United Autosports Aiming High For European Championship Grand Finalé

·       Audi “official” customer team will arrive in Belgium on crest of a wave 

United Autosports aims to sign off from its maiden FIA GT3 European Championship campaign in style when it contests the final two races of the season at Zolder (Belgium) next month (October 10).

Formed earlier this season, the American-owned team found the opening rounds of the ultra-competitive 12-race series unsurprisingly difficult – entirely predictable considering its one British and three American drivers had not seen, let alone raced, at almost all of the demanding and technical European tracks.

The unfavorable “Balance of Power” restrictions implemented from the start of the season in May on the Audi R8 LMS sports car, which had won the 2009 FIA GT3 title in its début year, by the series organizers additionally caused the British-based team to struggle in terms of outright pace.

But with the Audi’s performance handicap reduced, United Autosports immediately made its mark at the most recent races in Portugal (September 18-19). Zak Brown (USA), Chairman and Co-Owner of United Autosports plus driver of the #23 Audi, achieved the team’s best ever qualifying position (second place). Co-driver Matt Bell (GB) and #22 Audi pilot Michael Guasch (USA) both claimed their personal best qualifying positions (sixth). Guasch and #22 co-driver Mark Patterson (USA) netted United Autosports’ maiden championship point in Race 1 (10^th). Then Brown and Bell combined to score a fabulous rostrum finish (third) in Race 2.

These stunning results mean United Autosports heads for Belgium and the final two 60-minute races, unusually staged on the same day, on the crest of a wave. The Circuit Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlaemen, is an undulating 2.492-mile track in Heusden-Zolder, positioned 50-mile west of Brussels.

Built in 1963, Zolder hosted the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix on 10 occasions in the 1970s and ‘80s when the F1 “circus” deemed Spa-Francorchamps, a venue where United Autosports finished third and fourth (GT3) in the 24 Hour race this summer, too fast and dangerous.

Provisional Timetable:

Saturday October 9

09:05-10:05        Practice 1

13:05-14:05        Practice 2

17:00-17:50        Qualifying

Sunday October 10

10:30-11:30        Race 1

16:00-17:00        Race 2

* Local times

 

#22 Molecule / Cerutti – Audi R8 LMS

Michael Guasch (USA).  Lives: Walnut Creek, California, USA:

“Despite never having been to Zolder, after our best finish and showing yet in the series in our last races [Algarve], I am very, very excited about the Zolder races.  Now with the Audi being competitive, we should have a very good chance of a top-10 placing again at the very least.”  

Mark Patterson (USA).  Lives: Bronxville, New York State, USA: 

“With the series’ homologation efforts now largely in balance, the top-10 features; a great cross section of top class brands. This gives us great hope for Audi doing as well as we did in Portugal last month but there’s real depth of high quality drivers and this series produces seriously exciting races. I’ve only previously ‘visited’ Zolder on YouTube. Any racing fatality makes an impact on all of us emotionally, especially when greats like Gilles Villeneuve are taken away. The only silver lining is track and vehicle safety improvements derived from these tragedies.”

#23 Remington – Audi R8 LMS

Zak Brown (USA).  Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:

“Our team’s performance has improved with every race and we arrive in Belgium fresh from achieving our best qualifying and race results of the season. Portugal gave me the greatest pleasure so far – our podium and a front row qualifying position was pretty cool. I'm optimistic we can further improve and get both cars in the points and on to the podium. The championship is a lot tougher than I expected but we’ve made huge progress. I raced at Zolder about 16 years ago in an Opel Lotus single-seater. From what I recall, it was a fun but dangerous track for the brave!”

Matthew Bell (GB). Lives: Barningham nr Richmond, North Yorkshire, England:

“It’s always a challenge going to a new circuit but I’m very hopeful that we can be as competitive in Belgium as we were at Portimão and claim more points to finish the season off on a high note haul. Our Portimão podium has given me a taste of success and I want more. I’m hoping we can keep the momentum going forward in the final rounds.”

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

“The drivers [once again] do not know the [Zolder] circuit but it should suit the Audi R8 LMS. It is very, very hard on brakes and that is one of the Audi’s strong points. I hope the drivers can build on our Portimão positives and carry this new found confidence with them in to Zolder.

“I have been to Zolder several times with my previous Formulae Ford and Renault teams but only ever raced there once, in a 24 hour GT race driving a Ginetta two years ago. Unfortunately, Zolder is probably best remembered as the place Gilles Villeneuve lost his life during qualifying at the 1982 Belgian GP. I think that had an impact on everybody in motorsport. I love the circuit but hate the inappropriately pathetic tribute to Villeneuve placed closed to the circuit’s race control building.”

