A THIRD Audi R8 GT3 LMS has committed to the 2012 Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour, with United Autosports announcing their intention to contest the race last night, Australian time.
United Autosports was formed in 2009 by veteran racing drivers and Motorsport entrepreneurs American Zak Brown and Briton Richard Dean.
The team maintains a unique Anglo-American presence by conducting racing operations from bases in both the United States (Indianapolis) and the United Kingdom (Leeds).
Beyond United Autosports, Brown is the founder and CEO of JMI, the leading global motorsports marketing agency, which offers United Autosports and its clients’ global strategy and activation services.
Brown is also a co-founder and partner in Legends of Motorsports, a North American based historic car racing series in which United Autosports participates.
United Autosports competes in a variety of international Sportscar and GT-based series, including the British GT Championship, FIA GT3 European Championship, the Spa 24 Hours and the Intercontinental LeMans Cup.
This year they were one of the star performers in the Rolex 24 Hour race at Daytona, finishing fourth with ex-F1 drivers Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell amongst the driving squad in a Grand AM sports prototype.
The team will enter the three major early-season Endurance races next year, starting at the Dubai 24hour before tackling the Gulf 12 Hour in Abu Dhabi and finally the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour on February 24-26.
The team announced they would bring a ‘top driver line-up’ to each race to drive their successful Audi R8.
“We couldn’t find a better way of moving into our third year as a racing team, than by competing in such classics such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bathurst;” United Autosports Co-owner and CEO Zak Brown said.
“(They are) Three exciting endurance events which are considered a ‘must do’ for any aspiring racer. It’s also a fitting way to continue our relationship with Audi into 2012.”
“United Autosports is a 52-week a year business and the goal is to have the top GT racing team in the world,” United Autosports co-owner and Managing Director, Richard Dean, said.
“In only two years United Autosports has built a reputation in which top drivers want to race with us, and now we’re offering them the opportunity to compete with our highly motivated team, which is competing worldwide.
“We want to have a dominant presence at every circuit we go to and these three exciting classic events are next on our calendar.”
Event director James O’Brien said the early announcement by United Autosports was a vote of confidence in the growth of the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour.
“United Autosports are a highly successful and professional team and to have their support this early for our race is exceptional. We are looking forward to welcoming them to Bathurst with open arms and look forward to getting their thoughts on the Mountain after tackling circuits like Daytona and Spa Francorchamps this year.”