Richard Dean and other team members fly to Atlanta (USA) on Wednesday to oversee United Autosports’ first foray in the American Le Mans Series when it contests the annual Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta next Saturday. Avon Tyres British GT Championship (after nine rounds):1 Geddie/Geddie, 121.5-points
2 Griffin/Cameron, 113.5pts
3 Matt Bell & Mike Guasch, 110.5pts
23 John Bintcliffe & Jay Palmer, 23pts

Upcoming . . .

American Le Mans Series debut at Road Atlanta (USA) on October 1 . . . Final round of the British GT Championship at Silverstone (England) on October 8 . . . final two FIA GT3 European Championship races, Zandvoort (Netherlands), October 15-16 . . . Macau GT Cup (China), November 20 . . .

Race (duration 180mins)

Qualifying: 4th #23 Bell, 1m 30.448s; 13th #24 Bintcliffe, 1m 32.050s. Weather: Dry, overcast.

Race Result: 7th (#23) -1 lap P1; Did Not Start (#24) – accident damage from qualifying. Weather: Wet, overcast, damp, drying, dry.

Three mandatory pit-stops of 109 seconds minimum duration during which a driver-change must take place with the "two-driver" teams running a maximum drive time of 100 minutes was the order of the day in the "GT500" around the 2.4873-mile "Grand Prix" course.

Earlier rain showers had left the track wet so the 23-car field began on wet tires – despite the rain having stopped – Guasch slipping a place to fifth after the green light at Turn 1 (Redgate) then to sixth after 15mins just ahead of title rivals Jim Geddie/Glynn Geddie (#10 Ferrari).

But with less than 30mins gone and with a drying "line" appearing, Guasch and the fifth placed #21 Ferrari collided at the Old Hairpin, the American immediately pitting with front bodywork damage.

Guasch rejoined in last place having lost two vital laps before handing over to Bell who took on "slick" tires and fuel on 45mins. A series of fast laps as the track continued to dry brought the #23 Audi up to 18th at one-third distance – but 12 places behind their main title rivals – Matt the fastest man on track.

The race resumed after the first safety car period (70mins) with Bell ninth, after a number of cars decided to pit during the caution, the hard-charging Briton gaining a further three places by mid-distance.

Bell pitted from fourth place on 96mins with Guasch resuming 10th after the team’s second compulsory stop moments before a second full course caution. A solid stint from the American saw him up to fourth when he made a third and final scheduled pit-stop with 49mins remaining, Bell resuming ninth and once again setting a string of fastest race laps – ultimately clocking the second fastest lap of the race.

A final safety car period with 15mins remaining allowed Bell to get within 8.684secs of sixth place but it was seventh for the #23 Audi at the checker. The #21 Ferrari (Griffin/Cameron) placed third in the race and thus demote Bell/Guasch a place to third in the championship standings with the similar 458 Italia of Geddie/Geddie (#10 Ferrari) recording fifth place to retain the title race lead.

#23 Molecule – Audi R8 LMS

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

"I was disappointed with my qualifying performance – I made a mistake on my best lap costing at least a tenth pushing too hard but importantly we had a good car for the race and started from row two. Unfortunately Mike made a small mistake in the wet and hit another car which put the hood up on the car so he had to pit for repairs. After that, it was just a case of pushing as hard as I could and regaining as many places as possible. Today has probably the hardest drive I have ever had – it was pretty difficult with some heart in mouth moments trying to overtake as the car was not right after the collision. Our result leaves Mike and I with a mountain to climb due to our main competition finishing ahead of us."

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

"Saturday was a challenge in that we needed to change the set-up between practice. Taking off the ‘dive planes’ set me back – Matt was able to adapt more quickly. I started the race in the rain on wets and had good pace. I braked a little late and ran up the back of the Ferrari, my front right corner into his rear left spinning him around. The hood flew up so I went straight to the pits and the guys put it back together the best they could in the minimum amount of time. Our pace was there today, we were just unfortunate."

#24 Teknavo – Audi R8 LMS

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

"I caught the curb on the inside at McLeans [corner] and pivoted around at high-speed. The gravel trap didn’t take any speed off and I impacted the small tire wall positioned just in front of the concrete barrier very hard. It was a big impact. I am gutted for Jay and the team. It was my first run on new tires and it was looking to be a quicker lap despite a couple of mistakes earlier in that lap."

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

"Without stating the obvious, it was hugely disappointing not to start the race – an event that should have suited the Audi perfectly in terms of the longer duration. Our R8 LMS had great balance in the opening practice but I struggled in the second one after we’d been forced to make changes to the car and I had an off myself at McLeans in that session. We’d made further changes to the set-up for qualifying so it was difficult for John who was pushing very hard with a car that he didn’t know particularly well in that set-up."

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

"We received a significant setback on Saturday morning between the two opening practice sessions when the scrutineers informed us that Audi Sport’s ‘endurance’ kit, featuring front ‘dive’ planes, were not eligible. We’d ran them in the Spa 24 Hours but apparently the kit was homologated for Blancpain but not FIA rules. That put us on the back foot as we’d ran both cars in this configuration at Snetterton on Thursday and all the drivers were delighted with the handling of the Audi. Having reverted back to the original [BGT] set-up, we then suffered a major blow when John [Bintcliffe] had an off early in qualifying which we subsequently found had damaged the chassis so we had to withdraw the car. Then in the race, Mike unfortunately contacted with a Ferrari. From that point, it was a recovery drive. Matt drove fantastically well – he was good in traffic, really aggressive and managed to pull a lap back which shows you what could have been. Our pit-stops were perfect, the team were spot on.."

