United Autosports’ “Happy Return” To Portuguese Venue For FIA Opener

·       Bell, Brown & Patterson all have good memories of 2010 Algarve race 

·       Osborne to make race début for Anglo-American team in Audi R8 LMS

United Autosports begins its second season in the FIA GT3 European Championship at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve circuit near Portimão (May 7-8) – a Portuguese track which proved to be a very happy “hunting ground” for the Anglo-American’s maiden visit last season.

Zak Brown posted the FIA GT3 team’s first front row start. Mark Patterson, with co-driver Michael Guasch, scored United Autosports’ maiden championship point in the opening race. Brown and co-driver Matt Bell, who had his personal best qualifying position of the season, collected the team’s first championship silverware with third place – a mere 8.356secs behind the winner in the second race.

So the pleasant memories of last September’s exploits around the technical 2.92-mile Portuguese track combined with a “new term” getting underway, the start of the 12-race 2011 series which concludes in October after “double header” races in England, Spain, France, Russia and the Netherlands, sees United Autosports looking to build on the experience and momentum from its promising maiden 2010 season.

Patterson is joined by United Autosports “newcomer” Joe Osborne in the #22 Audi R8 LMS for 2011 with Bell who, along with United Autosports began a busy 2011 GT3 season with second and third position finishes in the opening rounds of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Oulton Park (England) last Monday (April 25) and Brown continuing in the “sister” #23.  

Provisional Timetable:

Friday – 1145-1245 Practice; 1635-1735 Practice

Saturday – 0900-0950 Qualifying; 1415-1515 Race 1

Sunday – 1115-1215 Race 2

* All times are “local”

2010 Formguide:

Sep 18/19 – FIA Rds 9 & 10 – Algarve, Portugal (#22: Guasch/Patterson; #23 Bell/Brown) 

Rd 9     Qualifying: 2^nd #23 Brown, 1m 46.575s; 6^th #22 Guasch, 1m 47.176s. Weather: Sunny, hot.

Rd 9     Result: 10^th #22; #23 Retired. Weather: Sunny, hot.

Rd 10   Qualifying: 6^th #23 Bell, 1m 46.095s; 20^th #22 Patterson, 1m 47.442s. Weather: Sunny, hot.

Rd 10   Result: 3^rd #23; 14^th #22. Weather: Sunny, very hot.

#22 Draper Tools – Audi R8 LMS

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

“I love the Portimão track. Every corner is a challenge while the gradient changes keep you awake. You must force yourself to carry the speed through all the quick corners. I don't think it should be too hot ambient temperature wise so hopefully we can go on a full out attack! It’s been a good track for me as I won the 2009 European GT4 championship there. I was also in attendance as a spectator at the corresponding FIA weekend so witnessed United Autosports’ maiden podium. Testing has been very good but nothing comes close to going wheel to wheel in race action. I’m aiming for a top-six in both races – I've been fortunate to get Draper Tools and Engage sponsorship so I need to make sure I do the business to try and repay their faith in me.”

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

“After being restrained by the FIA homologation stranglehold for the first half of the 2010 season, being set free to compete on equal terms at the Algarve last year made us all feel like we were in the field for the first time - and proved it with our inaugural season's first points of the year. So obviously we're roaring to get back there to see if we can do it again. This is a real driver's track – demanding, punishing and exciting with wonderful elevation changes and a ‘gulper’ of a final turn when attacked. Apart from the Rolex 24 in January and an FIA GT3 test in February, I've been chomping at the bit and can't wait to get into full race mode in the Audi again. This time last year us drivers hadn’t seen the majority of tracks or done much mileage in the R8 LMS so it’s a very different recipe this season. United Autosports has achieved endurance and a sprint race podiums – a race win is our goal this year.”

#23 Legends of Motorsport – Audi R8 LMS

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

“Portimão holds great memories for us from last September. I'm excited to get back there and aim for a couple of steps higher on the rostrum! It’s a very difficult track from a driver’s perspective, particularly the second sector which is very technical and incorporates huge elevation changes which adds to the challenge of being quick. With a full year under my belt plus a good pre-season testing program I am confident we can be serious contenders for the top step at every race this year. But this depends on the Balance of Performance which crippled our Audi for eight out of 12 races last year so hopefully things will be more even from the start and we can compete on a level playing field.”