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

V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, emission control by two racing catalytic converters, rear-wheel-drive, traction control (ASR), sequential pneumatic activated 6-speed sport gearbox with shift-paddles, Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum with bolted steel roll-cage, carbon-fiber composite/aluminum bodywork, Michelin radial tires. Start weight 1,335kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won FIA GT3 European Championship, ADAC-GT Masters and Belgian GT Championship plus Nürburgring 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours class victories in début 2009 season scoring a total 23 victories. United Autosports achieved third and fourth places on the team’s 24 hour race début in the 2010 Spa 24 Hours and its first FIA GT3 European Championship top-three finish in Portugal (19 Sep).

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

Qualifying 1 - 2010 Round 5 - Algarve

Results: 2010 Round 5 - Algarve

Qualifying 1
Pos	Car	Class	Drivers	Car	Time	Laps	Gap	Avg speed
1	101	GT3	Keilwitz	Corvette Z06R GT3	01:46.422	5	0	0
2	23	GT3	Brown	Audi R8 LMS	01:46.575	9	0.153	0
3	61	GT3	van Splunteren	Porsche 911 GT3 R	01:46.642	6	0.22	0
4	11	GT3	Vannelet	Porsche 911 GT3 R	01:46.953	5	0.531	0
5	87	GT3	Petrobelli	Ferrari 430 Scuderia	01:47.106	4	0.684	0
6	22	GT3	Guasch	Audi R8 LMS	01:47.176	11	0.754	0
7	77	GT3	Walter	BMW Z4	01:47.284	9	0.862	0
8	16	GT3	Lambotte	Corvette Z06R GT3	01:47.385	6	0.963	0
9	14	GT3	Eskelinen	Ford GT	01:47.484	6	1.062	0
10	4	GT3	Bonifacio	Audi R8 LMS	01:47.619	8	1.197	0
11	60	GT3	Lappalainen	Porsche 911 GT3 R	01:47.663	4	1.241	0
12	99	GT3	Lesoudier	Ford GT	01:47.898	7	1.476	0
13	76	GT3	Söderlund	BMW Z4	01:48.234	8	1.812	0
14	98	GT3	De Doncker	Ford GT	01:48.415	8	1.993	0
15	1	GT3	Rodrigues	Aston Martin DBRS9	01:48.531	9	2.109	0
16	3	GT3	Demoustier	Audi R8 LMS	01:48.566	5	2.144	0
17	33	GT3	Breslin	Audi R8 LMS	01:48.660	8	2.238	0
18	32	GT3	Breslin	Audi R8 LMS	01:48.881	8	2.459	0
19	88	GT3	Charveriat	Ferrari 430 Scuderia	01:48.896	6	2.474	0
20	5	GT3	Hirschi	Audi R8 LMS	01:48.955	9	2.533	0
21	100	GT3	Ritskes	Corvette Z06R GT3	01:49.352	7	2.93	0
22	2	GT3	Paillard	Aston Martin DBRS9	01:49.369	6	2.947	0