(ends)

United Autosports

Audi R8 LMS

(ends)

Date of issue: Sunday September 25, 2011

* 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/setsFor further information, please contact:
Martyn Pass
Audi UK Sport Press
T +44 1564 824600
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United Autosports Set Sights On A Podium At Petit Le Mans

2011-09-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

Debut for the team in LMP2
First races in an LMP car for Brown and Patterson
Star driver Johansson brings valuable LMP experience

INDIANAPOLIS / LONDON: Sept. 23, 2011 – Next week, September 29 to October 1 2011, United Autosports will be at Road Atlanta for the world famous Petit Le Mans. This will be the Anglo-American team's first event racing Le Mans Prototype (LMP) cars.

United Autosports co-owner Zak Brown and his team-mate Mark Patterson will make their LMP debut at Road Atlanta. Joining them will be ex-F1 driver Stefan Johansson.

Johansson brings to the team a wealth of experience. In addition to a career in the FIA Formula One World Championship, Swedish-born Johansson is also a former Le Mans 24-hour winner and has contested the American Le Mans Series in both the LMP1 and LMP2 classes including a second place overall at Petit Le Mans in 2006.

For 2011, the hugely diverse United Autosports cadre have taken part in the FIA GT3 European Championship, British GT Championship, Daytona 24-hours, the Spa 24 hours and will now partner with the experienced and respected DAMS (Driot-Associés MotorSport) to race a Pescarolo-Judd LMP2 car in the greuling 10-hour Petit Le Mans.

A test for the team in July at Le Mans gave Brown and Johansson an opportunity to sample the car they and Patterson will share next week. With both drivers feeling positive at the end of the session, a podium at Petit Le Mans is certainly targeted.

Schedule: Wednesday September 28 – 14:45-16:45 Test session; Thursday September 29 – 10:00-11:00 Practice 1; 14:55-15:55 Practice 2; 19:00-21:00 Night practice; Friday September 30 – 10:15-11:15 Practice 3; 15:30-15:45 Qualifying (LMP1/LMP2); Saturday October 1 – 9:15-9:40 Warm up; 11:30 Race

All times are Eastern, US.

#22 – United Autosports Pescarolo-Judd LMP2

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

"I'm very much looking forward to my debut in a LMP2 car. I really enjoy driving with Stefan and Mark and think the United Autosports partnerships with DAMS should make for a competitive outing.

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

"Our challenge is to learn enough to get the most out of the car, as a class win guarantees a Le Mans grid spot - the ultimate cherry in sports car racing. Zak told me the biggest leap of faith is learning to trust the carbon brakes, which allow you to start slowing down well after your heart has already stopped - just so much deeper into the big corners than a steel brake car permits.

"I've studied coach Danny Watts' Road Atlanta notes like an 8 year old's multiplication tables the night before exams and hope that my maiden LMP bum-in-seat experience lasts more than a lap and ultimately quick lap times."

Stefan Johansson (SE). Age: 55. Born: Växjö, Sweden. Lives: Los Angeles, California, USA:

"Petit Le Mans has developed into one of the premier events in North American racing, together with Sebring for the sports car arena and it's great to be back there in a prototype.

"LMP is the type of racing I've been enjoying the most for the past ten years so I'm delighted to be back out in one. Zak and I tested the car at Le Mans earlier in the year and it felt very good. It's a pretty good car so we're looking forward to the weekend and hopefully we'll have a good run."

About United Autosports:

Co-owned by Zak Brown and Richard Dean, the US-owned, UK-based team was formed in late 2009 and contested the 2010 FIA GT3 European Championship with a brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars. Also competed in 24 Hours of Spa (finishing third & fourth in GT3 class on team's 24 race début), Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Zhuhai, China (third in GTC) and Macau (third GT Cup). Competes in the 2011 FIA GT3 European and Avon Tyres British GT Championships plus 24 Hours of Spa and Macau.

* Brown, Patterson and Johansson biographies plus team 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:
Jay Ashton
United Autosports
Mobile: +44 (0)7919 186291
Jay@unitedautosports.com
www.unitedautosports.com

Rising British GT Star Bell Selected For Prestigious Motor Racing Programme Of The Future

2011-09-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

· United Autosports’ young title aspirant in the spotlight after legendary motor racing club takes note of Northerner’s natural talent.

United Autosports’ Matt Bell has been selected as a British Racing Drivers’ Club “Rising Star”. The 21-year-old Newcastle-upon-Tyne youngster has been chosen after impressing officials of the BRDC – arguably the most exclusive club in motor racing.

The BRDC “Rising Stars” program is for drivers aged 24 or under and is considered the future of the club. Scouted from trackside, the BRDC “Rising Stars” is in effect the ‘Junior Members’ of the Club who take motor racing seriously and are aiming for a professional career in all forms of four-wheel racing.

Ex-Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton graduated up the motor racing ladder guided by the “Rising Star” scheme.

Having been spotted by members of the “Rising Stars” panel, Richmond-based Bell was recently invited to Silverstone for an informal meeting and has now been subsequently invited to become a “Rising Star” member.

Providing his career continues with upward momentum, Matt has the ability to stay on the scheme for another three years.

The BRDC owns and operates Silverstone, the circuit on the Buckinghamshire/Northamptonshire borders that stages the final round of the British GT Championship next month (October 7). Bell and American co-driver Mike Guasch have scored a win plus second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and 10th positions in the eight races to date and led the British GT Championship for almost four months.