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

“I'm very excited for the first event to be at the Algarve track. We were very competitive there last year and I qualified on the front row and enjoyed our first podium of the season there so I have high expectations for us on our return. It’s a fantastic track featuring every type of corner you can imagine – very challenging but hugely rewarding. I cannot wait for the season to start – it’s been a long break since October. It’s going to be another very competitive year in which I hope United Autosports achieves a number of podium results although my concern is that the organizers immediately get the ‘Balance of Performance’ right. The Audi’s handicap for the first half of the season was such a disappointment. With 12 months of FIA racing under our belts, assuming the BoP is fair, we will not have any excuses.”

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

“The opening rounds of the 2011 FIA GT3 couldn’t be starting at a better track for us. It was the moment we seemed to turn a competitive corner in our first year, Zak qualifying on the front row and Matt backing that up with a great podium for the pairing. I think we all love the circuit layout, the facilities and more often than not the weather. Racing in the Algarve for me underlines everything I love about motorsport and how lucky we are to work in this profession. A good result in Portugal will set the tone for the year and hopefully we can start the season where we left 2010, on the podium – especially having got off to a flying start in the British GT Championship recently.”

 

United Autosports

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

Audi R8 LMS

V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, 365-412 kW (496-560 PS), emission control by two racing catalytic converters, rear-wheel-drive, traction control (ASR), sequential pneumatic activated 6-speed sport gearbox with shift-paddles, Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum with bolted steel roll-cage, carbon-fiber composite/aluminum bodywork, Dunlop radial tires. Start weight 1,300kg. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won seven championships across Europe in 2009-2010 plus Spa 24 Hours class victory in début 2009 season and Nürburgring 24 Hours class victories in 2009-2010 and scoring a total 64 victories.

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

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

For further information, please contact:

Martyn Pass

Audi UK Sport Press

T +44 1564 824600

M +44 7801 859502

E audiuk-motorsport@earthlink.net

Skype martyn.pass

For further information on-event, please contact:

Jay Ashton

M +44 7919 186291

E jay@unitedautosports.com
www.unitedautosports.com

www.audi-press.co.uk

United Autosports Makes Storming Start To British GT Championship Campaign

• Bell & Guasch score fantastic double podium results for Anglo-American team to earn themselves joint third in championship standings
• Great team work allows #24 Audi to start Race Two for Bintcliffe & Palmer to record hard-earned 11^th place after multi-year lay off from racing 

Michael Guasch (left) and Matt Bell scored a “double” podium in the opening two rounds of the British GT Championship today

Matt Bell and Michael Guasch got their Avon Tyres British GT Championship title aspirations off to a flying start when the duo scored United Autosports’ best-ever race result in the opening race at Oulton Park (England) today (Monday April 25).

The #23 Molecule Audi R8 LMS of Bell and Guasch, partnering together for the first time, finished second in the opening round of the BGT series before placing third in Race Two which puts them joint third in the championship standings – just four-points off the series lead.

Easter Monday began in a frustrating manner for the “sister” United Autosports #24 Teknavo Audi of John Bintcliffe/Jay Palmer at the picturesque 2.692-mile “International” circuit. A likely top-10 placing in Race One was lost when Bintcliffe, having been edged on to the grass by a backmarker, hit the barriers.

But superb team work saw the Audi repaired for the second race in which Bintcliffe and Palmer recorded a praiseworthy 11^th – both drivers having their first competitive races for over six years.

Race 1 (duration 60mins)

Qualifying: 4^th #23 Guasch, 1m 39.883s; 9^th #24 Palmer, 1m 41.290s. Weather: Dry, cloudy.

Race Result: 2^nd (#23) +1.528s P1; Retired (#24), -17 laps. Weather: Dry, sunny.

Guasch started from fourth on the 26-car and spent the opening 15-laps hounding the third-placed #22 Mercedes before the American dived into the lead past the 2009 BGT champions during the pit-stop phase and in to the race lead. Co-driver Bell took over 30mins into the race, resuming second, 6.7secs behind the leading #1 Porsche.

