United Autosports Achieves Stunning Fourth Place Finish On Rolex 24 Début As A Mere 3.752 secs Covers Top-Four

·       Mark Patterson takes #23 Riley-Ford in to the lead at one-quarter distance

·       American team fights back into podium contention after mid-race dramas

·       “Stellar” driver line-up cruelly just miss out on top-three finish on “home” soil

Mark Blundell (GB), Zak Brown (USA), Martin Brundle (GB) and Mark Patterson (USA) achieved a magnificent fourth  place finish in the 49^th Rolex 24 At Daytona twice-around-the-clock endurance race In Florida (USA) today (Sunday January 30).

The United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing entry began the prestigious annual race yesterday afternoon from ninth place (1min 40.784secs, 127.163mph) in the 48-car field courtesy of Brundle’s excellent qualifying performance on Thursday afternoon.

The #23 Riley was up to third place three hours in to the race and despite Brundle suffering a slow right rear punctured tire near the end of his second stint, necessitating a slightly earlier than scheduled pit-stop, Patterson led at one-quarter distance (six hours) – Mark heading a race in a DP for the very first time in his seven year GRAND-AM career.

Third-placed Brundle was tagged from behind at the re-start following a caution period in the ninth hour costing around 30secs and slipping to eighth. The 1988 Daytona race winner went on to complete almost a full second “stint” – the team generally opting for single driver “stints” – but was forced to pit prematurely once again after running over a large piece of debris which damaged the nose section necessitating new front bodywork.

Patterson resumed third but approaching mid-distance was punted in to a spin – the culprit receiving a drive-thru penalty – and later pitted for another new front nose section due to splitter damage, a broken “stay” and damaged front brake cooling duct repairs – a legacy from the Brundle incident.

Zak Brown was presented with the Jim Trueman Award after the race

Blundell resumed 10^th but three laps down after a near six minute pit-stop with the Daytona “rookie” subsequently surviving two separate “hits”, Mark placing eighth at the halfway mark before pitting for a third front nose change due to these latest contacts.

The front brake pads were changed at the end of Brown’s stint with the rear pads changed shortly after Patterson had taken over from Brundle – the team taking advantage of the race running under yellow caution flags – ultimately for almost three hours starting shortly before 6am – due to fog which had reduced visibility.

Clever team strategy during “yellows” plus Patterson and Brown – the latter getting the #23 Riley back on the lead lap in his final stint and later awarded the Jim Trueman Award for the top-placed Pro-Am driver – setting consistent and competitive lap times along with their “illustrious” team-mates, allowed Brundle back into fifth place with a little over five hours remaining less than 10secs behind the leader. 

With four hours to run Brundle, double “stinting” once more, was third – 47secs down on the leader – Blundell taking over from his fellow former Le Mans 24 Hour race winner and was less than one second behind the leader (#02) when #01 was given a time penalty for a pit infringement.

  

Brundle took over from Blundell and rejoined still third and with 0.75secs covering the top-three with 80mins to run but Martin slipped to fourth place with 65mins remaining, Brundle ultimately taking the checker fourth, a mere 3.752secs behind the winner after 721-laps, 2,563.2-miles – and just 0.75secs behind the third-placed finisher after a final full course caution in the final seven minutes.

Martin also set the #23 Riley’s fastest lap around the 3.56-mile, 12-turn course that utilizes sections of re-surfaced Daytona International Speedway “oval” plus infield section – a 1min 41.549secs (126.205mph) on lap 413 of the race at 5am this morning.

The race, run throughout in dry weather conditions and warm daytime temperatures, featured 23 full course cautions accounting for 125 laps behind the pace car.



#23 Johnnie Walker / UBS / Legends of Motorsports / Just Marketing International / GAC Logistics / Thunderhead / FXI / Luke’s Joint – Riley-Ford

DRIVER ROTATIONS: MBR/MP/MBL/ZB/MBR/MP/MBL/ZB/MBR/MP/MBL/ZB/MBR/MP/MBL/ZB/MBR/MBL

#23 HOURLY POSITIONS: Start Pos 9^th; 1hr 4^th (-18.734s P1 #01); 2hr 6^th (-5.066 P1 #90); 3hr 9^th (-7.933s P1 #55); 4hr 9^th (-98.941s P1 #10); 5hr 7^th (-14.005s P1 #5); 6hr 1^st (+0.592s); 7hr 4^th (-18.851s P1 #01); 8hr 9^th (-76.737s P1 #01); 9hr 7^th (-17.826s P1 #01); 10hr 5^th (-83.062s P1 #01); 11hr 6^th (-67.360s P1 #6); 12hr 8^th (-3 laps, P1 #9); 13hr 8^th (-3 laps P1 #01); 14hr 8^th (-2 laps P1 #01); 15hr 7^th (-2 laps P1 #5); 16hr 7^th (-1 lap P1 #5); 17hr 7^th (1 lap P1 #02); 18hr 7^th (-1 lap P1 #02); 19hr 5^th (-16.370s P1 #02); 20hr 3^rd (-46.180s P1 #02); 21hr 3^rd (-16.739s P1 #01); 22hr 3^rd (-1.620 P1 #02); 23hr 4^th (-6.895s P1 #02); FINISH P4 (3.752s P1 #01).



Mark Blundell (GB). Age: 44. Born: Barnet, England. Lives: Royston, England.

Daytona History: One 24Hr race. Daytona 24Hr: Début 2011. 2011 4^th (Riley-Ford). Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1989, 1990, 1992/1^st, 1995/4^th, 2001, 2002, 2003/2^nd); Spa, Belgium (2010 9^th/3^rd in class).

“We got so close to being on the podium and after the excitement of a top-three result being on the cards, finishing fourth, so close to a podium, is a little deflating. But I think we did a tremendous job and it was a great effort by the team. All four drivers contributed in every way. We turned up here saying that if we could get in to the top-six, that would be a good performance – and we managed fourth, so I guess we should be very happy with ourselves.”

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

Daytona History: Four 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1997. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 5. 1997/8^th o/a, 2^nd GTS, 1999, 2000 (GT), 2010 33^rd/20^th (GT), 2011 4^th (Riley-Ford). Other 24Hr races: BritCar, Silverstone, GB (2^nd o/a, 1^st in class); Spa, Belgium (2010 9^th/3^rd in class).