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

"I’m delighted, if pleasantly surprised, to have been selected for the BRDC ‘Rising Stars’ programme. I’m only just coming to the end of my second full season in the sport and so to receive this type of recognition so early in my career is very unexpected! United Autosports has played a major role in allowing my career to get to this stage so I am extremely grateful to the team. I’ve raced with them in the FIA GT3 European Championship since 2010 and I’m in contention for the British GT Championship title with two races remaining. So I must thank UA Co-Owners Zak Brown and Richard Dean for the opportunity they handed me which in turn has allowed me to be noticed by the BRDC."

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

“Matt has done exceptionally well in such a short space of time. His first two seasons have marked him out as one to watch and the BRDC recognition is truly deserved. Having worked with Matt in GT's from day one, I am convinced his natural speed and unrelenting desire to learn and constantly improve himself will ultimately see him reach the top. I congratulate the BRDC for taking notice of Matt’s talent from this early stage and getting behind one of the UK's brightest talents in GT racing.”

(ends)

Date of issue: Friday September 23, 2011

* A Matt Bell biography is available on the United Autosports website http://www.unitedautosports.com/

* Matt Bell now has his own website
www.mattbellracing.com/

* Various Editorial Copyright Free photographs of Matt Bell 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.audi-press.co.uk
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports Brings Curtain Down On GRAND-AM Season In Style

2011-09-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

• United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing #23 Ford-Riley achieves fourth top-nine race finish from four starts• Mark Blundell earns best grid position of GRAND-AM season

Mark Blundell (GB) and Zak Brown (USA) brought the curtain down on a partial GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series by Crown Royal Cask No.16 season for United Autosports in style by recording seventh place in the season finale today (September 17).

The Anglo-American combination brought their United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing #23 Ford-Riley home a mere 5.157secs behind the EMCO Gears Classic race winners at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Blundell moved up one place to fourth on the opening lap around the 2.258-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio road course and briefly into third at the re-start of the first full course caution on 20mins before pitting to Brown during a second caution period Zak, who was fighting a fever throughout the weekend, resuming 10th with 30mins on the clock.

Blundell was back in the #23 Riley-Ford placed 11th after the race’s third caution on 51mins and was up to fourth place on 90mins.

Mark slipped three places to seventh on the same lap with just over an hour to run before making a final pit-stop during another caution period resuming ninth but was at the tail of a three-car dice for fourth place with 50mins remaining.

Blundell muscled the #23 up to fifth at the re-start of another caution, the top-five running nose to tail, before an eighth and final caution bunched the 29-car field for a final three minute dash to the checker which saw Mark slip two places to seventh after being nudged of the track in the closing laps.

United Autosports finished 13th in the Teams’ standings despite only contesting four races on the 12-race Rolex calendar. The United Autosports entry had previously recorded a fourth (Rolex 24 at Daytona), sixth (Grand Prix of Miami) and ninth (Canadian Tire 200 At The Glen).

Upcoming . . .

Penultimate round of the British GT Championship at Donington Park (England) on September 25 . . . American Le Mans Series debut at Road Atlanta (USA) on October 1 . . . final round of the BGT at Silverstone (England) on October 9 . . . final two FIA GT3 European Championship races, Zandvoort (Netherlands), October 15-16 . . . Macau GT Cup (China), November 20 . . .

#23 – UBS / Volley / IWI Watches – Riley-Ford

Qualifying: 5th Blundell, 1min 17.890secs (104.362mph). Race: 7th (+5.157secs P1)Mark Blundell (GB). Age: 45. Born: Barnet, England. Lives: Royston, England:“I’m very happy with today’s overall performance. Zak got stronger with every session over the past two days while the team did a great job once again. Our race pace was strong throughout and we were right in the mix up until the checker. Unfortunately I was given a nudge by the #9 car in the closing laps which caused me to lose out on a possible top-four so I feel disappointed for the team. I have really enjoyed racing in GRAND-AM. It’s been very competitive and I believe it’s an underrated series in the motorsport world. There are some top flight drivers and teams competing providing close wheel-to-wheel racing. Achieving a top-four at Daytona was brilliant and I must thank Zak [Brown] for giving me the opportunity.”

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

“Mark drove a fantastic race and the final result doesn’t show just how competitive we were today. I was recently asked what the racing highlight of my year has been and by far and away, it was the Rolex 24 at Daytona. We’ve had four races in partnership with Mike Shank. He’s been great as has the team to work with. After having a lot of fun in GRAND-AM this year, I’d love to do more and we are working on that.”

Mike Shank (USA), Team Owner of Michael Shank Racing:

“Working with United Autosports has been a great partnership from day one. Having Zak and Mark drive with us has been really exciting. We had a strong debut with our run to fourth at Daytona and we had the pace for another result like that today – if not the luck.”

(ends)

Riley DP

Roush-Yates prepared V8 Ford 5 liter modular engine, 4 cam, 4 valve, producing over 500hp. Rear-wheel-drive. Continental Tires. Weight: 2275lbs; 5 gears, paddle-shift gearbox. The Riley Technologies MK XXII is the most successful Daytona Prototype of all time.

United Autosports

Co-owned by Zak Brown and Richard Dean, the US-owned, UK-based team was formed in late 2009 and contested the 2010 FIA GT3 European Championship with a brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars. Also competed in 24 Hours of Spa (finishing third & fourth in GT3 class on team’s 24 race début), Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Zhuhai, China (third in GTC) and Macau (third GT Cup). Competes in the 2011 FIA GT3 European and Avon Tyres British GT Championships plus 24 Hours of Spa and Macau.