Bell, setting a string of quick laps, repeatedly brought the gap down and ultimately took the checker a mere 1.528secs behind the 2010 BGT winning Porsche 997 after 36-laps.

Palmer drove solidly from ninth on the grid in the #24 R8 LMS, matching his qualifying time during his 25mins stint, and handed over to Bintcliffe placed ninth. However the former Audi Sport UK British Touring Car Championship race winner was edged wide by a backmarker out of 12^th place and into retirement after contact with the barriers.

Race 2 (duration 60mins)

Qualifying: 3^rd #23 Bell, 1m 37.562s; 10^th #24 Bintcliffe, 1m 39.032s. Weather: Dry, cloudy.

Race Result: 3^rd (#23) +30.411s P1; 11^th (#24) -1 lap P1. Weather: Dry, sunny.

Bell and Bintcliffe started from third and 10^th places respectively – the latter’s Audi making the grid after a fine effort by the United Autosports crew in the three-hour interval. However the Safety Car was deployed for 10mins after an incident on the opening lap with the #23 and #24 Audi sportscars placed fourth and ninth respectively.

Another Safety Car period 19mins into the race brought the field together again, the two UA cars placed fourth and eighth as compulsory pit-stops began. The #23 Audi pitted with Guasch resuming 20^th – an additional 10secs “success” penalty imposed for finishing second in Race One – while Bintcliffe handed over his Audi to Palmer who returned to the race in 17^th – Bintcliffe having led for two laps when the race re-started.

With 20mins remaining, Guasch was up to seventh, 30secs off the lead with Palmer 16^th but the American charged through to a fine third place with three minutes remaining, Jay creditably taking 11^th place at the finish.

Upcoming . . .

The next round of the British series is a two-hour race staged at Snetterton, Norfolk (England) on May 15. However United Autosports begins its quest for FIA GT3 European Championship honors at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve circuit near Portimão (POR) on May 7-8.

#23 Molecule – Audi R8 LMS

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

“The #22 Merc that Mike had spent Race One dicing with exited the pits just behind me. I got my head down and pulled away, quickly reducing the gap to the lead Porsche. My tires were good in the second half of the race and perhaps with a few more laps, may have seen me challenging for the lead. I struggled initially to get sufficient heat into the tires in Race Two but was part of a three-car dice for second place before I pitted under yellows. Although we’ve achieved second and third places, we’re a little disappointed which shows what we are aiming for in 2011.”

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

“I started the opening race from fourth after a disappointing qualifying session on Saturday. I just couldn’t find a way past the #22 Merc – he made it as wide as a boat. My tires seemed better than his just before our pit-stops and I stuck it past him at Knickerbrook. Our pit-stop was a little late in the second race but I just put my head down, focused and pushed real hard. The Audi was awesome today and I’m delighted with our points haul from here. ”

#24 Teknavo – Audi R8 LMS

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

“Jay did a very good job in Race One, holding station and I was looking forward to putting in a strong performance during the latter stages when we believed our car would come to us. I’d never previously done a race featuring a driver change or taken over a racecar from another driver before and the first couple of laps were a real eye-opener in just how different the Audi felt from practice and qualifying. While trying to get back ahead of a Ferrari, we both caught a backmarker who I don’t think saw me following the Ferrari closely. I tried to give the Ginetta room by putting two wheels on the grass, got airborne, but hit the barriers. The team did a great job in getting the car repaired for the second race but understandably it wasn’t 100% right. There was some confusion about when to pit otherwise I believe we could have achieved a top-six result.”

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

“I held position at the start of the opening race and ran comfortably inside the top-10 which was very pleasing considering I’ve not raced for a number of years and ran a steady stint in ninth place. In race two, our race was compromised due to the pit-stops occurring during the Safety Car period. We’ve all learned a lot and can move forward for future races which I’m eagerly looking forward to.”

