• 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
No comments:
Post a Comment