Michael Shank Racing

Since moving full-time to the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, Pataskala, Ohio-based Michael Shank Racing has taken three overall wins and 19 podium results, including second overall in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona as well as monopolizing the front row for the 2008 Rolex 24.

** Comprehensive Brown & Blundell biographies plus team profiles on United Autosports and Michael Shank Racing are available to download from the United Autosports website Date of issue: Saturday September 17, 2011

For further information, please contact:
Jay Ashton, Media Manager
United Autosports
M +44 7919 186291
E jay@unitedautosports.com

United Autosports Sets Sights On Immediately Retaking British GT Championship Lead

2011-09-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

• Bell & Guasch aiming for second victory in longest BGT race of season
• Team to play major role in three pit-stop, three-hour Donington GT race
• Blundell earns Anglo-American team best GRAND-AM start of the season

The penultimate round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship is staged at Donington Park (GB) on Sunday (September 25) with United Autosports determined to leave the historic British race venue back in the lead of the 10-race series.Matt Bell (GB) and Mike Guasch (USA) had led the series in their #23 Molecule Audi R8 LMS since winning round three until five minutes from the finish of round eight at Rockingham.

Guasch, challenging the #10 Ferrari of main title rivals Glynn Geddie/Jim Geddie for second place, slipped two positions in the fierce four-car battle for the runner-up spot which ultimately demoted Bell & Guasch to second place in the title race.The three-hour race featuring three, mandatory pit-stops at the fast, sweeping 2.5-mile Donington Park circuit is the longest on the BGT calendar and will finish in the twilight of evening.

It marks the first race at the track located near Nottingham for United Autosports, Guasch and the V10-engined Audi R8 LMS that has now won over 100 races worldwide since its race début in 2009.

Donington was the first permanent “parkland” circuit in England. It’s first motorcycle race took place on Whit Monday 1931 on the narrow lanes of the Donington Hall Estate. In 1933, the track was widened, made permanent and became a venue for Grand Prix car racing that decade. United Autosports tested at the venue earlier this month.

Avon Tyres British GT Championship (after eight rounds):1 Geddie/Geddie, 106.5-points
2 Matt Bell & Mike Guasch, 101.5pts
3 Griffin/Cameron, 91pts
21 John Bintcliffe & Jay Palmer, 23pts

Provisional Timetable:Saturday September 24 – 0900-1000 Practice 1; 1215-1315 Practice 2; 1700-1755 Qualifying
Sunday September 25 – 1135-1145 Warm-up; 1550-1850 Race

* All times are UK “local”

#23 Molecule – Audi R8 LMSMatt Bell (GB). Age: 21. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, T&W. Lives: Barningham, N. Yorks, England:“My first ever car race was at Donington in 2009 when I drove a Ginetta G20 at a ‘club’ event. Donington is a really fast, flowing circuit with great elevation and a lot of high-speed corners. In my opinion it is one of the best racing circuits in Britain. It’ll be a tough race but we looked competitive when we test there. I am really looking forward to going there and hopefully re-taking the championship lead.”

Michael Guasch (USA). Age: 53. Born: Palo Alto, California. Lives: Walnut Creek, California, USA: “Losing out on a top-three at Rockingham was hugely disappointing. I was faster than Geddie everywhere except the triple left hand sweeper. He was holding me up which then allowed the fourth and fifth placed Ferraris to catch us making it a four-car battle for second place. Geddie seemed slow away from Turn 3, I was on his bumper but had to back off momentarily but that’s all it took for me to get overtaken by two cars. The competition is so close, there is no room for any loss of time or errors. I’m not sure how our pace at Donington will compare to Ferrari. With it being a three hour, three pit-stop race the result could all be down to the less mistakes made during the pit-stops.”

#24 Teknavo – Audi R8 LMSJohn Bintcliffe (GB). Age: 45. Born: Bridlington, E. Yorks. Lives: Harrogate, N. Yorkshire, England.
“We did some set up work when we tested at Donington earlier this month while of course it’s a place I raced an Audi A4 in the British Touring Car Championship so I know my around the place pretty much. So long as the weather is kind allowing us to get a good set-up in practice then we should be in for a good race.”

Jay Palmer (GB). Age: 38. Born: Harrogate. Lives: Harrogate & London, England / Barbados.
“I have raced there several times I have always found it to be a great track and am really looking forward to racing the Audi with the upgrade kit on it. We ran at Donington this month and I was delighted with the handling of the Audi so I’m very much looking forward to racing there. It is a three hour race and normally the longer event favors the R8 LMS.”

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:“Donington, three hours, mandatory three pit-stops which is unusual in the BGT so a lot of team work will have to come into play. We have done a test at Donington which was good. It is a high downforce track which the Ferrari 458 suits but hopefully as a team, we can claw some time back during the pit-stops.”

Photo courtesy of John Dagys

United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing #23 Ford-Riley lines-up fifth on grid for GRAND-AM finaleThe United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing #23 Ford-Riley of Mark Blundell (GB) and Zak Brown (USA) starts the EMCO Gears Classic race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course from fifth on the 29-car grid tomorrow (September 17).Blundell set a personal fastest time of 1min 17.890secs, an average speed of 104.362mph around the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course in today’s 15mins time trials. Blundell, who had been on the front row briefly, was demoted from a second row start in the closing minutes but nevertheless achieved the #23 car’s best qualifying performance of the season.

The 2.75hr race, scheduled to begin 3pm (Eastern), is the final round in this year’s GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series by Crown Royal Cask No.16.