Session Notes
Weather	sunny
Track conditions	dry

Qualifying 2 - 2010 Round 5 - Algarve

Results: 2010 Round 5 - Algarve

Qualifying 2
Pos	Car	Class	Drivers	Car	Time	Laps	Gap	Avg speed
1	5	GT3	Guilvert	Audi R8 LMS	01:45.423	6	0	0
2	99	GT3	Martin	Ford GT	01:45.460	5	0.037	0
3	33	GT3	Seiffarth	Audi R8 LMS	01:45.616	5	0.193	0
4	4	GT3	Ammermüller	Audi R8 LMS	01:45.714	6	0.291	0
5	61	GT3	Holzer	Porsche 911 GT3 R	01:45.861	5	0.438	0
6	23	GT3	Bell	Audi R8 LMS	01:46.095	7	0.672	0
7	87	GT3	Alessi	Ferrari 430 Scuderia	01:46.104	5	0.681	0
8	101	GT3	Hohenadel	Corvette Z06R GT3	01:46.110	4	0.687	0
9	100	GT3	Retera	Corvette Z06R GT3	01:46.129	7	0.706	0
10	98	GT3	Beche	Ford GT	01:46.159	9	0.736	0
11	1	GT3	Makowiecki	Aston Martin DBRS9	01:46.388	4	0.965	0
12	77	GT3	Hürtgen	BMW Z4	01:46.442	5	1.019	0
13	60	GT3	Palttala	Porsche 911 GT3 R	01:46.536	6	1.113	0
14	76	GT3	Sandström	BMW Z4	01:46.609	5	1.186	0
15	14	GT3	Gruber	Ford GT	01:46.624	9	1.201	0
16	16	GT3	Parisy	Corvette Z06R GT3	01:46.637	5	1.214	0
17	11	GT3	Lanik	Porsche 911 GT3 R	01:46.666	5	1.243	0
18	2	GT3	Accary	Aston Martin DBRS9	01:47.092	5	1.669	0
19	3	GT3	Heyer	Audi R8 LMS	01:47.325	7	1.902	0
20	22	GT3	Patterson	Audi R8 LMS	01:47.442	9	2.019	0
21	88	GT3	Hollings	Ferrari 430 Scuderia	01:47.499	7	2.076	0
22	32	GT3	Mehta	Audi R8 LMS	01:55.758	6	10.335	0

Session Notes
Weather	sunny
Track conditions	dry

Race 2 Result - 2010 Round 5 - Algarve

Results: 2010 Round 5 - Algarve

Race 2 Result
Pos	Car	Class	Drivers	Car	Time	Laps	Gap	Avg speed
1	101	GT3	Keilwitz/Hohenadel	Corvette Z06R GT3	1:01:48.743	33	0.000	0
2	61	GT3	van Splunteren/Holzer	Porsche 911 GT3 R	1:01:55.345	33	6.602	0
3	23	GT3	Brown/Bell	Audi R8 LMS	1:01:57.099	33	8.356	0
4	99	GT3	Lesoudier/Martin	Ford GT	1:01:59.022	33	10.279	0
5	1	GT3	Rodrigues/Makowiecki	Aston Martin DBRS9	1:02:02.917	33	14.174	0
6	77	GT3	Walter/Hürtgen	BMW Z4	1:02:07.997	33	19.254	0
7	11	GT3	Vannelet/Lanik	Porsche 911 GT3 R	1:02:08.622	33	19.879	0
8	100	GT3	Ritskes/Retera	Corvette Z06R GT3	1:02:13.749	33	25.006	0
9	60	GT3	Lappalainen/Palttala	Porsche 911 GT3 R	1:02:18.929	33	30.186	0
10	98	GT3	De Doncker/Beche	Ford GT	1:02:19.361	33	30.618	0
11	33	GT3	Breslin/Seyffarth	Audi R8 LMS	1:02:34.991	33	46.248	0
12	88	GT3	Charveriat/Hollings	Ferrari 430 Scuderia	1:02:35.970	33	47.227	0
13	76	GT3	Söderlund/Sandström	BMW Z4	1:02:39.348	33	50.605	0
14	22	GT3	Guasch/Patterson	Audi R8 LMS	1:02:43.237	33	54.494	0
15	2	GT3	Paillard/Accary	Aston Martin DBRS9	1:01:49.836	32	1.093	1
16	6	GT3	Demay/Lorgere-Roux	Audi R8 LMS	1:02:20.631	32	31.888	1
17	12	GT3	Häring/Konstantinou	Porsche 911 GT3 R	1:02:43.086	32	54.343	1
18	5	GT3	Hirschi/Guilvert	Audi R8 LMS	59:20.499	31	2:28.244	2
19	14	GT3	Eskelinen/Gruber	Ford GT	57:05.527	30	4:43.216	3
20	4	GT3	Bonifacio/Ammermüller	Audi R8 LMS	52:56.252	28	8:52.491	5
21	16	GT3	Lambotte/Parisy	Corvette Z06R GT3	43:29.303	23	18:19.440	10
22	3	GT3	Demoustier/Heyer	Audi R8 LMS	22:30.753	12	39:17.990	21
23	87	GT3	Petrobelli/Alessi	Ferrari 430 Scuderia	20:08.241	11	41:40.502	22

Session Notes
Weather	sunny, hot
Track conditions	dry
Stewards Decisions	25, 26
Notes	drive through penalty converted to 30 second penalty for 14 and 30

 