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

“Mike [Guasch] lost vital time behind the Mercedes in the opening race – although he was faster. Oulton is such a tight and narrow track, it’s relatively easy to defend. Mike did get past the Merc but it was too late and while the pit-stop was perfect and Matt drove a very strong race, he just came up short against a very, very good driver in Richard Westbrook, a former Porsche and current Corvette ‘factory’ driver. Jay [Palmer] has had minimal testing in the Audi and produced a very good performance – in both qualifying and the race. Unfortunately John [Bintcliffe] who, like Jay, has been away from racing for a number of years and lacks mileage in the Audi, ran wide on to the grass and unfortunately paid the price. Mike deservedly picked up the Sunoco Driver of the weekend Award – for his two drives – which my fellow United Autosports co-owner Zak Brown collected here at Oulton 12 months ago at our first race meeting. He drove superbly all day ably backed up by Matt while Jay and John did very well to finish just outside of the top-10 with an ill-handling Audi. We’ve laid the foundations for a good maiden season in BGT with two podiums.”

United Autosports

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

Audi R8 LMS

V10 5.2-liter engine, 4 valves per cylinder, petrol direct injection, 365-412 kW (496-560 PS), emission control by two racing catalytic converters, rear-wheel-drive, traction control (ASR), sequential pneumatic activated 6-speed sport gearbox with shift-paddles, Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum with bolted steel roll-cage, carbon-fiber composite/aluminum bodywork, Avon radial tires. Start weight 1,300kg. Limitation at 8,500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won seven championships across Europe in 2009-2010 plus Spa 24 Hours class victory in début 2009 season and Nürburgring 24 Hours class victories in 2009-2010 and scoring a total 64 victories.

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

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

For further information, please contact:

Martyn Pass
Audi UK Sport Press
T +44 1564 824600
M +44 7801 859502
E audiuk-motorsport@earthlink.net
Skype martyn.pass

www.audi-press.co.uk

www.unitedautosports.com

United Autosports Begins Quest For British GT Championship Title Honors

·       First races for Bintcliffe & Palmer in Audi R8 LMS on United Autosports début

·       Anglo-American team aiming for solid points haul at “home” Oulton track

Twelve months ago in the corresponding British GT Championship opener at Oulton Park (England), United Autosports made its race début just three months after the formation of the Anglo-American team and three weeks after taking delivery of its Audi R8 LMS sports cars.

 

Nothing more than a glorified test session in preparation for its maiden FIA GT3 European Championship program resulted in the ambitious Leeds-based outfit scoring two fourth placings, a fifth and an eighth to mark a successful British series début of the mid-engined R8 LMS.

But after a hectic and ultra-successful maiden 2010 season in which it scored class podiums not only in the FIA series but in the 24 Hours of Spa (Belgium), Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (Zhuhai, China) and Macau (China), United Autosports returns to the burgeoning Avon Tyres British GT Championship for a full season campaign in which it will bid for title honors in the GT3 category.  

Matt Bell (GB) and Michael Guasch (USA), who raced in the FIA series with United Autosports last year albeit in different cars, team together for the first time while former “factory” Audi Sport UK British Touring Car Championship race winner John Bintcliffe (GB) has been tempted back in to full time competition after a multi-year break to partner long-time friend Jay Palmer (GB).

Bintcliffe and Palmer experienced their first ever runs in the Audi R8 LMS only last month (March 4) and then joined Guasch and Bell, the latter again competing in the FIA series, at Oulton Park (March 25) for their only runs at the picturesque track near Chester ahead of the Easter race weekend which commences with testing and practice on Easter Saturday.

The #23 & #24 Audi R8 LMS sports cars will contest two 60-minute races around Oulton’s 2.692-mile “International” circuit on Easter Monday (April 25) featuring a mandatory ‘driver change’ pit-stop which must be carried out between 23 and 37 minutes – the pit-stop being of a minimum specified duration. For the second race, an additional time penalty will be applied to the top-three finishers in the opening race.

Oulton Park is actually United's third race meet of the 2011 season. In partnership with Michael Shank Racing, United Autosports recorded fourth (Rolex 24 Of Daytona) and sixth positions (Grand Prix of Miami) in the opening two rounds of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.

Provisional Timetable:

Saturday – 0930-1030 Practice; 1220-1320 Practice; 1630-1645 Qualifying Race 1; 1650-1705 Qualifying Race 2

Monday – 0935-0945 Warm-up; 1118-1218 Race 1; 1540-1640 Race 2

* All times are UK “local”

2010 Formguide:

Apr 05 – BGT Rds 1 & 2 – Oulton Park, England (#22: Guasch/Patterson; #23: Brown/Dean)

Rd 1     Qualifying: 3^rd #23 Brown, 1m 40.381s; 4^th #22 Guasch, 1m 40.533s. Weather: Dry/Cloudy.