#23 – UBS / Volley / IWI Watches – Riley-FordQualifying: 5th Blundell, 1min 17.890secs (104.362mph).
Mark Blundell (GB). Age: 45. Born: Barnet, England. Lives: Royston, England:
“I’m reasonably happy with qualifying – the team did a great job with all the guys working hard. We improved the car and I think we could have gone quicker but I spun pushing too hard. Zak and I start from a good grid position and we’ve a good racecar. It’s going to be a tough and grueling race.”

Zak Brown (USA). Age: 39. Born: Los Angeles, California, USA. Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:
“Mark did a fantastic job in qualifying and it shows how far we’ve all come if we’re a little disappointed with a P5 start. I’m looking forward to see what the race brings us.”

Mike Shank (USA), Team Owner of Michael Shank Racing:“I’m super happy with the progress that Mark and Zak made with the 23 car. We’re P5 by a hundredth of a second. It looks like we’re in pretty good shape for the race.”

(ends)

United AutosportsCreated 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 1,305kg. 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.

(ends)

Date of issue: Friday September 16, 2011
* Bell, Bintcliffe, Blundell, Brown, 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 at Donington Park, please contact:

Jay Ashton
M +44 7919 186291
E jay@unitedautosports.com
www.audi-press.co.uk
www.unitedautosports.com

For further information on-event at Mid-Ohio, please contact:

Matt Cleary
Sunday Group Management
M 317.908.2975
E media@sundaymanagement.com

Anglo-American Team Aims For “High Five” Finish To Close Partial GRAND-AM Season In Style

2011-09-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

• United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing #23 Ford-Riley lines-up for fourth GA race of the year.

Mark Blundell (GB) and Zak Brown (USA) contest the final round of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 race aiming for a top-five finish.

Brown and Blundell pilot the United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing #23 Ford-Riley in the EMCO Gears Classic series finale staged at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday (September 17).

The United Autosports entry has previously recorded a fourth (Rolex 24 at Daytona), sixth (Grand Prix of Miami) and ninth (Canadian Tire 200 At The Glen) in what is the Anglo-American team’s maiden foray in GRAND-AM.

United Autosports is placed 12th in the Teams’ standings with Blundell and Brown 16th & 18th in the Drivers’ championship respectively despite contesting less than 25% or the calendar.

The 2.258-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio road course holds a special place for Michael Shank Racing as the track is the site of the team’s original formation. In last year’s corresponding race, MSR finished second and fourth having led 14 laps.

Provisional Timetable:

Friday September 16 – 1115-1145 Practice; 1430-1500 Practice; 1645-1700 Qualifying
Saturday September 17 – 0840-0910 Practice; 1500-1745 Race

* All times are “local”

#23 – Riley-Ford

Mark Blundell (GB). Age: 45. Born: Barnet, England. Lives: Royston, England:

“I’ve raced Champcar at Mid-Ohio on five previous occasions. It’s a complex track and very physical. Zak and I had a productive test there last month and were happy with our performance but know there is more to find. Qualifying will be vital in terms of getting a good race result. Watkins Glen was a tough weekend but gave us a better understanding of both the car and tires for this race. I would love for Zak and I to record a top-five finish to round off our GRAND-AM season.”

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

“I’ve only previously raced at Mid-Ohio on one occasion, back in 1998 in Toyota Atlantics. It’s a challenging track with few overtaking opportunities. I’ve tested the #23 Riley-Ford twice at the circuit in the last month which makes me think we'll have a better race at Mid-Ohio compared to Watkins Glen. My aim is to finish off the season with a top-five.”

Mike Shank (USA), Team Owner of Michael Shank Racing:

“We are very excited to get back to Mid-Ohio and to have two cars including the #23 Riley-Ford in United colors for the finale. We almost won it there last year and finished really well with both cars. We’ve tested at Mid-Ohio and I think we are in good shape with both cars so I’m very optimistic about the weekend.”

ends)

Riley DP

Roush-Yates prepared V8 Ford 5 liter modular engine, 4 cam, 4 valve, producing over 500hp. Rear-wheel-drive. Continental Tires. Weight: 2275lbs; 5 gears, paddle-shift gearbox. The Riley Technologies MK XXII is the most successful Daytona Prototype of all time.

United Autosports

Co-owned by Zak Brown and Richard Dean, the US-owned, UK-based team was formed in late 2009 and contested the 2010 FIA GT3 European Championship with a brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars. Also competed in 24 Hours of Spa (finishing third & fourth in GT3 class on team’s 24 race début), Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Zhuhai, China (third in GTC) and Macau (third GT Cup). Competes in the 2011 FIA GT3 European and Avon Tyres British GT Championships plus 24 Hours of Spa and Macau.

Michael Shank Racing

Since moving full-time to the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, Pataskala, Ohio-based Michael Shank Racing has taken three overall wins and 19 podium results, including second overall in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona as well as monopolizing the front row for the 2008 Rolex 24.

** Comprehensive Brown & Blundell biographies plus team profiles on United Autosports and Michael Shank Racing are available to download from the United Autosports website
*** Photos attached courtesy of John Dagys
Date of issue: Friday September 9, 2011

For further information, please contact:

Jay Ashton, Media Manager
United Autosports
M +44 7919 186291
E jay@unitedautosports.com

For further information on-event, please contact:

Matt Cleary
Sunday Group Management
M 317.908.2975 (m)
E media@sundaymanagement.com
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports announces McLaren campaign for 2012

2011-09-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

• Pair of new McLaren MP4-12C GT3s to be entered for full 2012 season
• Five race Blancpain Endurance Series campaign also announced
• Team to return to the famous Spa 24 Hours for a third consecutive year
• Notable driver line up already takes shape

United Autosports today marked the next stage in its development as the team announced key details of its plans for a fresh assault on the 2012 season. The Anglo-American race team, established 18 months ago, will enjoy a new manufacturer relationship and switch to longer distance events as its core activities. The team will be equipped with a pair of new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 cars for a full season entry in the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series.