“Fourth place and to be on the lead lap, fighting for a podium with a chance for us winning on our Daytona début and our first race in the US, is fantastic. The two Marks and Martin did a great job – I couldn’t be happier. Of course it is a little disappointing not to get on the podium when we were a couple of feet away but hey, we’ll take a fourth in this field.”

Martin Brundle (GB). Age: 51. Born: King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England. Lives: Gayton, Norfolk, England.

Daytona History: Three 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1988. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 3. 1988: 1^st (Jaguar XJR-9); 1990: 2^nd (Jaguar XJR-12); 2011 4^th (Riley-Ford). Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1987, 1988, 1990/1^st, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001; Spa, Belgium (1983, 1984); Willhire, Snetterton, GB (1980/1^st in class).    

“We all put in some pretty amazing stints. We clawed our way into a podium slot but we didn’t quite have enough when it was needed. I made a banzai move at the end but that was more in hope than anything else. I think between us we have done a great job. We have 2 ‘retired pros’ in Mark and I plus 2 Pro-Am drivers up against car line-ups featuring four ‘current’ hot shoes. I’m kind of disappointed but that is typical me of me – I wanted that podium. My goal was a top-10 on the grid and top-five in the race and we achieved both so I think we covered ourselves with a bit of glory and maybe surprised more than a few people.”

Mark Patterson (USA). Age: 59. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, N.Y., USA. 

Daytona History: Eight 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 2004. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 8. (2004 38^th/13^th SGS, 2005 23^rd/14^th (DP), 2006/2^nd (DP), 2007/9^th (DP), 2008/6^th (DP), 2009 41^st/16^th (DP), 2010/7^th (DP), 2011 4^th (Riley-Ford). Other 24Hr races: Spa, Belgium (2009 17^th o/a, 2010 10^th/4^th in class).   

“I had some great stints, particularly the one in the fog, sticking at 60mph for what seemed like an eternity was fantastic fun! The team brought us back in to the race with great strategy. These two Formula 1 drivers in our team really demonstrated their competitiveness and helped Zak and I play our part.”

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

“We had a great time. Martin almost grabbed P2 on that last move. Both he and Mark still have plenty of gas in their tanks while Zak and Mark drove stellar races. If you consider we were down multiple laps and came back in to contention that has to be a pretty cool achievement for the #23 car.”

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

“It was United Autosports’ second 24 hour race and I’ve a similar feeling immediately after this race to how I felt [in our first one] at Spa. I can’t help feeling disappointed again. Before the start here we would have taken fourth place for sure but having led and been in contention for a podium for much of the race, it hurts a little. I’m a little fed up of being so close but taking the positives, it’s another result for the team to build on. If we keep focused that elusive first race win is bound to happen – soon!”

United Autosports Switches Focus To Double European Campaign With Audi R8 LMS Sports Cars



United Autosports’ 2011 FIA GT3 European Championship line-up at Daytona (l-r): Matt Bell, Zak Brown, Joe Osborne and Mark Patterson



While further GRAND-AM race outings are a possibility, United Autosports now switches its attention to preparing for a hectic, closely fought season of GT racing in Europe. A brace of Audi R8 LMS GT3 class sports cars will bid for honors in both the FIA GT3 European and British GT Championships this year.

In addition to the 12 (FIA) and 14 (BGT) races, the England-based team plans to compete in the 24 Hours of Spa (Belgium) and the Macau GT races again – a program supported by Draper Tools. A concerted test program is scheduled to begin in two weeks time. 

British duo Joe Osborne and Matt Bell, both interested spectators at Daytona this weekend, together with Brown and Patterson, will be at Navarra (Spain) over February 15-16 with all three of its Audi R8 LMS cars marking Osborne’s first run in an Audi. Meanwhile United Autosports’ British GT duo of John Bintcliffe and Jay Palmer will have their first runs in an R8 LMS at Silverstone (England) on March 4.

Joe Osborne (GB). Age: 21. Lives: Olney nr Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England:

“It’s been three months since I signed to drive for United Autosports and to have the first test just two weeks or so away is a fantastic feeling. It’s my first time driving an Audi and first time at Navaara – I can’t wait to get out there – I’m so, so excited about the season ahead.”

Matt Bell (GB). Age: 21. Lives: Barningham nr Richmond, North Yorkshire, England:

“I’m very much looking forward to the test especially considering I last drove the Audi in October – I’ve never wanted Christmas to come and go so fast in my life! I’ve a very busy year ahead contesting two championships so it’s vital I prepare properly for what is only my second full season of motor racing. My first race is on Easter Monday so we’ll be packing in plenty of testing in the next couple of months.”

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.

Audi R8 LMS

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. Limitation at 8500rpm for every gear. Developed by Audi Sport with cooperation from quattro GmbH.  

United Autosports

Co-owned by Zak Brown and Richard Dean, the US-owned, UK-based team was formed in 2010 and contested the 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 Blundell, Brown, Brundle and Patterson biographies plus team profiles on United Autosports and Michael Shank Racing are available to download from the United Autosports website www.unitedautosports.com/pdf/daytona_presskit.pdf.

* Editorial Copyright free photographs from Daytona are available on www.flickr.com/unitedautosports.

* Driver interviews (.MP3 format) can be downloaded from www.unitedautosports.com/press.cfm 

United Autosports Entry To Start Rolex 24 At Daytona From Fifth Row

·       1988 Daytona race winner Martin Brundle sets ninth fastest time in qualifying

·       Foundations laid for a successful “home” race début for American team

The United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing entry starts the 49^th Rolex 24 At Daytona in Florida (USA) tomorrow (Saturday January 29, 3.30pm local) from the fifth row of the 49-car grid.

Martin Brundle (GB) commendably set the ninth fastest time in the solitary 15mins qualifying session on Thursday afternoon, stopping the clock at 1min 40.784secs, an average speed of 127.163mph around the 3.56-mile, 12-turn course utilizing sections of the recently re-paved Daytona International Speedway “oval” plus infield section.

Brundle, along with co-drivers Mark Blundell (GB), Zak Brown (USA) and Mark Patterson (USA) have spent the last two days fine tuning their Riley-Ford Daytona Prototype during the four practice sessions the quartet participated in with the aim of marking American-owned United Autosports’ maiden race on “home soil” a successful one.