Race 1 Result - 2010 Round 5 - Algarve

Results: 2010 Round 5 - Algarve

Race 1 Result
Pos	Car	Class	Drivers	Car	Time	Laps	Gap	Avg speed
1	61	GT3	van Splunteren/Holzer	Porsche 911 GT3 R	1:01:41.788	33	0.000	0
2	101	GT3	Keilwitz/Hohenadel	Corvette Z06R GT3	1:01:47.637	33	5.849	0
3	16	GT3	Lambotte/Parisy	Corvette Z06R GT3	1:02:14.285	33	32.497	0
4	14	GT3	Eskelinen/Gruber	Ford GT	1:02:15.475	33	33.687	0
5	3	GT3	Demoustier/Heyer	Audi R8 LMS	1:02:17.974	33	36.186	0
6	5	GT3	Hirschi/Guilvert	Audi R8 LMS	1:02:27.075	33	45.287	0
7	76	GT3	Söderlund/Sandström	BMW Z4	1:02:27.903	33	46.115	0
8	11	GT3	Vannelet/Lanik	Porsche 911 GT3 R	1:02:29.185	33	47.397	0
9	87	GT3	Petrobelli/Alessi	Ferrari 430 Scuderia	1:02:29.532	33	47.744	0
10	22	GT3	Guasch/Patterson	Audi R8 LMS	1:02:29.862	33	48.074	0
11	60	GT3	Lappalainen/Palttala	Porsche 911 GT3 R	1:02:36.649	33	54.861	0
12	88	GT3	Charveriat/Hollings	Ferrari 430 Scuderia	1:02:50.096	33	1:08.308	0
13	4	GT3	Bonifacio/Ammermüller	Audi R8 LMS	1:02:54.331	33	1:12.543	0
14	100	GT3	Ritskes/Retera	Corvette Z06R GT3	1:02:55.987	33	1:14.199	0
15	98	GT3	De Doncker/Beche	Ford GT	1:02:57.431	33	1:15.643	0
16	12	GT3	Häring/Konstantinou	Porsche 911 GT3 R	1:03:03.815	33	1:22.027	0
17	6	GT3	Demay/Lorgere-Roux	Audi R8 LMS	1:03:25.311	33	1:43.523	0
18	77	GT3	Walter/Hürtgen	BMW Z4	1:03:32.554	33	1:50.766	0
19	32	GT3	Breslin/Mehta	Audi R8 LMS	1:02:27.434	31	45.646	2
20	1	GT3	Rodrigues/Makowiecki	Aston Martin DBRS9	53:02.473	28	8:39.315	5
21	23	GT3	Brown/Bell	Audi R8 LMS	33:23.623	17	28:18.165	16
22	2	GT3	Paillard/Accary	Aston Martin DBRS9	28:20.487	15	33:21.301	18
23	33	GT3	Breslin/Seyffarth	Audi R8 LMS	31:45.211	15	29:56.577	18

Session Notes
Weather	sunny
Track conditions	dry
Stewards Decisions	17, 18
Notes	30 sexond penalty for nr100, 60 second penalty for 77

United Autosports Claims FIA GT3 European Championship Podium Finish

· American-owned team achieves its first "top-three" result in latest race
· Guasch & Patterson prove a point for team in opening Portuguese race
· Chairman & Co-Owner Brown attains team's maiden front row start position 

Zak Brown (left) and Matt Bell celebrate United Autosports’ maiden FIA GT3 European Championship podium finish

United Autosports came of age in the latest rounds of the FIA GT3 European Championship at the Autodr ómo Internacional do Algarve circuit near Portimão (POR) this weekend (September 18-19).

The official Audi "customer" team finally claimed its first championship silverware when Zak Brown and Matt Bell swept their Audi R8 LMS to a magnificent third place – a mere 8.356secs behind the winner – in Sunday's one-hour race after 33-laps around the technical 2.92-mile Portuguese track.

Team-mates Michael Guasch and Mark Patterson scored United Autosports' maiden championship point 24 hours earlier while underlining the British-based team's competitiveness, Brown achieved a front row start position for Saturday's opening one-hour race.

United Autosports contests the final two rounds of the FIA GT3 European Championship at Zolder (Belgium) over October 9-10.

 

Race 1 (Saturday)
Qualifying: 2nd #23 Brown, 1m 46.575s; 6th #22 Guasch, 1m 47.176s. Weather: Sunny, hot.
Race Result: 10th (#22) +48.074s P1; Retired - mechanical (#23). Weather: Sunny, hot.

The ninth round of the 12-race series witnessed the team's best qualifying performance of the season with Brown impressively claiming a front row position – only being denied pole-position by 0.153secs in the final five minutes with Guasch getting bumped down three places to sixth in the closing moments.

