United Autosports

United States United Autosports
Founded 2009 [1]
Base Garforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 2DY United Kingdom
Team principal(s) Zak Brown, Richard Dean
Current series Henderson Insurance LMP3 Cup Championship, 2017 Michelin Le Mans Cup, European Le Mans Series, Le Mans 24 Hours
Former series GT Cup, British GT, British Touring Car Championship
Current drivers Switzerland Hugo de Sadeleer
Portugal Filipe Albuquerque
United Kingdom Will Owen

United Kingdom Matt Bell
United States Jim McGuire
United Kingdom Tony Wells

United Kingdom Wayne Boyd
South Africa Mark Patterson
United Kingdom Christian England

United States Andrew Evans
United States C. J. Wilson

United States John Falb
United States Sean Rayhall

United Kingdom Shaun Lynn
United Kingdom Richard Meins

Website unitedautosports.com

United Autosports is a championship-winning[2][3] sportscar race team, founded by American businessman and entrepreneur, Zak Brown[4] and former British racing driver, Richard Dean.[5]

The United Autosports Ligier JSP217 co-driven by William Owen, Hugo de Sadeleer and Filipe Albuquerque. The car went on to finish the race in fifth place overall, fourth in LMP2.

The team is currently racing in the European Le Mans Series in both the LMP3 and LMP2 classes with a pair of Ligier JS P3 sports prototypes[6] and a Ligier JS P217. The team is also racing in the Henderson Insurance LMP3 Cup Championship with two Ligier JS P3s.[7] This year United Autosports also made the team's début in the Le Mans 24 Hours, finishing fifth overall and fourth in class.[8]

United Autosports also prepares and races a range of historic race cars in events across the world, such as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion [9] and the Le Mans [10] and Silverstone [11] Classics.

Since the team's foundation in 2009, United Autosports has competed in high profile races across the world, including the Spa 24 Hours,[12] the Bathurst 12 Hour,[13] the Gulf 12 Hours[14] and the Dubai 24 Hour,[15] along with entering championships such as the British Touring Car Championship,[16][17] GT Cup,[18] European Supercar Challenge,[19] Ginetta GT4 Supercup,[20] FIA GT3 European Championship[21] and Blancpain Endurance Series[22] but are probably best known for racing in the British GT Championship.[23][24] The team has also raced in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona,[25] Intercontinental Le Mans Cup,[26] Macau GT Cup[27] and Petit Le Mans.[28]

In 2016, the team was named as UK agent for French Manufacturer Onroak Automotive, creating Ligier UK.[29]

United Autosports has frequently signed accomplished guest drivers to compete in the team's racecars at key events, including Martin Brundle, Mark Blundell, Eddie Cheever, Stefan Johansson, Johnny Herbert, Markus Winkelhock, David Brabham and Arie Luyendyk. The squad's driver line-ups have also featured some of the top up-and-coming professional racing drivers, such as Brendon Hartley, Alex Lynn, Danny Watts and Alex Brundle.

History

2010

The team’s best results in 2010 were podium finishes in the 2010 FIA GT3 European Championship,[30][31] 24 Hours of Spa,[32][33] 2010 1000 km of Zhuhai[34][35] and the Macau Grand Prix.[36][37]

2011

The team partnered with Michael Shank Racing for the 2011 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing fourth in the Daytona prototype class.[38] The Ford Riley Daytona Prototype was driven by Martin Brundle, Mark Blundell, Mark Patterson and Zak Brown.

United Autosports competed in the 2011 British GT Championship with Matt Bell, John Bintcliffe, Jay Palmer and Mike Guasch.[39]

They also contested the FIA GT3 European Championship with Matt Bell, Zak Brown, Joe Osborne and Mark Patterson.[40] That year they also entered 2011 Petit Le Mans, with drivers Mark Patterson, Stefan Johansson and Zak Brown.[41]