The team installed a new engine and various other components, as scheduled, overnight in preparation for the race which ran a distance of almost 2,700-miles last year and at an average speed of over 110mph.

Sponsorship for United Autosports’ maiden North American foray, the opening round of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16, includes Johnnie Walker, UBS, Legends of Motorsports, Just Marketing International, GAC Logistics, Thunderhead, FXI and Luke’s Joint.

Mark Blundell (GB). Age: 44. Born: Barnet, England. Lives: Royston, England.

Daytona History: None. Daytona 24Hr: Début. Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1989, 1990, 1992/1^st, 1995/4^th, 2001, 2002, 2003/2^nd); Spa, Belgium (2010/3^rd in class).

“Overall we’re all happy considering our level of experience with the DP car. Progress has been good over the past couple of days covering off everything we needed to. Martin did a great job in qualifying. Night running went well on Thursday evening. We’ve made our scheduled engine change overnight in readiness for the race and missed this morning’s session just finishing off our final preparations. We’ll scrub in our tires in the last session today. I can feel the pressure building.”

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

Daytona History: Four 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1997. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 4. 1997/8^th o/a, 2^nd GTS, 1999, 2000 (GT), 2010 33^rd/20^th (GT). Other 24Hr races: BritCar, Silverstone, GB (2^nd o/a, 1^st in class); Spa, Belgium (2010/3^rd in class).

“I’m pleased with the way the week has gone so far. Martin and the team did a great job in qualifying. The practice sessions over the last two days have shown we should have good race pace which could put us in contention for a podium but whatever, it’ll be a 24 hour sprint race involving around 15 DPs! We just need to do our job and keep the car in one piece. We have a stellar driver line-up but that applies to the entire field. The weather forecast looks good but the track action will definitely be hot. I’m very excited about United Autosports contesting its first ‘home’ race in the States having last year raced throughout Europe and in Asia in our maiden season.”

Martin Brundle (GB). Age: 51. Born: King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England. Lives: Gayton, Norfolk, England.

Daytona History: Two 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1988. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 2. 1988: 1^st (Jaguar XJR-9); 1990: 2^nd (Jaguar XJR-12); Last raced at Daytona 1990. Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1987, 1988, 1990/1^st, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001; Spa, Belgium (1983, 1984); Willhire, Snetterton, GB (1980/1^st in class).    

“I was pleased and very satisfied with my qualifying performance. We’d targeted a top-10 place and I was P9, less than seven tenths of a second off ‘pole’. The top-10 is very close and there is more time to come from the car and myself. The guys ahead of me are all regularly competing – either in GRAND-AM, other sportscar categories or IndyCar so I have to be happy. I’m still a little rusty and that was my first ever qualifying run in a DP. I’m very excited about the race. Our car is working very well in race trim and is especially good under braking – we’re right on the pace. We’ve set the car up as a ‘raceable’ car.”

Mark Patterson (USA). Age: 59. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, N.Y., USA. 

Daytona History: Seven 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 2004. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 7. (2004 38^th/13^th SGS, 2005 23^rd/14^th (DP), 2006/2^nd (DP), 2007/9^th (DP), 2008/6^th (DP), 2009 41^st/16^th (DP), 2010/7^th (DP). Other 24Hr races: Spa, Belgium (2009 17^th o/a, 2010/4^th in class).   

“The race build-up has been good with the team completely gelling. We’ve been out in daylight and for night practice. All four drivers are comfortable and relaxed in all conditions. We’ve got ourselves a very stable and ‘drivable’ car and I’m very optimistic we can achieve a good result come Sunday afternoon. The first time I came here to Daytona I didn’t really understand the ‘power’ of the Rolex 24 but I think I’m pretty much up to speed with it now as I prepare for my eighth Rolex!”

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

“I’m very happy with the way the United Autosports association has worked out. It’s a great example the way a partnership can work. The field is very, very tight, but the #23 Riley-Ford has been on the pace and improved its times throughout while Martin qualified superbly. Dale has done a great job engineering the car.”

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

“We’ve consistently improved our times as the days have progressed which is very encouraging and I believe our race pace will be the same. Qualifying in the top-10 has been a great performance considering the experience, or rather lack of it, that both Mark [Blundell] and Martin, and Zak for that matter who is racing a DP for the first time, have of this type of car combined with the limited amount of time they’ve had behind the wheel. When we came here for the test at the beginning of the month, we were 2-3secs off the pace to begin with but finished up a little over a second off the fastest time. Here we are after qualifying less than seven tenths of a second away. The race should be good.”

Rolex 24 At Daytona Television Coverage:

Saturday, Jan. 22: (F/X) Grand Am: 24 Hours at Daytona Preview 11pm.

Sunday, Jan. 23: (SPEED) Grand Am: 24 Hours at Daytona Preview 8pm.

Saturday, Jan. 29: (SPEED) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (The Start) 3-10pm. (Live)

Saturday, Jan. 29: (Eurosport 2) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (The Start) 8.30pm (UK time)

Saturday, Jan. 29: (Eurosport 2) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona 10.15pm (UK time)

Sunday, Jan. 30: (SPEED) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (The Finish) 9am-4pm (Live)

Sunday, Jan 30: (Eurosport 2) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (The Finish) 6.45pm (UK time).

Rolex 24 At Daytona Live timing:

Practice, Qualifying & Race at: http://www.grand-am.com/

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 2010 and contested the 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 Blundell, Brown, Brundle and Patterson biographies plus team profiles on United Autosports and Michael Shank Racing are available to download from the United Autosports website at www.unitedautosports.com/pdf/daytona_presskit.pdf.

* Editorial Copyright free photographs from the test, practice & qualifying are available on www.flickr.com/unitedautosports.

* Post “Roar Before 24”, race previews and post qualifying driver interviews (.MP3 format) can be downloaded from www.unitedautosports.com/press.cfm while post Race interviews will be available on Sunday evening.