Rd 1     Result: 4^th #23; 8^th #22. Weather: Dry/Cloudy.

Rd 2     Qualifying: 5^th #23 Dean, 1m 38.340s; 11^th #22 Patterson, 1m 41.004s. Weather: Dry/Cloudy.

Rd 2     Result: 4^th #23; 5^th #22. Weather: Dry/Cloudy.

Mike Guasch (left) with co-driver Matt Bell

#23 Molecule – Audi R8 LMS

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

“The first round marks my Oulton race début but not my first BGT race having contested an event at Silverstone in a Ginetta last summer. I drove the Audi at Oulton in testing earlier this year and it felt like the track had shrunk and makes the circuit even more challenging and exciting. With so many new cars entering BGT it makes it a bit of an unknown quantity. I think we have grown as a team from our experiences last year in the FIA series and have taken steps forward. So long as the ‘balance of performance’ is fair and doesn’t cripple the Audis like in the FIA series for the first half of 2010 we could be aiming for a podium finish at Oulton.”

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

“I made my Oulton, United Autosports, Audi R8 LMS and BGT début in the corresponding races last Easter, claiming fifth and eighth places. I love the Oulton track. It has a little bit of everything, fast, slow plus technical corners although there is very little run-off area so little room for mistakes. I believe Matt and I are going to be a very competitive pairing for the season but it is hard to know what some of the new cars and teams will bring to the table. Matt and I raced a R8 LMS in the FIA GT3 series last year so it’s not new to us. My biggest concern is that the series immediately gets the ‘balance of performance’ close and fair.  As long as the cars are properly ‘balanced’ by the organizers, we have a very good chance of winning races.”

John Bintcliffe (left) with co-driver Jay Palmer

#24 Teknavo – Audi R8 LMS

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

“My aim is to be as near to the front as possible. Jay [Palmer] and I have limited mileage with the R8 LMS and there is definitely a knack in getting the most out of it. I first raced at Oulton in a Honda CRX while my last run there was in 1998 for Audi Sport UK in a British Touring Car Championship race. The track felt narrow when I tested there last month and it felt a lot faster between the corners than back then.  It's great to see a variety of manufacturers in the series – it's good for British motorsport. I’m sure certain tracks will suit certain cars making the series more interesting.”

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

“The last time I raced at Oulton was eight years ago in a Westfield - I qualified on pole, won the race and set a new lap record – that would be nice to repeat but these races mark my first in six years so I’m just looking to enjoy myself. The Audi R8 LMS was fun to drive around Oulton but made the track feel like a go-kart circuit – it’s a great machine to drive with huge amounts of technology on board. I’m certain that this year’s BGT is going to be very competitive and hopefully the ‘handicapping’ system to equalize the performance will be fair.”

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

“Oulton is United Autosports’ UK operations ‘home’ circuit. We will have lots of guests, family and friends in attendance. I love Oulton Park, it’s one of the few remaining circuits in the world that has retained its originality and atmosphere. From a team perspective, we’ll be back at Oulton one year on from United Autosports’ very first race. It will be interesting to see any differences both operationally and on track as we return with our Audi R8 LMS sports cars. Matt Bell and Mike Guasch also have a year racing with us under their belts and should pose a competitive pairing all year. John Bintcliffe and Jay Palmer embark on their first season in BGT and both have approached the year seriously.”

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 TBA. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH. Won seven championships across Europe in 2009-2010 plus Spa 24 Hours class victory in début 2009 season and Nürburgring 24 Hours class victories in 2009-2010 and scoring a total 64 victories.

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

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

For further information, please contact:

Martyn Pass

Audi UK Sport Press

T +44 1564 824600

M +44 7801 859502

E audiuk-motorsport@earthlink.net

Skype martyn.pass

www.audi-press.co.uk/

www.unitedautosports.com

Motorsport “Greats” To Compete In 2011 “Legends of Motorsports” Events in Mouth-Watering United Autosports Machinery

·       Blundell, Cheever, Johansson & Luyendyk to race in Bobby Rahal signature events  

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Some of the most prominent names in motorsport, from the world of open-wheel and sports car racing, will compete in Legends of Motorsports events this year. Ex-Formula One Grand Prix drivers Mark Blundell (GB), Eddie Cheever (USA) and Stefan Johansson (SE) plus two-time Indianapolis 500 race winner Arie Luyendyk (NED) will contest selected Bobby Rahal signature events during the year.