The 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series will see United Autosports contest the headlining GT3 class with its new McLarens contending for both class and overall wins in a season due to feature five races, four over three hours in duration, and the fifth the world famous and increasingly important 24 Hours of Spa.

A typically entertaining and thoroughbred driver line-up is in place and will feature an entry in both the Professional driver and Pro/Am classes of the Blancpain series. In typical United Autosports style, the squad is sure to attract the attention of the world's motorsport media. Full details of the driver line-up will be announced in the coming weeks.

With the 2012 calendar still to be confirmed the series is expected once again to feature world class circuits and packed grids, while the United Autosports McLarens look set to be matched against a number of high profile entries including teams fielding Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW and AMG Mercedes GT3 cars.

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

"I'm absolutely thrilled to join the Blancpain Series next year with McLaren. I have done a lot of business with them over the years in Formula One and admire their success, so consider them great partners.“The new car looks awesome and is very quick. I can’t wait to see two McLarens in United colours next year.”

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

“The combination of a new racing challenge in the Blancpain series and a pair of very exciting new cars is a mouth-watering prospect. Combined with our driver line-up, it should give us everything we need to make the next big step forward, to compete for regular major results.

“We want to continue to build both the capabilities and the results for United Autosports and this link with McLaren is a perfect fit for a British based team with a high quality and very high profile British marque.

“The McLaren GT team have a high benchmark in terms of the support and customer service we have enjoyed over the past two seasons from Audi. That we have made the decision to run the McLarens in 2012 though should be seen both as a vote of confidence in the package and a statement of intent for the future.”

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO said: "I am delighted United Autosports will be racing the MP4-12C GT3 in 2012. I know the team is looking forward to receiving a GT car full of Formula 1 technology, and we are committed to ensuring ownership of the 12C GT3 is as enjoyable as racing it."

(ends)

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 currently fields Audi R8 LMS GT3 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 is competing 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), the Macau GT Cup race (China) and a one-off appearance in the Petit Le Mans round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Road Atlanta (USA).

Mclaren MP4-12C GT3

• Twin turbocharged, 3.8 litre V8 M838T Mclaren engine, 493 bhp (500 PS).
• Bespoke 6 speed sequential shift transmission.
• Unique carbon fibre ‘MonoCell’ chassis.
• Carbon fibre body incorporating front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffuser and front fender louvres.
• F1 steering wheel (as used on MP4-24 F1 car).

(ends)

Date of issue: Thursday September 8, 2011

* Team profile, driver biographies are available on the United Autosports website http://www.unitedautosports.com/
For further information, please contact:
For further information on-event, please contact:

Jay Ashton
M +44 7919 186291
E jay@unitedautosports.com
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports Aims To Bounce Back After Bad Luck At Rockingham

2011-09-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

United Autosports Aims To Bounce Back After Bad Luck At Rockingham
• Guasch earns first career GT pole, maiden pole for UA and Audi in BGT
• Best combined qualifying positions of the season for Anglo-American team
• Bell & Guasch lose British GT Championship lead

Matt Bell (GB) and Mike Guasch (USA) will aim to retake the lead of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship in the penultimate race of the season after the Anglo-American “combo” suffered plain bad luck in the latest races today (September 4).

Bell and Guasch had led the championship since May in their United Autosports Audi R8 LMS but despite starting both of today’s two, one-hour races at Rockingham (GB) from the front row, now find themselves trailing by five-points in the 10 race series.

Guasch had earned United Autosports and Audi its first British GT Championship pole-position when the American clocked the fastest time midway through the 15mins qualifying session on Saturday but a problem at the start of Race One cruelly forced Guasch to start from the back of the grid.

Meanwhile Team Co-Owner Richard Dean “engineered” the #24 Teknavo Audi R8 LMS in the absence of regular engineer Paul Haigh who was unwell in a two-race weather-affected program.

Avon Tyres British GT Championship (after eight rounds):
1 Geddie/Geddie, 106.5-points

2 Matt Bell & Mike Guasch, 101.5pts

3 Griffin/Cameron, 91pts

21 John Bintcliffe & Jay Palmer, 23pts

Upcoming...

GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 finale at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (USA) on September 17...penultimate round of the BGT at Donington Park (England) on September 25...final round of the BGT at Silverstone (England) on October 9...final two FIA GT3 European Championship races, Zandvoort (Netherlands), October 15-16...Macau GT Cup (China), November 20...

Race 1 (duration 60mins)

Qualifying: 1st #23 Guasch, 1m 19.750s; 9th #24 Palmer, 1m 21.919s. Weather: Dry, overcast.

Race Result: 10th (#23), +1 lap. 14th (#24), +1 lap. Weather: Damp/overcast/wet.

Guasch was due to start from pole with Palmer ninth – equaling Jay’s best start position – but disaster struck both UA cars before the race had even started. Guasch was slow away from the “dummy grid” due to a brake malfunction so had to start from the back of the grid. Meanwhile Palmer spun on the installation lap, the two Audis completing lap one in 18th and 19th positions in the 20-car field.