* Television footage downloads: For information on content, contact Jillian Brooks, NASCAR Media Group 704-726-8625 or jbrooks@nascar.com For information on use, contact Helen Pardee, GRAND-AM Road Racing (386) 682-8008 or hpardee@grand-am.com For technical assistance or information during the feed:   877-842-9288   Pin# 644158

Saturday, January 29      5-5.30pm & 9.30-10pm (EST)

Sunday, January 30          5:00-5:30pm (EST)

 

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United Autosports Aiming For Rolex 24 At Daytona Race Honors On US Début

• Second 24 hour race for American-owned team – first race in North America
• Stellar driver line-up for United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing entry

Mark Blundell (GB), Zak Brown (USA), Martin Brundle (GB) and Mark Patterson (USA) contest the 49th Rolex 24 At Daytona in Florida (USA) over January 29-30 – North America's only twice-around-the-clock sports car race which marks the maiden race on "home soil" for the American-owned United Autosports team.

The Anglo-American quartet race a Riley-Ford Daytona Prototype at the legendary Daytona International Speedway located 60-miles north of Orlando, the historic race staged on a 3.56-mile, 12-turn course utilizing sections of the recently re-paved DIS "oval" plus infield section.

United Autosports was formed last year to compete primarily in the FIA GT3 European Championship with a brace of Audi R8 LMS GT3 class sports cars operated out of a raceshop in England and has joined forces with GRAND-AM regular entrant Michael Shank Racing for its first race on US soil.

United Autosports Chairman and Co-Owner Zak Brown is no stranger to the Rolex 24 At Daytona but races a DP for the first time while fellow American Mark Patterson is a "veteran" of eight Rolex 24 events having finished second in 2006.

1988 Daytona 24 Hour race winner Martin Brundle is contesting his first international sportscar race since finishing third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 10 years ago – a race the Englishman won in 1990. Brundle, who also finished second at Daytona in '90 – his only other Rolex 24 entry – shares a racecar for the very first time in his lengthy and illustrious career with fellow former 24 Hours of Le Mans race winner and Grand Prix Formula One ace Mark Blundell who set the #23 Riley's fastest lap (1min 40.904secs) at the "Roar Before the 24" earlier this month (January 9) – Mark's first ever visit to the Daytona facility. Brundle set a personal fastest within a hundredth of a second of Blundell's time with Brown and Patterson also on the pace.

Sponsorship for United Autosports' maiden North American foray, the opening round of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16, includes Johnnie Walker, UBS, Legends of Motorsports, Just Marketing International, GAC Logistics, Thunderhead, FXI and Luke's Joint.

Mark Blundell (GB). Age: 44. Born: Barnet, England. Lives: Royston, England.
Daytona History: None. Daytona 24Hr: Début. Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1989, 1990, 1992/1st, 1995/4th, 2001, 2002, 2003/2nd); Spa, Belgium (2010/3rd in class).

"All of the set-up work was completed at the test with all drivers having good input and the team doing a tremendous job. Going through data with Richard [Dean] was also very helpful as even with our levels of experience, you never stop learning.

Our car is capable of qualifying in the top-six if we get everything right and have a little luck but I will be happy with a top-10 place on the grid. Then if we can finish in the top-six I think we will have done a tremendous job. The field is ultra-competitive. We are running with current Indy Car drivers including Indy Car Champions and Indy 500 winners plus NASCAR multiple champions. There are top flight cars, top flight teams and top flight drivers. We are not going to kid ourselves but we do have a chance of getting a result. Whoever can carve through the traffic the quickest and the safest is in with a good chance of a top result."


Zak Brown (USA). Age: 39. Born: Los Angeles, California, USA. Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA.
Daytona History: Four 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1997. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 4. 1997/8th o/a, 2nd GTS, 1999, 2000 (GT), 2010 33rd/20th (GT). Other 24Hr races: BritCar, Silverstone, GB (2nd o/a, 1st in class); Spa, Belgium (2010/3rd in class).

"As Chairman of an American team, I'm hugely excited to have United Autosports racing on 'home' soil in the biggest endurance race in the States. And to do it with two ex-Formula One drivers, both of whom have previously won at Le Mans, and in a car that is capable of a top result, makes it all the more special so it is a big moment for United Autosports.

Our first objective is to finish but there is no reason why we cannot achieve a top result. We have just got to stay out of the pits, stay out of trouble, don't do anything stupid and don't self inflict ourselves with any wounds. If we do that, I think we can pull off a great result."

Martin Brundle (GB). Age: 51. Born: King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. Lives: Gayton, Norfolk, England.Daytona History: Two 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1988. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 2. 1988: 1st (Jaguar XJR-9); 1990: 2nd (Jaguar XJR-12); Last raced at Daytona 1990. Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1987, 1988, 1990/1st, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001; Spa, Belgium (1983, 1984); Willhire, Snetterton, GB (1980/1st in class).

"We won't be the fastest out there so we have got to be the smartest and stay out of trouble, stay out of the pits and see how far we get. If we've managed that come Sunday morning then we could be looking at a good result. If you look at the line-ups in the race, the drivers are young pros at the highest levels of motorsport. Many of these guys are doing this week in week out, year in, year out. They know this race, they know the track.

It'll be tremendous fun, if not a tiring experience remembering what it was like for me in 1988 and '90 but I'm really looking forward to the race weekend."

Mark Patterson (USA). Age: 59. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, N.Y., USA.
Daytona History: Seven 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 2004. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 7. (2004 38th/13th SGS, 2005 23rd/14th (DP), 2006/2nd (DP), 2007/9th (DP), 2008/6th (DP), 2009 41st/16th (DP), 2010/7th (DP). Other 24Hr races: Spa, Belgium (2009 17th o/a, 2010/4th in class).

"There is tremendous quality in terms of drivers and teams. Staying out of the garage wins you this race and that's what it's all about. The two class racing [DP & GT] in GRAND-AM obviously adds spice in terms of lapping slower traffic – it's important to pace yourself in making the pass on these slower cars. Zak, Mark and I did Spa together last summer while working with Martin is a blast.

I hope we can do well. We have got some good competition even from within the Michael Shank Racing team with all three teams having a great opportunity for a top-six result."


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

"After the Daytona test, we know what our pace is and what we need to do during the race. A big thing is not making mistakes and staying out of trouble and these guys all understand that fully with all of them experienced in 24 hour races."