United Autosports will provide a stunning “stable” of machinery for former 24 Hours of Le Mans race winners Blundell and Johansson plus Indy 500 race victors Cheever and Luyendyk. Blundell, Cheever and Johansson raced for the Anglo-American team in Europe last year, an association they and Luyendyk continue in the 24 Hours of Spa (BEL) alongside United Autosports Chairman & Co-Owner Zak Brown.

They will showcase their incredible talent and vast experience behind the wheel of such legendary racecars as the 1969 Lola T163 (Can Am), 1979 McLaren M28 (F1), 1992 Benetton B191 (F1), 1991 Penske PC20 (IndyCar) and the Porsche 962 among others in the three-event series staged at the Barber Motorsports Park (USA) on May 20-22, Mont-Tremblant (Can) on July 8-10 and the Sebring Raceway (USA) on December 2-4.

United Autosports’ recently refurbished ex-Michael Schumacher 1992 Benetton B191

The ultra-experienced quartet having made their names in the uppermost echelons of racing boasting over 300 Formula One starts, six Indy 500 wins, five IndyCar Championships and numerous open-wheel and sports car victories, join three-time IndyCar Champion and Indianapolis 500 race winner Rahal and other “historic” racing participants at these venues along with Just Marketing Inc.’s Founder & CEO, Zak Brown, who is co-owner of the Legends of Motorsports program with Rahal.

“The drivers joining us at the Legends of Motorsports events are some of the best drivers to have competed in open-wheel racing,” confirmed 1986 Indy 500 race winner Rahal. “The Legends of Motorsports events are the only place you will see drivers of this caliber go wheel-to-wheel racing in cars such as the Penske PC 20 IndyCar and the Benetton B191B Formula 1 car.  It is going to be fantastic.”

A full calendar of events will await historic racing fans during the participating weekends including Legends Autograph Sessions, Fan Forums, free paddock access where fans can see these historic cars and racing legends up close and non-stop racing activity.  Tickets and event information are available at www.legendsofmotorsports.com

Porsche 962 (IMSA)

About Legends of Motorsports

Legends of Motorsports is a premium race series owned by Historic Motorsports Productions LLC (‘HMP’). Specifically, Legends of Motorsports is an annual series of premium historic racing events and related lifestyle experiences staged at historic North American venues. Based in Zionsville, Indiana, HMP’s principal owners are racers and businessmen Bobby Rahal, Peter Stoneberg and Zak Brown. Additional equity investors in HMP include Spire Capital Partners and Just Marketing International, which provides comprehensive strategy, marketing, public relations, and event logistics services to the venue. 

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).

 

Legends of Motorsports Co-Owner Zak Brown (seated in ex-John Watson Formula One 1979 McLaren M28) with Stefan Johansson

For further information concerning Legends of Motorsports, please contact:

Jana Watt

Legends of Motorsports, Public Relations

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“Flying Dutchman” Luyendyk Completes United Autosports’ “Stellar” 24 Hours of Spa Line-Up

·       Former two-time Indy 500 race winner will achieve Spa race début in July

·       Driver “combos” set for Anglo-American team’s three-car Audi R8 LMS entry

Double Indianapolis 500 race winner Arie Luyendyk contests his first serious race in almost 10 years when the “Flying Dutchman” drives for United Autosports in the Total 24 Hours of Spa (July 30-31).

Somewhat surprisingly considering that Arie was born 150-miles from the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Luyendyk will be racing at the Belgian venue for the first time. He visited the 4.35-mile track last month (March 29) when he tested the GT3 class Audi for the Anglo-American team currently at Paul Ricard (France) for 2011 FIA GT3 European Championship Media Days.