Palmer served a drive-through penalty – for work (changing from wets to slick tires) being carried out on the car two minutes before the race start – then pitted again almost immediately for wet tires as it began to rain – Guasch quickly following suit.

With 15mins run, the #23 Molecule Audi was one of the fastest cars on the track in 13th, Palmer placed 17th having overshot the Dene Hairpin.

Bell took over the 12th placed #23 on 25mins – and took on ‘new “wets” – with Bintcliffe climbing aboard the #24 in 16th moments later.

The rain eased and had stopped with 15mins to run which saw Bell setting impressive times en route to a hard earned 10th place – four positions ahead of Bintcliffe who, like Palmer, drove solidly in the difficult conditions.

Race 2 (duration 60mins)

Qualifying: 2nd #23 Bell, 1m 18.831s; 8th #24 Bintcliffe, 1m 19.789s. Weather: Dry, overcast.

Race Result: 5th (#23), +6.333secs. 9th (#24), +79.367secs. Weather: Damp/overcast, drying.

Bell claimed his second front row start of the season while Bintcliffe produced his season best qualifying performance to put the #24 Teknavo Audi on row four. Matt briefly led before spending the majority of the opening 20mins placed third with John, spinning down from seventh 10mins in, running 10th and then ninth prior to his pit-stop.

Guasch and Palmer took over the #23 and #24 cars with 25mins remaining on the drying track placed fourth and 10th with all of the pit-stops completed.

Guasch pressed for second place in the closing stages but slipped two places to fifth with just four minutes remaining while Palmer took ninth at the flag.

#23 Molecule – Audi R8 LMS

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

“Claiming a front row start was a good result but I was still slightly disappointed with my performance as I believe I could have done better. We changed to a new set of wets when I took over from Mike in Race One and it definitely helped. I concentrated on catching as many cars as possible after our early race problems. It was good to score a point but obviously a great shame not to have bagged more. The track still had damp patches in the early stages of the second race which made the opening laps tricky. I made a mistake going into the chicane at the end of the opening lap and ran wide. It was a frustrating race and disappointing result. All in all not a great day.”

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

“It was very nice to get my first GT career pole, the team’s first-ever pole and the first for Audi in BGT. The team has worked hard all season and it finally paid off. It had been eight weeks since the last race so it was real useful to have a test at Donington before arriving here but then things turned sour for us. Race One was very disappointing. I went to pull away for the final installation lap and the Audi would not move. I let out the clutch but it just drowned. I switched the engine on and off but still it wouldn’t move off the grid. I eventually got going but had to start from the back. I began on slicks, rolling the dice that it would dry up but it didn’t and it started raining so pitted for wets. In race two, I battled hard with a Ferrari after taking over from Matt but all the time was losing ground on the leaders. Four cars were nose to tail across the finishing line within seconds of each other. We lost out on scoring some points today and with it the championship lead but we are still in the running.”

#24 Teknavo – Audi R8 LMS

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

“We tested at Donington on Thursday and were very pleased with the R8 LMS but that set-up didn’t suit the Audi here at Rockingham so we copied the #23 Audi’s settings for qualifying which transformed the handling. I have never driven the car in the wet but was running times comparable with the front guys towards the end of the opening race which was pleasing. This season is a learning year for us. Unlike our ‘sister’ Audi, we didn’t change tires at the pit-stop and I don’t know whether that caused a vibration in the closing stages. In Race Two, I made a good start but if anything was too cautious in the opening stages. I went onto the grass at one stage dicing with Simonsen. The Audi was quite hard to drive. For Jay and I, the fact that we were battling with guys who win races was a real milestone today.”

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

“I made a couple of mistakes on my quickest lap in qualifying but was essentially happy with the Audi. We decided to start Race One on slicks because the track looked like it was drying but the gamble didn’t pay off. I spun on the warm-up lap then got a drive through penalty because I came back into the pits after the initial formation lap to change tires. It was then a case of chasing the pack. It was a disappointing result. It was the first time I’d been out on wet tires and so it was a learning process. I got caught up behind a Ferrari immediately after taking over from John in Race Two which held me up for about eight laps. I then had a battle with an Aston which I managed to stave off which was good fun. It was very tiring and I was glad to finish. Overall it was a pleasing result.”

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

“I’m disappointed because we had two front row starts, were fast enough to win in both races, but have little to show in terms of race results and have lost the championship lead. Mike, who was faster than the leader, had a huge battle in race two for second place. He got out-fumbled trying to make a pass after being held up. In Race One we should have started from pole, were undecided on tires but went with the majority and began on slicks. It ultimately proved to be the wrong decision. To compound matters, Mike couldn’t get off the line on the parade lap so he started from the back. That was a depressing scenario from what had been an excellent qualifying performance by both cars. Jay and John both battled hard in difficult track and weather conditions that neither had faced before in the Audi. So we must all regroup and now focus on retaking the championship lead at Donington.”

(ends)

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 1,305kg. 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.

(ends)

Date of issue: Sunday September 4, 2011

* 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.audi-press.co.uk
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports Look To Maintain Championship Lead As BGT Resumes After Summer Break

2011-08-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

· Bell & Guasch revved-up for final stages of championship title push

· Bintcliffe & Palmer aim for another top-five finish on team's first-ever Rockingham race visit

The Avon Tyres British GT Championship roars back into action after an eight-week summer lay-off with United Autosports’ series leading duo Matt Bell (GB) and Mike Guasch (USA) hungry to add to their already impressive points haul.

Bell & Guasch enjoy a slender two-point lead with four races remaining – which includes the two, one-hour races at Rockingham.