2012

In January the team made its début in the Dubai 24 Hours (2012 Results) with two Audi R8 LMS cars.[42] The team also became one of the first customers for the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 and raced two examples in the Blancpain Endurance Series for drivers Zak Brown, Mark Blundell, Mark Patterson, Álvaro Parente, Matt Bell and David Brabham. Although still racing the Audi R8 LMS in the 2012 British GT Championship, they switched to McLarens for the final few rounds of the UK national series. United Autosports gave the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 the model's first win at Snetterton in the British GT Championship with Matt Bell and Charles Bateman behind the wheel.[43] Further British GT Championship wins came for Bell and Bateman at Silverstone and also at Donington Park for Zak Brown and Álvaro Parente.[44]

2013

In 2013, United Autosports once again entered the British GT Championship with two McLarenultra MP4-12C GT3 cars and their one remaining Audi R8 LMS ultra.[45] Matt Bell and Mark Patterson came second in the championship after scoring three podiums and a win at the final round at Donington Park.[46] They missed out on the title in their Audi by only half a point. However, this was the season when the team won its first championship title, with Jim and Glynn Geddie in their McLaren MP4-12C GT3 as they stormed to victory in the European Supercar Challenge.[47]

2014

The United Autosports Audi R8 LMS ultra contested in the British GT Championship 2014 by Matt Bell and Mark Patterson.

The new season saw United Autosports branching out into new territory, and contesting the British Touring Car Championship with a pair of Toyota Avensis Touring Cars and drivers James Cole and Glynn Geddie.[48] The team also entered the 2014 Ginetta GT4 Supercup support race with Luke Davenport and Carl Breeze,[49][50] winning the Team title at the end of the year.[51]

United Autosports contested the GT Cup Championship in 2014[52] and won the overall and GTO Championship with Jim Geddie in his McLaren MP4-12C GT3.[53] They also continued with their Audi R8 LMS ultra in the British GT Championship.[54]

2015

The team returned to the GT Cup Championship in 2015 with the Audi R8 LMS ultra and driver Phil Burgan.[55] They also put plans in place to move into prototype racing with two LMP3 cars in the European Le Mans Series.[56]

2016

United Autosports made the team's début in the European Le Mans Series at Silverstone in April with a pair of Ligier JS P3 sports cars and drivers Alex Brundle, Mike Guasch,[57] Christian England, Mark Patterson, Wayne Boyd[58] and Matt Bell. The team won the first three races and scored eight podiums throughout the year, winning both the team and driver championships with one round remaining.[59] The team also entered the inaugural Road to Le Mans race – one of the support races to the Le Mans 24 Hours – with former F1 driver Martin Brundle pairing up with Christian England.[60] Brundle took pole position.[61] American duo Guy Cosmo and Mike Hedlund were behind the wheel of the second Ligier,[62] with Guy Cosmo scoring the fastest lap of the race and setting the LMP3 lap record round the Circuit de la Sarthe.

2017

United Autosports made the team's first appearance in LMP2 by entering a Ligier JS P217 in the 2017 European Le Mans Series.[63] They also returned with their two Ligier JS P3 sports prototypes to defend their 2016 championship titles.[64] Filipe Albuquerque, Will Owen and Hugo de Sadeleer not only took the LMP2 win for United Autosports at that opening race, but John Falb and Sean Rayhall lead the LMP3 class from start to finish to secure a double victory for the team.[65] In June, the team made its Le Mans 24 Hours debut with their Ligier JS P217, finishing fifth overall and fourth in the LMP2 class.[66]

In support of its Ligier UK business,[67] United Autosports also helped launch and raced in the Henderson Insurance LMP3 Cup Championship.[68] American drivers C. J. Wilson and Andrew Evans, along with Tony Wells and United regular, Matt Bell raced the team's Ligier JS P3 sports prototypes.

Historic racing

Aside from their modern-day racing activities, United Autosports is also involved in historic racing and preparation of historic racing cars. Their collection of cars spans many decades and race series, including the 1980 Alan Jones championship-winning Williams FW07 and a 1970 Jackie Stewart March 701. They also maintain and race sports cars such as the 1986 Porsche 962 and the JLP-3 Porsche 935. The team enters many prestigious historic events around the world, including the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion[69], the Le Mans Classic [70] and the annual Silverstone Classic weekend [71], among others.