But the one-hour race began disastrously when Brown was hit from behind at the first corner moments after the green light resulting in little bodywork damage to the Audi R8 LMS but effectively ruining the race for the #23 Audi. Brown resumed half a lap down at the back of the 23-car field and handed over to Bell in 21st with 33mins remaining only for Bell, now 20th, to roll to a standstill nine minutes later with a mechanical gremlin – a likely legacy of the opening lap impact.

Guasch made a flying start and pressed for fourth place in the opening laps, the American running very strongly in fifth place until he too was punted from behind off the track and into a spin on lap six, dropping to 13th position. Gausch pitted to Patterson placed third during the compulsory pit-stop phase on 30mins with Mark running strongly, setting the #22 Audi's fastest lap 15mins from the checker which he took in 11th place – less than four seconds behind the sixth-placed finisher. Amended results were later issued which saw Guasch/Patterson classified 10th earning United Autosports its maiden FIA GT3 European Championship points.

Race 2 (Sunday)
Qualifying: 6th #23 Bell, 1m 46.095s; 20th #22 Patterson, 1m 47.442s. Weather: Sunny, hot.
Race Result: 3rd (#23) +8.356s P1; 14th (#22) +54.494s P1. Weather: Sunny, very hot.

Bell lined-up on the grid in sixth place following a seven-hour engine change the previous evening – his personal best qualifying position of the season – with a time that would have comfortably earned the British youngster "pole" in Race 1 despite only having clocked up three "flying laps" prior to Saturday's qualifying session.

Matt completed the opening lap in ninth but ran eighth for much of his stint before handing over to Brown in sixth position with 25mins to run. The American spun at Turn 1 early in his stint, dropping three places to ninth, but drove superbly thereafter to snatch third place in the final three minutes and close to within 1.754secs of the second-placed car at the finish.

Patterson spun 20mins into the race and handed over to Guasch placed 19th with 29mins on the clock, Michael consistently setting competitive times to be the fastest car on the track in the closing stages to haul himself in to a creditable 14th by the finish.

Mark Patterson (left) and Michael Guasch scored the team’s first FIA GT3 European Championship point in Saturday’s race 

#22 Molecule / Cerutti – Audi R8 LMS
Michael Guasch (USA). Lives: Walnut Creek, California, USA:
"Qualifying for Race 1 went very well and I comfortably achieved my best-ever start position. I made a great jump at the green light and spent the opening laps hounding a Ferrari which I just couldn't find a way past but was then hit up the back pretty hard which spun me around off the track. I put my head down and reeled them back in and my car's performance was great as my stint went on. We started from near the back of the grid in Race 2 and despite picking up a couple a seconds each lap, it was too much time to make up but the car was just great and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. This weekend was the first time that I arrived with previous track knowledge after testing here at the beginning of the year. We had car capable of mixing it at the front due to the latest Balance of Performance changes since Ricard which allowed the team and I to show our true potential."

Mark Patterson (USA). Lives: Bronxville, New York State, USA:
"Mike handed me a great car in the opening race with the Dunlop tires standing up real well which allowed me to set our car's fastest lap time late on. I also had a good tussle with a Ferrari but like Mike, was all over him in the corners but found it difficult to get past on the straight-aways. I had a spin coming out of the last sweeper in Sunday's race which could have ultimately cost Mike and I a second top-10 result of the weekend. The Audi was fabulous allowing me to claw back some positions that I lost at the start. It's just a shame that I qualified down where I did."

Matthew Bell (left) and Zak Brown – the latter achieved the team’s first front row start position on Saturday – with the duo recording United Autosports’ maiden FIA GT3 European Championship podium finish on Sunday

23 Remington – Audi R8 LMS
Zak Brown (USA). Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:

"Race 1 promised so much but delivered nothing. The pole-starting Corvette and I both had terrible starts, the Pace Car seemed to bring us around very slowly and as soon as the race started we were engulfed and I took a hit from behind. It was very disappointing and frustrating after achieving our first front row start – after that I just tried to keep my cool. I took over from Matt in Race 2 and rejoined just in front of three cars already up to speed and I made a mistake and spun at Turn 1. That cost around 10secs and we finished eight behind the winner at the checker! The rest of the stint was brilliant and I was comfortably catching the guys ahead in the closing stages – it was great fun. Richard [Dean] and the entire team have done a fantastic job in our first season and I'm delighted with the Audi R8 LMS. We arrived here on the back of a rostrum finish in the 24 Hours of Spa and have achieved a front row start, scored our first top-three finish while the #22 Audi scored our first ever championship point yesterday so a tremendous weekend for United Autosports.”