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

"Mike [Shank] knows the GRAND-AM Series inside out and his guys know the car inside out so my role is more an over-seeing one. Listening over the radio and checking the computers so that I can pass on information to our drivers at change-over for example. When a driver gets out of the car I will be able to give him details about the stint. Normally I am much more hands on but this is nevertheless interesting for me. I've competed in the Rolex having attended the race with my Dad when I was a school kid – it's legendary."


Rolex 24 At Daytona – Provisional Timetable
Thursday, January 27
10-11.30am Practice
1.30-2.30pm Practice
3.45-4pm Qualifying (Daytona Prototypes)
6.30-8.30pm Practice

Friday, January 28
9-9.45am Practice
11am-12pm Practice

Saturday, January 29
12.15pm Driver autograph session
2.15pm Grid opens
3pm Pre-race ceremonies/ All cars on the grid
3.30pm START – 49th Rolex 24 At Daytona

Sunday, January 30
3.30pm FINISH – 49th Rolex 24 At Daytona

Rolex 24 At Daytona Television Coverage:
Saturday, Jan. 22: (F/X) Grand Am: 24 Hours at Daytona Preview 11pm.
Sunday, Jan. 23: (SPEED) Grand Am: 24 Hours at Daytona Preview 8pm.
Saturday, Jan. 29: (SPEED) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (The Start) 3-10pm. (Live)
Saturday, Jan. 29: (Eurosport 2) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (The Start) 8.30pm (UK time)
Saturday, Jan. 29: (Eurosport 2) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona 10.15pm (UK time)
Sunday, Jan. 30: (SPEED) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (The Finish) 9am-4pm (Live)
Sunday, Jan 30: (Eurosport 2) Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (The Finish) 6.45pm (UK time).

Rolex 24 At Daytona Live timing:
Practice, Qualifying & Race at: http://www.grand-am.com/

Sole British-based “official customer” Audi team makes Autosport International Show début

Left to right: Joe Osborne, Matt Bell, United Autosports Co-Owner Richard Dean, Draper Tools’ Ray Kirby,

Jay Palmer and John Bintcliffe.

Thousands of visitors attended the annual motorsport show held at the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham (England) last weekend (January 13-16) which saw United Autosports display both of its Audi R8 LMS sports cars.

After a voyage of over 15,000 miles which began in late October after the FIA GT3 European Championship finalé at Zolder (Belgium) for the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup race in Zhuhai (China) and the Macau GT Cup race, its brace of Audi GT3 class sports cars only arrived back at its raceshop near Leeds (England) on January 8.

United Autosports Co-Owner Richard Dean was present along with a number of its GT driver squad including Matt Bell, John Bintcliffe, Jay Palmer and Joe Osborne with Daytona duo Blundell and Brundle also in attendance during the course of the four-day show.

One R8 LMS was on display in the foyer of the nearby Hilton Metropole with the other on the Motors TV stand. A brand new Audi R8 LMS is expected to arrive at the United Autosports raceshop later this month with the team’s first test of the season scheduled for Navarra (Spain) over February 14-15 in which Audi Sport UK’s ex-British Touring Car Championship race winner Bintcliffe plus Palmer and Osborne will all get behind the wheel of the V10, 5.2-liter engined Audi for the first time.

United Autosports will enter a brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars in the FIA GT3 European and British GT Championships this year.

• See a gallery of images from the Show here: www.flickr.com/unitedautosports

United Autosports Completes Successful Rolex 24 At Daytona Test Weekend

· Daytona "rookie" Mark Blundell sets #23's quickest lap at "Roar Before the Rolex 24" official three-day test
· Discovery Channel to produce TV program on United Autosports' first foray in North America
· Audi's sole British-based "official customer" team displays R8 LMS GT3 sports cars at Autosport International this week

United Autosports concluded a successful three-day official test at the "Roar Before the Rolex 24" today (Sunday January 9) in advance of the 49th running of the world famous Daytona race later this month.

The United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing entered Riley Daytona Prototype completed a total of over 300 laps around the challenging 3.56-mile, 12-turn combined speedway road course.

All four drivers, Mark Blundell (GB), Zak Brown (USA), Martin Brundle (GB) and Mark Patterson (USA), were present to prepare for this year's Rolex 24 At Daytona that is staged over January 29-30.

1988 Daytona 24 Hour race victor Brundle returned to the famous Florida venue for the first time since finishing second in 1990. Meanwhile fellow former 24 Hours of Le Mans race winner and Grand Prix Formula One ace Blundell turned his first ever laps at Daytona.

Zak Brown, Chairman & Co-Owner of United Autosports, was driving a DP for only the second time – the first-time at Daytona – while fellow American Mark Patterson prepared for his eighth Rolex 24 – his seventh driving a DP having finished second in 2006.

Blundell set the fastest lap for the #23 Riley – a 1min 40.904secs, an average speed of 127.011mph – for the sixth fastest time on Sunday morning and 13th fastest combined time over the entire test. Brundle set a personal fastest, also on Sunday morning, within a hundredth of a second of his former Grand Prix team-mate. The team enjoyed a trouble-free test and concentrated on finding a comfortable, consistent car set-up for North America's only twice-around-the-clock sports car race as opposed to outright qualifying pace with all four drivers regularly setting competitive lap times.

The test featured eight timed sessions, all staged in dry, sunny if sometimes breezy and cool weather conditions, amounting to 705 minutes of track time for the 50-car field on the recently re-paved Speedway. Race week on-track action begins on Thursday January 27 for the opening round of the 2011 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.

Sponsors for United Autosports' maiden race in North America include Johnnie Walker, UBS AG, Legends of Motorsports, Just Marketing International, GAC Logistics, Thunderhead Communications, FXI and Luke's Joint.

Discovery Channel To Follow United Autosports' Progress At Rolex 24
A TV crew from Discovery Channel's How Do They Do It? will follow the team's exploits over the Daytona race weekend and broadcast the program this summer. It is one of the world's most popular technology shows and is broadcast to over 150 countries (over 1.25 billion subscribers) in Asia, Australasia, Europe, North and South America plus South Africa.