References

  1. ↑ "Brown Announces International Race Team". Spire Capital. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  2. ↑ Motorsport.com (27 October 2014). "United Autosports wins 2014 GT Cup Championship at Oulton Park". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  3. ↑ European Le Mans Series (20 October 2016). "United Autosports LMP3 Champions". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  4. ↑ John Dagys (29 July 2010). "SPA24: The Rise And Return Of Zak Brown". Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  5. ↑ European Le Mans Series (1 July 2016). "Interview with United Autosports Team Principal Richard Dean". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  6. ↑ Robert Ladbrook (15 May 2015). "British sportscar team United Autosports launches LMP3 programme". Autosport magazine. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  7. ↑ Charlotte Lumley (19 April 2017). "United Autosports ready for opening Henderson Insurance LMP3 Cup". AutoMobilSport. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  8. ↑ ACO (18 June 2017). "ACO Official Results" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  9. ↑ Stephen Kilbey (12 August 2016). "United Autosports To Race Three Historic Sportscars At Laguna". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  10. ↑ Endurance Info (11 July 2016). "Zak Brown sweeps Porsche 962 to class victory at Le Mans Classic". endurance-info.com. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "British GP Winners Join F1 Legends On-Track at Silverstone Classic". Silverstone Classic. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "Will Bratt joins United Autosports for Spa 24 Hours". Autosport Magazine. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  13. ↑ "Brendon Hartley Joins United Autosports For Bathurst 12 Hours". Dailysportscar. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  14. ↑ "Gulf 12 Hours: Lynn, Johansson in United Autosports LMP3". Racer Magazine. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  15. ↑ "United Autosports Name Driving Squad For Dubai 24 Entry". The Checkered Flag. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  16. ↑ "TouringCars.Net >> United Autosport confirm BTCC plans". touringcars.net. TouringCars.Net. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  17. ↑ The Mirror (2 April 2014). "Behind the scenes at United Autosports". MJP Media. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  18. ↑ "United Autosports and Phil Burgan in GT Cup return". GT Cup Championship. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  19. ↑ "United Autosports win European Supercar Challenge Championship 2013". AutoMobilSport. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  20. ↑ "United Autosports Set For 2014 Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup". Ginetta Cars. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  21. ↑ "Henri Richard joins United Autosports for the 2010 FIA GT3 European Championship Season/". Quattro World. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  22. ↑ "Brabham Adds United Autosports Blancpain Endurance Series Bid To World Class 2012 Programme". AutoMobilSport. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  23. ↑ "Breeze & Davenport Test United Autosports Audi GT3". Dailysportscar. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  24. ↑ "Team News: Bell brothers victorious on British GT race debut". britishgt.com. British GT Championship. 15 August 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  25. ↑ "United Autosports Confirms 2018 Rolex 24 At Daytona Entry". Dailysportscar. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  26. ↑ "ILMC: Zhuhai United Autosports". Motorsport.com. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  27. ↑ "United Autosports to contest Macau GT Cup for fourth straight year". Motorsport.com. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  28. ↑ "United Autosports with a Pescarolo at Petit Le Mans". Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  29. ↑ "United Autosports announced as Onroak Automotive UK Agents". The Checkered Flag. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  30. ↑ "Results: 2010 Round 5 - Algarve". FIA GT3 European Championship. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  31. ↑ "United Autosports Claims FIA GT3 European Championship Podium Finish". Audi Sport UK. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  32. ↑ "United Autosports Claims Magnificent Top-Three Finish on 24 Hour Race Debut". Newspress. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  33. ↑ "United Autosports Claim Magnificent Top-Three Finish On 24 Hour Race Début". planetlemans.com. Planet Le Mans. 1 August 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  34. ↑ James Broomhead (9 November 2010). "Late Problem Denies United Autosports Zhuhai Victory". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  35. ↑ "United Autosports Claim Magnificent Top-Three Finish On 24 Hour Race Début". flagworld.com. FlagWorld. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  36. ↑ "United Autosports Achieves Top Result In Final Race Of Début Season". Audi Sport UK. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  37. ↑ "United Autosports achieves top result in final race of début season". planetlemans.com. Planet Le Mans. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  38. ↑ "Brundle and Blundell finish fourth at Daytona". ESPN F1. 30 January 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  39. ↑ "United Autosports Completes 2011 British GT Championship Squad". Audi Sport UK. 14 October 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  40. ↑ "British Youngster Joins United Autosports' 2011 FIA GT3 Euro Campaign". 6 December 2010.