Matthew Bell (GB). Lives: Barningham nr Richmond, North Yorkshire, England:

“The Audi was difficult to drive when I took over from Zak in Race 1, something had obviously been damaged in the first lap impact. Despite this I quickly caught a group ahead of me but the handling was horrible and I couldn’t challenge them before the car suddenly lost all power and drive. The opening lap of Sunday’s race was hectic and I lost three places. It was nervous under braking and steering after I struggled to get enough heat in to the front tires. That resolved itself but late in to my stint the rear was nervous – possibly the tire pressures were too high and I was very conscious of looking after the rubber for Zak’s stint. It’s a great feeling to finally step onto the rostrum.”

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

“I couldn’t be happier for Zak [Brown] and it’s great to repay Audi’s faith in us. Saturday’s race was a massive disappointment. With ours cars starting from rows one and three, it’s fair to say we expected at least one podium. The Pace Car brought the field around very slowly and the momentum was with the guys behind Zak and the pole-sitter. Zak was tapped from behind so that was race over for the #23 Audi which later retired with a mechanical issue. Mike ran a strong opening stint despite also getting hit while Mark, running with some very quick drivers, set lap times comparable with the top-10 runners. On Sunday, the #22 Audi had a lot to do starting from where it did. Mark had good pace but suffered a spin at a corner which caught out a number of other cars. Mike set some unbelievably good times and was the fastest guy out there at the end. Zak and Matt had a car capable of winning the race and but for Zak’s spin, we probably would have but I’m not going to complain – we’ll take a third and build on it for the final two races in Belgium. Matt drove a solid opening stint, keeping his cool after losing a couple of places at the start and quickly got in to a good rhythm which is the mark of a good driver. Meanwhile Zak drove a fantastic race – he’s so committed to this program and this result is a great reward.”          

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

V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, emission control by two racing catalytic converters, rear-wheel-drive, traction control (ASR), sequential pneumatic activated 6-speed sport gearbox with shift-paddles, Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum with bolted steel roll-cage, carbon-fiber composite/aluminum bodywork, Michelin radial tires. Start weight 1,335kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won FIA GT3 European Championship, ADAC-GT Masters and Belgian GT Championship plus Nürburgring 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours class victories in début 2009 season scoring a total 23 victories. United Autosports achieved third and fourth places on the team’s 24 hour race début in the 2010 Spa 24 Hours and its first FIA GT3 European Championship top-three finish in Portugal (19 Sep).

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

United Autosports To Make Intercontinental Le Mans Cup Début

·       American owned team to race in GTC category in inaugural ILMC Zhuhai race

·       First race for Audi R8 LMS GT3 sports car in China

·       American Le Mans Series regular Henri Richard to make United Autosports début alongside fellow Frenchman Alain Li

The American owned United Autosports GT3 sports car team will compete in the third and final round of the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Zhuhai in China on Sunday November 7.

The team's brace of R8 LMS sports cars will be prepared in the specification as raced in the Spa 24 Hours (Jul 31-Aug 1) for the six hour race which will mark the first-ever race for the Audi R8 LMS in China – a highly important and successful market for AUDI AG.

French duo Alain Li, who raced with United Autosports at Spa, and Henri Richard, will drive one R8 LMS with the drivers for the second Audi expected to be announced later this month. United Autosports achieved third and fourth positions in the GT3 category at Spa – the team's maiden 24 hour race – with Hong Kong-based Li sharing the fourth placed car. Richard, who lives in California, has contested the 2010 American Le Mans Series and will be making his début with the team co-owned by Zak Brown and Richard Dean.

The Leeds (GB)-based team will arrive at Zhuhai four weeks after the final races in the FIA GT3 European Championship – a 12-race series the British-based team has fully contested during its first year of competition with the Audi R8 LMS – a sports car developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH for its maiden season of "customer sport" racing in 2009. Sponsorship for the Chinese race will come courtesy of Li's long-time supporter Roger Dubuis Watches while Richard is supported by WT Microelectronics and the Comtech Group.

AUDI AG recently set yet another new sales record in China, its largest foreign market. With 22,358 units, the Company sold 67.5 percent more cars there than in August 2009. The brand's success is also reflected in terms of customer satisfaction, with the latest J.D. Power study showing that Audi delighted Chinese customers with its range of services more than any other premium carmaker in the last 12 months. And Chinese buyers also voted the brand's sales team as the best of its kind in the industry.