1990 & ’97 Indy 500 race winner Luyendyk, who raced for 10 years in Europe before moving permanently to America where he remains today, tested at Spa along with Matt Bell (GB), Richard Meins (GB) and Henri Richard (F) while Johnny Herbert (GB) also joined the action having flown in from the Australian Grand Prix where the Briton was present in the role of an FIA Steward at the season-opening Formula One race.   

Luyendyk enjoyed a distinguished racing career. His last “proper” race was the Indy 500 in 2002 and last raced in Europe in the 1989 Le Mans 24 Hours. Arie has “competed” at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (GB) in 2005 & ‘08 and contested the Mille Miglia last year. He competed in 17 "500's", leading eight of them, and set the single- and four-lap average (236.986mph) qualifying records in 1996.

United Autosports’ first-ever three-car race line-up will be:

Audi R8 LMS – Entry 1:

Alain Li (F); Arie Luyendyk (NL); Richard Meins (GB); Henri Richard (F)

Audi R8 LMS – Entry 2:

Zak Brown (USA); Richard Dean (GB); Johnny Herbert (GB); Stefan Johansson (SE)

Audi R8 LMS – Entry 3:

Matt Bell (GB); Mark Blundell (GB); Eddie Cheever (USA); Mark Patterson (USA)

Arie Luyendyk (pictured) was at the magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the first time in career last week driving the United Autosports Audi R8 LMS

Arie Luyendyk (NL). Age: 57. Born: Sommelsdijk, The Netherlands. Lives: Fountain Hills, AZ, USA:

Spa 24Hr: Début. Spa History: Début. Other 24Hr races: Daytona (1986/2^nd, 1988/89/91/97 (all DNFs), 1998/1^st, 1999/8^th; Le Mans (1989/DNF).

"I’m excited about driving in the same team with the likes of Eddie [Cheever], Johnny [Herbert], Mark [Blundell] and Stefan [Johansson] – they’re a great bunch of guys and we all go back a long way – it’ll be so much fun. The Audi is a very sexy looking car and the guys had told me it was a blast to drive which I found out for myself last month.

“I like 24 Hour races and have always enjoyed doing them. It’s about getting into a rhythm, a flow, so I’m looking forward to that again and the fact that I get to drive at Spa which was a very important factor in my decision. I have never raced at Spa – in fact I’d never been to the track before last month’s test – and I always thought that something was missing in my racing career.

“From what I’d seen many times on television and of course what I’d been told, actually getting out on the circuit just confirmed that the place is simply awesome. One session of eight laps would have been worth it to me in flying from the USA! The track has everything, it’s just tremendous, probably one of the greatest if not the greatest track I have driven. The team is very professional and a top notch operation. I love the Audi R8 LMS but still have to get used to the electronic gizmos such as ABS braking and traction control.

“My father, Jaap, raced an Alfa Romeo 1300 at Spa in 1965 but I didn’t go with him, I was too young and in school. He suffered a huge accident, crashing off the road and hit a tree head on – which ended up next to him in the car! He was lucky to survive but broke both knees.”

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

“I’ve of course known of Arie for a long time . . . I watched him race many, many times in Champ Car and the Indy Racing League . . . and was at both of his Indy 500 wins. The guy was truly incredible around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will therefore be a privilege to welcome Arie in to the United Autosports team which allows him to fulfill his dream of racing at Spa.”

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

“Arie is a legend! A couple of years ago, I watched him on stage being honored for his two Indy 500 wins and it was only then I realized the depth of what he has achieved in also winning the Daytona 24 and Sebring 12 Hour sports car races. It will be great to have his experience within our ranks and also adds another interesting element for the race fans and a rare opportunity to see the Dutchman race in Europe. I am sure we will see plenty of Orange shirts at Spa in support of him!”

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, 523 PS, emission control by two racing catalytic converters, rear-wheel-drive, traction control (ASR), sequential pneumatic activated 6-speed sport gearbox with shift-paddles, Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum with bolted steel roll-cage, carbon-fiber composite/aluminum bodywork, Dunlop (for FIA & Spa 24Hr) and Avon (for BGT) radial tires. Start weight TBA. 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.

* Comprehensive Luyendyk biography plus team & car profiles are available on the United Autosports website http://www.unitedautosports.com/

* Arie Luyendyk photographs from Spa test 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