  41. ↑ "United Autosports Set For LMP2 Foray At Petit Le Mans". Audi Sport UK. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  42. ↑ James Broomhead (7 December 2011). "United Autosports Name Driving Squad For Dubai 24 Entry". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  43. ↑ "The Gods Smile On United Autosports At Last". Dailysportscar. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  44. ↑ "United Autosports win the Donington decider". British GT Championship. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  45. ↑ "Mark Blundell Joins United Autosports". SpeedSport. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  46. ↑ Chris Hall (6 October 2013). "Patterson and Bell Take Donington Win". Racing GT. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  47. ↑ Graham Goodwin (28 October 2013). "United Autosports McLaren Takes Supercar Challenge Championship". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  48. ↑ Neil Hudson (2 December 2013). "United Autosports confirm two car programme for 2014". Touring Car Times. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  49. ↑ "United Autosports to enter 2014 Ginetta GT4 Superecup". Sportscar Racing News. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  50. ↑ "Carl Breeze joins United Autosports for 2014 Ginetta GT4 Superecup". Sportscar Racing News. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  51. ↑ Simon Paice (17 November 2014). "2014 Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup Season Review". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  52. ↑ Mark Howson (22 March 2014). "Jim Geddie Returns To GT Cup". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  53. ↑ "United Autosports wins 2014 GT Cup Championship at Oulton Park". Motorsport.com. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  54. ↑ Mark Howson (6 November 2013). "Patterson & Bell Reunite For British GT In 2014". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  55. ↑ "Third-place GT Cup Championship finish for United Autosports and Phil Burgan". Sportscar Racing News. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  56. ↑ Graham Goodwin (13 May 2015). "United Autosports Move To LMP3 In 2016 As First Step To Le Mans". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  57. ↑ Graham Goodwin (6 January 2016). "Guasch Joins Brundle In United Autosports LMP3 Ligier". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  58. ↑ Graham Goodwin (4 March 2016). "United Autosports Buoyed by Boyd Signing". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  59. ↑ Matt Fernandez (22 October 2016). "Estoril: LMP3 Qualifying, Brundle Scores First Pole For Championship Winning #2 United Ligier". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  60. ↑ Andy Lloyd (4 May 2016). "Martin Brundle Joins United Autosports For Road To Le Mans". Endurance & GT. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  61. ↑ John Dagys (16 June 2016). "Brundle Claims Pole Position for Road to Le Mans". Sportscar 365. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  62. ↑ "Hedlun and Cosmo to take the Road To Le Mans with United Autosports". European Le Mans Series. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  63. ↑ Stephen Kilbey (12 January 2017). "United Signs Owen & De Sadeleer For ELMS & Le Mans LMP2 Effort". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  64. ↑ Graham Goodwin (5 January 2017). "United Autosports Confirm England, Boyd & Patterson For 2017 ELMS". Dailysportscar.net. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  65. ↑ Martin Little (15 April 2017). "United Snatches Win In 4H Silverstone Thriller". Dailsysportscar.net. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  66. ↑ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2017, Official Results" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  67. ↑ "Ligier UK". Ligier UK. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  68. ↑ "Henderson Insurance LMP3 Cup Championship". British LMP3 Cup. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  69. ↑ Stephen Kilbey (12 August 2016). "United Autosports To Race Three Historic Sportscars At Laguna". Dailysportscar.net. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  70. ↑ "United Autosports enters ultra-successful Porsche for team’s maiden Le Mans classic outing". Motorsport.com. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  71. ↑ Adam Arbon (26 July 2016). "United Autosports to parade British Grand Prix winning car at Silverstone Classic". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
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