Alain Li (F). Age: 50. Born: Caen, France. Lives: Hong Kong:
"I am thrilled to be teaming up with United Autosports at Zhuhai after the incredible result the team achieved in Spa. That result was a testament to the professionalism and dedication of everyone in the team. I raced in Zhuhai when I competed in the Porsche Cup Asia between 2004-08 with top-6 finishes on each occasion. The Intercontinental Le Mans Cup event will be the biggest race to be staged in Asia this year apart from the F1 Grand Prix. It will be an enormous thrill to be taking part in such a prestigious race. As a boy growing up in Hong Kong I could never have imagined that one day I would be competing in such an event just an hour across the border in China. Being half Chinese, I hope to be able to put in a good showing for the local drivers. I loved driving the Audi R8 LMS and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel again. I think the Audi will be well suited to Zhuhai given its fantastic balance and braking."

Henri Richard (F). Age: 52. Born: Paris, France. Lives: Los Altos Hills, CA (USA):
"I am pleased to finally be driving with United Autosports. I had to postpone my FIA GT3 European Championship plans due to business priorities so it is with great anticipation that I look forward to Zhuhai given the team's strong results, especially at Spa, in its inaugural season of competition. Having done a full season in the American Le Mans Series, the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup is a natural extension for me and certainly a series I would consider running in its entirety in the future. I have never driven at Zhuhai but will be practicing extensively on a simulator. I'm anticipating the biggest challenge will be learning the Audi R8 LMS and its tires in comparison to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car I race in the ALMS."

Zak Brown (USA). Driver, Chairman, Co-Owner United Autosports:
"I'm very excited about our new team racing in Asia in United Autosports' first year of competition. Having contested the full FIA GT3 European Championship, the Spa 24 Hours and a couple of British GT Championship events, to now get an entry in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup finalé is just amazing and underlines our desire and our commitment to GT sports car racing. China is an increasingly important market for not only Audi but our sponsors as well. In an ideal world our participation will open up us being allowed to compete in the 12 Hours of Sebring and at Petit Le Mans – stellar sports car races in the USA where United Autosports has a huge interest and obvious desire to compete."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"The inaugural Zhuhai race is a great opportunity for United Autosports to showcase both us, as a team, and of course the Audi R8 LMS in the ultra-important Asian market. Despite what has been said recently, we really hope the ACO adopt the GTC category for GT3 cars at ILMS events in 2011. Alain [Li] proved himself to us at Spa, doing a great job and we feel he is part of our team now. Zhuhai will be perfect for him, he knows the circuit and he knows the car. The six hour format of the ILMC will suit his consistent, reliable and calm approach. Henri [Richard], who had to shelve plans to join us this season, has been racing regularly in the GTC class in ALMS with great success, and so it will be really good to finally get him in one of our cars for this event. The support and enthusiasm we're receiving from Audi Sport's Customer Centre for this event has been tremendous and we'll continue to work close with our colleagues in Germany so that we put on a great show in China."

Audi R8 LMS (Sportscar according to latest 2010 FIA GT3 regulations)
V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, emission control by two racing catalytic converters, rear-wheel-drive, traction control (ASR), sequential pneumatic activated 6-speed sport gearbox with shift-paddles, Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum with bolted steel roll-cage, carbon-fiber composite/aluminum bodywork, Michelin radial tires. Start weight 1,335kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won FIA GT3 European Championship, ADAC-GT Masters and Belgian GT Championship plus Nürburgring 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours class victories in début 2009 season scoring a total 23 victories. United Autosports achieved third and fourth places on the team's 24 hour race début in the 2010 Spa 24 Hours.

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

United Autosports Aiming To Reproduce Spa “Marathon” Form On the Algarve

· American-owned team confident of maintaining Spa 24 Hour race pace
· Portuguese track witnessed Audi "double" in last year's races

After an 11 week break, the FIA GT3 European Championship reconvenes in the Algarve (Portugal) next weekend (September 17-19) with United Autosports aiming to reproduce its scintillating Spa 24 Hour race form in the two, one-hour "sprint" races.

The British-based team staged the maiden test for its brand new Audi R8 LMS sports cars at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve circuit near Portimão in March – a 2.92-mile venue where the R8 LMS scored its first FIA GT3 European Championship race victory at last year's corresponding event.