Autosport International, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham (England)
Zak Brown and Richard Dean take part in a Grand-Am Press Conference in Concourse Suite 25 on Thursday January 13 (11am). Meanwhile Joe Osborne, John Bintcliffe and Jay Palmer, who make their respective débuts for United Autosports in the FIA GT3 European (Osborne) and Avon Tyres British GT Championships (Bintcliffe & Palmer) driving an Audi R8 LMS, will also be in attendance at the annual show along with fellow Briton Matt Bell, who contests his second FIA GT3 season for United Autosports and also the BGT this season.

Joe, John, Jay and Matt will be on the Motors TV Stand (Hall 20, 6765) on Thursday at 3.45pm for a photoshoot & interview opportunity. The following day (Friday January 14), Brown and Dean are joined by Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell on the Sunoco Stand (Hall 6, Stand 6565) at 2.30-3.30pm for an informal Press Call and autograph session alongside a Crown Royal Daytona Prototype. Ross Kaiser, winner of the Sunoco Daytona Challenge, will also be in attendance.

Mark Blundell (GB). Age: 44. Born: Barnet, England. Lives: Royston, England.
Daytona History: None. Daytona 24Hr: Début. Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1989, 1990, 1992/1st, 1995/4th, 2001, 2002, 2003/2nd); Spa, Belgium (2010/3rd in class).


"I drove in to the Speedway for the first time in my life on Thursday morning and it was an awesome sight – let's face it the venue and race is known worldwide. I drove on 'ovals' in my Indycar career and I never found it to be a big deal but the banking here at Daytona is over 30 degrees. Problems can arise coming off the banking in to the infield section which makes life interesting. There are no references at Turn 1 while the high-speed chicane, called the 'bus-stop', can also be tricky due to the same problem, but after three-days, I've gradually got to know my way around and I now feel comfortable. The #23 Riley worked well and I firmly believe our race prospects are promising. I've not contested the Rolex 24 previously but having raced and been successful in 24 hour races at Le Mans, and at Spa with United Autosports last year, it's all about working towards the race as opposed to one lap 'fliers' in that the car is useable and predicable for all four drivers for the entire duration."

Zak Brown (USA). Age: 39. Born: Los Angeles, California, USA. Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA.
Daytona History: Four 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1997. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 4. 1997/8th o/a, 2nd GTS, 1999, 2000 (GT), 2010 33rd/20th (GT). Other 24Hr races: BritCar, Silverstone, GB (2nd o/a, 1st in class); Spa, Belgium (2010/3rd in class).

"This is only the second time I've driven a DP [Daytona Prototype] and the first time here at Daytona and I've driven within my personal limits. All four drivers are up to speed while crucially the team gelled over the test days and so to summarize, everything went very well. Our Riley was competitive in each session, we didn't have any major issues, so I'm very happy. We won't be the fastest car in the race and we didn't spend the last three days trying to achieve putting in the ultimate one lap but our pace is nevertheless good. We also had a lot of fun, with plenty of banter from Mark [Blundell] and Martin, which is great."

Martin Brundle (GB). Age: 51. Born: King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. Lives: Gayton, Norfolk, England.
Daytona History: Two 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1988. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 2. 1988: 1st (Jaguar XJR-9); 1990: 2nd (Jaguar XJR-12); Last raced at Daytona 1990. Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1987, 1988, 1990/1st, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001; Spa, Belgium (1983, 1984); Willhire, Snetterton, GB (1980/1st in class).

"Pulling on my race suit, putting on my helmet, and jumping in a race car again, I did feel a little anxious. It's 10 years really since I raced professionally and so it's natural to have self doubts initially. But once out on to the track, everything comes back to you, it's natural – just like swimming or riding a bike, you never forget how to do it. I quickly shook off the rust and dropped back in to the groove. We progressively improved the car between us each day and my times came down. It was the first time I'd driven a DP and nothing was a big surprise to me. They don't have much downforce and are much heavier than a Formula One car for example but I was pleasantly surprised. The last time I was here was in 1990 and the track is now in great condition in terms of the quality of the surface, kerbs and run-off areas – the entire venue looks a million dollars."

Mark Patterson (USA). Age: 59. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, N.Y., USA. 

Daytona History: Seven 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 2004. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 7. (2004 38th/13th SGS, 2005 23rd/14th (DP), 2006/2nd (DP), 2007/9th (DP), 2008/6th (DP), 2009 41st/16th (DP), 2010/7th (DP). Other 24Hr races: Spa, Belgium (2009 17th o/a, 2010/4th in class).

"We made excellent progress over the three days to the point that we have a real good, fast race car. I've been with Michael Shank Racing for a number of years in GRAND-AM and I believe this test has shown Zak and Richard made a great choice to run with them in conjunction with United Autosports. We possibly made slower progress than other teams but peaked on Sunday at exactly the right time. Mark, Martin and I all set out best times of the test on the final day and that is exactly what you want. I've already learnt a lot from Mark, who I worked with at Spa with the Audi R8 LMS, and Martin, over the past three days – they are ultra, ultra competitive guys. But also the nice thing is that we're all gleaning little bits from each other and consequently improving the car and our own individual performances."

Mike Shank (USA), Team Owner of Michael Shank Racing:
"I am very pleased with the progress of car #23 at the test. It has been a very good team effort. All four drivers worked with engineer Dale Wise with the assistance of Richard [Dean]. After three days they all got hooked up pretty good and everyone has integrated very well and very quickly."

Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
"It's been a very good test. We made progress each day, possibly more than any other DP car. Mark {Blundell] and Martin still know how to drive a race car, both turned in class performances and set times very close to each other on Sunday morning. They were totally focused. Mark [Patterson] continues to surprise me with the impressive times he turns in while Zak, who unfortunately missed today [Sunday] due to a previously organized business meeting, drove very, very well considering his lack of DP experience. I'm very excited about our race prospects."

* Lots of photographs from the test are available on www.flickr.com/unitedautosports

* Follow regular updates from United Autosports at www.facebook.com/pages/United-Autosports/10150125792055534 or
Twitter: @unitedautosport

United Autosports To Début In Rolex 24 Hours Of Daytona

·       1988 Daytona winner Martin Brundle tempted back into competition with former Le Mans 24 Hour race winner Mark Blundell

·       United Autosports’ Chairman & Co-Owner Zak Brown plus fellow American Mark Patterson completes “stellar” line-up

·       United Autosports teams up with Michael Shank Racing for Rolex 24

United Autosports gets its second year of racing underway in truly spectacular style by contesting the legendary Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with a stellar driver line-up next month (January 29-30).