The event marks the first time United Autosports and the Audi R8 LMS have ever raced on the 1.94-mile track near Corby, Northamptonshire, but Bell and Guasch are eager to add to their impressive results tally; victory (Snetterton), second (Oulton Park), third (Oulton Park), fourth and sixth placings (both Spa).

Meanwhile racing returnees John Bintcliffe and Jay Palmer are aiming to improve on their best placing of fifth place (Snetterton) to haul themselves inside the championship top-10 in what is the Anglo-American team’s maiden BGT season.

A field in excess of 22 cars is expected at Rockingham with 16 of them contesting the top-level GT3 category. Rockingham’s twin races are the last one-hour events on the British GT calendar: in late September the crews face their toughest test of the year, a three-hour classic at Donington Park, which will be followed by a two-hour curtain closer at Silverstone in October.

Avon Tyres British GT Championship (after six rounds):

1 Matt Bell & Mike Guasch, 90.5-points

2 Geddie/Geddie, 88.5pts

3 Griffin/Cameron, 76pts

12 John Bintcliffe & Jay Palmer, 23pts

Provisional Timetable:

Saturday September 3 – 0900-1000 Practice 1; 1145-1245 Practice; 1620-1655 Qualifying

Sunday September 4 – 1000-1010 Warm-up; 1250-1350 Race 1; 1625-1725 Race 2

* 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 had two rounds of the FIA GT3 series plus the Spa 24 Hours to keep me busy since the last BGT race. I raced at Rockingham in last season’s Ginetta G50 Championship but tested the Audi pre-season there this year. The title race is very close so Mike and I must avoid any non-scores. That said, we’ll focus on winning rather than settling for points. We have some very experienced and quick competitors chasing us, so if we take our foot off the gas it will give them the upper hand heading into the final races. I would prefer to be at the top heading into the last round than chasing the leaders!”

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

“I have twice tested at Rockingham, neither occasion in the R8 LMS, and found the track fun to drive. It has a little bit of everything – tight and technical turns plus high-speed ones and I believe the Audi will work well there. Since Spa, I’ve been testing my Pro Formula Mazda back home in California to stay in shape and will also take in a Formula Car Challenge Race at Infineon Raceway in California this coming weekend. The BGT Championship appears to get more competitive with every race. We must push hard, especially in qualifying.”

#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.

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

“Our team has been busy since Spa BGT, taking in two FIA races at Paul Ricard, the Spa 24 Hours, and then another two FIA races in Slovakia. We also competed in a GRAND-AM race at Watkins Glen, so have been busy both sides of the Atlantic. This event will mark United Autosports’ first races at Rockingham and happens to be the only track in the UK that I haven't personally raced at. We tested there earlier in the year but unfortunately our running was restricted by fog! We have led the British series since May but haven't won since May so I think that confirms points mean prizes. We must be mindful of strong finishes are preferable to going for individual glory. I believe our pace is getting better and the Balance of Performance is getting more even as the season progresses. Rockingham should suit the Audi so I think two podiums are within our reach.”

(ends)

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 1,305kg. 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.

(ends)

Date of issue: Friday August 26, 2011

* 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.audi-press.co.uk
www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports To Compete At World Famous Petit Le Mans

2011-08-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS / LONDON: August 19, 2011 – United Autosports announced today it will debut an OAK RACING Pescarolo-Judd LMP2 car with technical support provided by DAMS (Driot-Associés MotorSport) in the LMP2 Class during the legendary Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, Sept. 28-Oct. 1. The grueling 1,000-mile, 10-hour race spectacle serves as the penultimate round of the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in the American Le Mans Series.

Co-owners Zak Brown (USA) and Richard Dean (GB) expect United Autosports to be a major contender in LMP2 at Road Atlanta and have assembled a formidable driver line up. Brown will be accompanied by FIA GT3 European Championship regular Mark Patterson (USA), who will also be making his LMP2 debut. The American duo of Brown and Patterson teamed up earlier in the year with former GP drivers and 24 Hours of Le Mans winners Mark Blundell (GB) and Martin Brundle (GB) to earn fourth place in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Former F1 driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans race winner Stefan Johansson (SE) will round out the trio of talent as United Autosports sets their sights on the Petit Le Mans podium.

“Road Atlanta is a legendary track and this year’s entrants are top-shelf; I speak for all of the United Autosports drivers when I say that we are thrilled to be a part of this field and eager to get out there and run against some of the top Le Mans Prototype teams in the world,” said United Autosports co-owner Richard Dean. “This is a prime opportunity for us because ultimately it’s our goal to get to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so we are looking forward to going out there and shaking this field up a little bit.”

United Autosports will be part of the largest and most elite field ever at Petit Le Mans which covers a maximum of 1,000 miles (1,600 km) (which is approximately 394 laps) or a maximum of 10 hours, whichever comes first. Class winners of this event receive an automatic invitation to the following year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.

(ends)

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.

(ends)

Comprehensive driver biographies plus team & car profiles are available on the United Autosports website www.unitedautosports.com
Library photographs can be downloaded at www.flickr.com/unitedautosports/sets
Regular updates during practice, qualifying and the race can be viewed via Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/UnitedAutosport) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com
/unitedautosport)

For further information, please contact:
Jay Ashton
United Autosports
Jay@unitedautosports.com
www.unitedautosports.com

John Ewert
JMI, VP Communications – Americas
Direct +1 317 344 1866
Mobile +1 317 457 9194
jewert@justmarketing.com
www.justmarketing.com