In what has been a difficult baptism at times this season for the brand new team, United Autosports heads to Portugal full of confidence after posting third and fourth positions in the GT3 category of the 24 Hours of Spa (July 31-Aug 1), determined to translate its "marathon" form in to scoring its maiden championship points. United Autosports will test with all four of its drivers at Estoril (POR) next Monday and Tuesday (Sep 13-14).

Provisional Timetable*:
Friday September 17
1200-1300 Free Practice 1
1700-1800 Free Practice 2

Saturday September 18
0945-10:35 Qualifying
1400-1500 Race 1

Sunday September 19
1115-1215 Race 2
* Local times

#22 Molecule / Cerutti – Audi R8 LMS
Michael Guasch (USA). Lives: Walnut Creek, California, USA:
"Out of all of our FIA races we've run so far this year, I am looking forward to this track the most. Firstly because Zak [Brown] and I tested the R8 LMS at Portimão back in March and secondly, we now have been given a more competitive car for the first time this year courtesy of the latest FIA Balance of Power changes. I have a very good version of the track on my simulator which will allow me great preparation. Since the Ricard FIA race I have tested my formula car and competed in one race with IRL at Sonoma, CA. But I'm really looking forward to our Estoril test next week to shake out the cobwebs from our long summer break."

Mark Patterson (USA). Lives: Bronxville, New York State, USA:
"I'm eagerly anticipating racing competitively for the first time this year in the FIA series following the power adjustment made in time for the 24 Hours of Spa. It's been a trifle frustrating driving the Audi R8 LMS way down the field which has been totally unrepresentative of the car's performance. We've had both cars knocking on the door of scoring points and I'm confident we'll be in the top-10 in Portugal despite not personally having seen this track previously. After achieving fourth place in the 24 Hours of Spa for United Autosports, I've raced a Doran-Ford in Grand Am races at Watkins Glen and Montreal."

#23 Remington – Audi R8 LMS
Zak Brown (USA). Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA:
"United Autosports' very first track test with the R8 LMS was at the Algarve back in March. This circuit is one of my favorites and, in my opinion, the best on the FIA GT3 European Championship schedule. It's a very fast rollercoaster ride. I believe and fervently hope that our final races will be our most competitive – I'll be disappointed if both cars don't finish in the points. Since the Ricard races I've raced some of my historic race car collection in North America – at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant in Canada, Watkins Glen and at Laguna Seca which was great fun but the serious racing starts again now."

Matthew Bell (GB). Lives: Barningham nr Richmond, North Yorkshire, England:
"The Audi has been granted more power by the FIA since Ricard which hopefully means we can finish the year off on a high – we are certainly targeting a good finish to the year – and I'm aiming to be in the points. But it's still an extremely difficult and competitive series so I'm taking nothing for granted, it will be hard work! Since Ricard I've contested a British GT Championship race at Silverstone in a Ginetta with my older brother Rob taking the G4 class honors. It was extremely valuable for me as not only did it break the long gap in the FIA calendar but I was also able to learn a huge amount from racing alongside Rob and benefit from his wealth of experience and success. I visited the Algarve track to watch Rob race in the Le Mans Series race last month and it looks a great venue."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"Our targets for the final FIA races are to achieve top-10 finishes with both cars including at least one podium. I have high hopes for the remainder of the season with the new Balance of Power decisions. We were competitive at Spa and I expect to carry that through into the Algarve and then Zolder races. I love the Algarve track having contested the first ever race there when the circuit opened two years ago, winning GT4 in a Ginetta. It's also the first track this season we have been to where a couple of our drivers have some circuit knowledge due to our pre-season test. We've been busy with ground up rebuilds of both cars following Spa. United Autosports also entered the British GT Championship race with our Ginetta and displayed our cars at the TRAX show at Silverstone earlier this month."

Audi R8 LMS (Sportscar according to latest 2010 FIA GT3 regulations)
V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, emission control by two racing catalytic converters, rear-wheel-drive, traction control (ASR), sequential pneumatic activated 6-speed sport gearbox with shift-paddles, Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum with bolted steel roll-cage, carbon-fiber composite/aluminum bodywork, Michelin radial tires. Start weight 1,335kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won FIA GT3 European Championship, ADAC-GT Masters and Belgian GT Championship plus Nürburgring 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours class victories in début 2009 season scoring a total 23 victories. United Autosports achieved third and fourth places on the team's 24 hour race début in the 2010 Spa 24 Hours.

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