1988 Daytona 24 Hour race winner Martin Brundle (England) has been drawn back to the ultra-demanding Floridian race along with fellow former 24 Hours of Le Mans race winner and Grand Prix Formula One ace Mark Blundell (England) who makes his Daytona début.

Zak Brown, Chairman & Co-Owner of United Autosports, and fellow American Mark Patterson, complete the United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing entry which bids for success with a Ford-Riley Daytona Prototype in the 49^th running of the world famous Daytona race.

All four drivers will attend the “Roar Before the Rolex 24”, the official three-day test at Daytona next month (January 7-9), to acclimatize themselves to the challenging 3.56-mile, 12-turn combined speedway road course.

United Autosports only turned its first race in April this year, competing in 17 races in Belgium (twice), China, Czech Republic, England (twice), France, Macau, Portugal and Spain. The Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona therefore marks the first race on “home” soil for the American-owned team.

Brundle has become a highly regarded and multi-award winning Formula One commentator on British television since retiring from a Formula One career spanning 13 years (1984-96) and 158 Grand Prix starts resulting in 10 podiums.

Martin contested the Le Mans 24 Hours four times (1997-99/01) after his F1 career having won at Le Mans in 1990. Indeed Brundle has made 67 sportscar race starts, including World Sports-Prototype/World Endurance Championships and IMSA events, claiming 34 podiums (including 18 wins) and 11 pole positions.

He has driven Jaguar, BMW Sauber, Red Bull and Williams F1 cars in recent years for media events. In 2005, Martin competed in the Andros Ice Trophy (Renault Megane) and in 2008 drove in the Formula Palmer Audi Championship alongside his son, Alex, who was a series regular. He scored three top-eight finishes from the three races in which he took part.

Martin raced in two rounds of the Scirocco R-Cup finishing third (Hockenheim) and seventh (Brands Hatch) this year plus three Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo races co-driving with Alex resulting in two top four finishes.

1992 Le Mans 24 Hour race winner Blundell raced in Formula One (1991/1993-95) comprising 61 GP starts and three podiums before switching to the CART World Series (1996-2000) which featured 81 starts and three wins (Portland, Toronto, & Fontana).

Daytona “rookie” Mark, who continues to run 2MB Sports Management which includes handling Indycar driver Mike Conway, also became a Formula One television analysist (2001-08) and raced in major sports car races at Le Mans and Sebring following his single-seater career. Blundell finished third in class in the 24 Hours of Spa this year co-driven by United Autosports Co-Owners Brown and Richard Dean (England) plus Eddie Cheever (USA) – Mark’s first race since finishing second in the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Ultra-successful businessman and entrepreneur Brown has concentrated on GT racing in recent years after starting off in karting before spells in Formulae Three and Opel Lotus, Indy Lights plus Toyota Atlantics.

Zak, who recorded a front row start and podium finish in FIA GT3 European Championship races in Portugal this year, fulfills a personal dream by adding a third Continent – his “home” one – to United Autosports’ burgeoning profile by contesting the Rolex 24 assisted by regular Grand Am entrant Michael Shank Racing.

Patterson is by far the most experienced of the quartet in terms of Grand Am racing, boasting 66 starts (GT & DP) comprising six podiums. Mark races in the twice-around-the-clock Daytona race for the eighth time and is looking to go one better after finishing second in 2006 – one of four top-nine finishes Mark has achieved – all with Michael Shank Racing.

  

Like Brown, Patterson has raced a United Autosports Audi R8 LMS in the FIA GT3 European Championship this year, placing joint second in the Audi Manufacturer’s Cup, and claiming fourth in class in the Spa 24 Hours.

The #23 United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley entry topped the unofficial time sheets in a two-day open test at Homestead-Miami Speedway recently (Dec 1-2).

Mark Blundell (GB). Age: 44. Born: Barnet, England. Lives: Royston, England.

Daytona History: None. Daytona 24Hr: Début. Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1989, 1990, 1992/1^st, 1995/4^th, 2001, 2002, 2003/2^nd); Spa, Belgium (2010/3^rd in class).

“The Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona is one of the most recognized races in the world and it will be my first attempt at this great event – I’ve never been to Daytona even as a spectator. I’d not driven a DP until last week at Homestead but it’s essentially similar to a Le Mans sports-prototype with much less downforce.

“The team and car has huge potential. This aligned with the fact that I will be co-driving with my very close friend, Martin Brundle, to finally fulfill a dream that the pair of us have had to drive the same car as part of the same team, is fantastic. The icing on the cake is that I will also be sharing driving duties with my good friends Mark [Patterson] and of course Zak [Brown].

“My last race in the US was the Sebring 12 Hours in 2003. Before I raced in the CART World Series [1996-2000], oval courses were alien to me coming from Europe although I enjoyed racing on them and won the Marlboro 500 at Fontana. I’ve not raced on a banked/infield combination like I’ll face at Daytona but I’m looking forward to that challenge. I raced with United Autosports in the 24 Hours of Spa last summer and Daytona is another of those very big races that, for whatever reason, I didn’t get a chance to do previously but am very excited to be doing so now.”

Zak Brown (USA). Age: 38. Born: Los Angeles, California, USA. Lives: Carmel, Indiana, USA.

Daytona History: Four 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1997. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 4. 1997/8^th o/a, 2^nd GTS, 1999, 2000 (GT), 2010 33^rd/20^th (GT). Other 24Hr races: BritCar, Silverstone, GB (2^nd o/a, 1^st in class); Spa, Belgium (2010/3^rd in class).

“As chairman and co-owner of United Autosports, to have my team name on the entry list at the Daytona International Speedway for the legendary 24 Hour race is awesome. Twelve months ago our team didn’t exist. We made our race début at the end of April in Britain and in our first season we raced throughout Europe at legendary tracks like Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps and last month in Asia at Zhuhai [China] and Macau as Audi’s official “customer” team in the GT3 sportscar category.

