Thursday, June 21, 2012

British GT Preview: United Autosports ready for Brands Hatch with new 2012 Ultra Audi R8 LMS GT3


United Autosports Press Release

United Autosports: prepared for the future ahead of Brands Hatch

  • Team take delivery of new 2012 Ultra R8 LMS GT3
  • Preparation key to future
  • Investment reinforces commitment to British GT Championship

After an unrepresentative start to the season United Autosports have announced that they have invested in the latest 2012 Ultra Audi R8, to help make the step forward that is needed to start challenging the teams in front.

In preparation of the next round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent this weekend (23/24 June) the team have confirmed that they will run the new Ultra 2012 version, which will give them more aerodynamic support. They will continue to run the same engine.

The investment is part of the teams ambitious plans and commitment to the Championship. “Our investors all expect the very highest of professional standards from us, and this is an investment we feel is crucial said: Team Owner and Managing Director Richard Dean.”

Brands Hatch in Kent, is the setting for the fourth event in the 2012 British GT Championship with a two-hour race on Sunday (24 June).

With two, one-hour free practice sessions and qualifying on the 2,613 mile Grand Prix circuit on Saturday the pressure will be on Matt and Charles to be in a position to challenge for their first win of the year, in a day that could prove pivotal in the contest for the championship.

Matt Bell (UK), Age 22. Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Lives Barningham, UK

“We have had a tough start to the year having been on the wrong side of some balance of performance decisions and suffering some bad luck at Oulton and Rockingham. At the midpoint of the season I was expecting to be challenging for the championship, which sadly is not the case. The team has done an excellent job with what they've had so far. We arrive at Brands Hatch with some 2012 machinery so we are all looking forward to showing our true potential. It will be a tough weekend with a brand-new car, but United Autosports is full of very competent people, and I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Ultra, so I'm very optimistic heading into the weekend”.

Charles Bateman (UK), Age 24. Born: Boston, Lincs UK. Lives: Boston, Lincs, UK

“I am very much looking forward to Brands Hatch. We have been frustrated that we have not been able to show our true potential so far this year. We have a new car this weekend, which is really exciting.  It won’t be easy, but we will push as hard as we can to fight for a result to kick start our championship campaign”.

Richard Dean (UK), Team Owner and Managing Director of United Autosports


“The balance of performance regulations have really been unkind to the older specification Audi R8 so far this year. We could not afford to wait for the regulations to inch slowly closer to us in a competitive context so we have taken the decision to invest in a 2012 car. This shows our commitment to the series, the drivers and our sponsors and partners. We expect to be more competitive, while being cautious of the limitations, because of the new car only being ready for us the day before the race weekend”.

Saturday:       09.30/10.30 Free Practice 1

                      13.35/14.35 Free Practice 2

                      17.35/18.05 Qualifying

Sunday:         10.00/10.10 Warm Up

                      14.10/16.10 Two-Hour Race

Brands Hatch:

Length            4.206 km (2,613 m)

Turns  9

Lap record     1.09.953 (Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda FW11, 1986 F1 tm

Photo credit: United Autosports

More information:
United Autosports official website
United Autosports official Facebook
British GT Championship official website

Audi R8 LMS - United Autosports