“So now to be racing in my native USA, at the world famous Speedway venue, in North America’s only twice around the clock motor race, makes me extremely proud in what we’ve accomplished in a very short space of time. It’s the first time Richard [Dean] and I have partnered with Michael Shank Racing. His team is first class and he’ll give us everything we need. Richard [Dean] will be ever present on the pit wall with the Michael Shank Racing boys to learn about Grand Am racing while our driver line-up is about as special as it can get.

“My first race at Daytona was in 1997 but I spend a lot of time there nowadays. I have an office in Daytona Beach and my company, Just Marketing International [JMI], has brought in sponsorship from UPS, Crown Royal and DirecTV to Daytona International Speedway. The 24 Hours will be my first ever race in a Daytona Prototype. I tested a Coyote DP earlier this year which was organized by Eddie Cheever, who drove for my team at Spa, and tested a Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley at Homestead last week (Dec 1) with Mark. I can’t wait for the official test days and then the race week in January!”

Martin Brundle (GB). Age: 51. Born: King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England. Lives: Gayton, Norfolk, England.

Daytona History: Two 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 1988. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 2. 1988: 1^st (Jaguar XJR-9); 1990: 2^nd (Jaguar XJR-12); Last raced at Daytona 1990. Other 24Hr races: Le Mans, France (1987, 1988, 1990/1^st, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001; Spa, Belgium (1983, 1984); Willhire, Snetterton, GB (1980/1^st in class).    

“I’ve raced at the Daytona International Speedway on just two occasions and have been fortunate to win [1988] and finish second [1990] in the 24 Hours. From what I remember about those two races, they were physically the hardest ones of my career. I’m very much looking forward to returning to the Speedway and will no doubt see many old friends to exchange tall stories with.

“Mark [Blundell] and I were team-mates in Formula One at Brabham [1991] and Ligier [1993] but we’ve never actually shared a racecar together. We’ve been close friends since the first time we met on the pit wall at Montreal in 1990 while I’ve known Zak [Brown] through the business of F1 for a number of years and greatly admire his determination and sheer energy. So when the opportunity arose to race at Daytona with these guys, it was an easy decision.  

“In recent years I’ve been closely following my son Alex’s motor racing career but I’ve been aching to race again. Now that I’ve cleared my diary of several other obligations, Zak’s invitation to do Daytona was perfectly timed. My last race in North America was an IMSA race when I finished fourth at Del Mar [October, 1991]. Until the official test at Daytona early next month I won’t have driven a Daytona Prototype.”

Mark Patterson (USA). Age: 58. Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives: Bronxville, N.Y., USA. 

Daytona History: Seven 24Hr races. Daytona 24Hr: Début 2004. Number of Daytona 24Hr race appearances: 7. (2004 38^th/13^th SGS, 2005 23^rd/14^th (DP), 2006/2^nd, 2007/9^th, 2008/6^th, 2009 41^st/16^th (DP), 2010/7^th). Other 24Hr races: Spa, Belgium (2009 17^th o/a, 2010/4^th in class).   

“My first time at the Daytona International Speedway was during a Skip Barber race weekend in the Southern Series [Formula Dodge]. I was in absolute awe the first time I drove out onto the track in a rental car. The scale of it and the steeply banked corners literally took my breath away.

“I drove my first 24 Hours of Daytona with some friends in a SGS class Corvette in 2004 with my first run in the 24 Hours driving a Daytona Prototype a year later. This will be my seventh Daytona 24 in a DP. Competition is very tough – on drivers and the cars. The top-10 cars approach this as a ‘sprint’ race nowadays. The international latticework of seriously competent IndyCar, NASCAR, Formula One and just about every serious series of drivers, is one of the great thrills of contesting this race. I remember movie legend Paul Newman amongst the race line-ups and of course in recent years NASCAR’s multi-year champion Jimmy Johnson and the likes of Juan Pablo Montoya.

“Grand Am's two class racing [DP and GT] normally means that after 15mins or so, the different classes are all mixed up, so you're pushing yourself to the maximum on each corner, trying to time GT passes as efficiently as possible. Over a 24 hour duration that’s pretty intense.”

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

“We have a driver line-up that has both speed and experience and that’s very important at Daytona. As long as we can stay out of trouble, accumulating laps and keep the car out of the garage, we should be confident of a good finish. No matter what your pace is like, the main objective is to be out there, putting in the laps day and night so that when it comes down to the last two or three hours of the race, we have a car that can fight for a podium or even better. It’s a fantastic race and I’m delighted to be involved with United Autosports’ first outing at Daytona and am looking forward to working with Zak [Brown], who I have known and admired for a long time, and Richard [Dean].”

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

“Michael Shank Racing’s excellent team is providing the experience and expertise to ease United Autosports into the Grand Am arena and the Daytona 24 Hours in particular giving me an opportunity to closely monitor the event from another perspective. Having contested the 1997 and 2010 24 Hour races, this time around I’ll see how the event works from the team organization side and from the pit gantry. I will be on hand to help where possible but it will be mainly as the driver assist and provide United Autosports a presence in the pit lane.

“I remember going to watch the 24 hours back in the 1980s with my father [Tony] who also lived in Southern Florida. I have photographs of me proudly shaking hands with Brian Redman, David Hobbs and other greats at this world famous event. Dad raced there in the 1970s and always had great stories of the race – it has such history and is one of those ‘must do’ events!

“Looking back at United Autosports’ first year, the races, our drivers, the Continents we’ve been to and the historic and prestigious events we have contested, it is quite amazing. And so to start off 2011 with us on the grid for the Daytona 24 Hours and with the great driver line-up we’ve assembled, makes me very, very proud.”

Ford-Riley

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 2010 and contested the FIA GT3 European Championship with a brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars. Also competed in the 24 Hours of Spa (3^rd & 4^th in GT3 class on team’s 24 race début), Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Zhuhai, China (3^rd in GTC) and Macau (3^rd GT Cup). Competes in the 2011 FIA GT3 European and 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 Blundell, Brown, Brundle and Patterson biographies plus team profiles on United Autosports and Michael Shank Racing are available on request.

* Interviews can be arranged on request, either in advance or at the “Roar Before the Rolex 24” itself (January 7-9).

* The Editorial Copyright free photographs included in this email are the only ones currently available. A comprehensive photo library will be available after the Daytona test (January 7-9) on www.flickr.com/unitedautosports.