Bell And Bateman Ready For Oulton Park British GT Challenge With United Autosports

United Autosports Press Release

• Young chargers confident for season opener at Cheshire circuit
• Silver status for young drivers in updated Audi R8 LMS GT3
• Successful pre-season test gives early indication of perfect pairing

Matt Bell (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) and Charles Bateman (Boston, Lincs) head to Oulton Park in Cheshire for the opening round of the 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship over the Easter weekend and both young drivers have their eye on lifting the crown.

Competing with Leeds-based United Autosports in the team’s Pilgrim Food Service-sponsored Audi R8 LMS GT3, both Bell (22) and Bateman (25) are proven British GT race winners, both taking victories in the series last year. Bell annexed a superb victory at Snetterton in partnership with American Mike Guasch, while Bateman took victory in the second race at Oulton Park and also at Donington Park.

Bell led the series for much of the season amidst intense competition and is very confident as he enters his second full year in the series with his new team mate. The youngster is getting plenty of mileage under his belt in 2012 as he dovetails between the British and Blancpain Endurance Series in the United Autosports McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

Bateman, who started in the Caterham Academy in 2004 and spent the next three years competing in the various Caterham derivatives, changed to sportscars from 2007 to 2010, racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup and taking several podiums along the way. Last year, he won the two British GT races in a Ferrari, so this will be his first season in the successful race-winning United Autosports’ Audi R8 LMS GT3.

Both Bell and Bateman will be available at Oulton Park on Saturday and Easter Monday at designated times at the United Autosports garage to meet and greet the fans, and for autograph-signing sessions.

Organiser, SRO Motorsports Group, has a seven-meeting calendar scheduled for 2012 featuring the UK’s best circuits, Oulton Park, Rockingham, Snetterton and the Grand Prix circuits of Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donington Park. Round two in May takes place on the Nürburgring German Grand Prix circuit. SRO is repeating the successful mix of one, two and three-hour races for the 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

United Autosports is co-owned by American, Zak Brown and Briton, Richard Dean, and enters its third season of GT racing as it aims for its first major sportscar title.

United Autosports young chargers: Charles Bateman (left) and Matt Bell

Charles Bateman (UK), Age 25. Born: Boston, Lincs UK. Lives: Boston, Lincs, UK:

“We tested at Oulton Park last Friday and it went well. I feel very settled with the team and I'm looking forward to working with all the guys at United Autosports over the coming season. I think Matt and I will work well together in getting the best out of the car. My first impressions of the Audi are extremely promising. Having had only a short amount of time behind the wheel I already have confidence in what I believe the car can do. I'm really looking forward to the Easter weekend at Oulton Park and seeing how the Audi performs over the race distance.”

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

“The test day last week at Oulton Park was very busy, and was more a day for Charles to acclimatise to the Audi, and me to re-acclimatise to it. I was impressed with the rapid progress Charles made as he got used to a new car, and it really filled me full of confidence for the year. We had some goals that we set out to achieve last week and I think we achieved them quite well, and Charles and I worked very well together.

“We have been given Silver status for the championship, which means we’re going to be given a penalty of 4 seconds per hour added onto our time in the race, so if it’s a 2-hour race, we’ll be penalised an extra 8 seconds. However any safety car intervention could prove a disadvantage and negate any advantage we may have. Oulton Park is one of my favourite circuits full stop, and Charles won from last place on the grid last year in a Ferrari, so I’m really looking forward to the Easter weekend.”

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

“Our British GT deal came together very late this year, which isn't ideal in trying to build an understanding and working relationship with the drivers. Fortunately though, Charles fitted in straight away on our initial test with him at Oulton Park, and he seemed to take very few laps to get an understanding of the Audi. We’ve worked with Matt now for a couple of seasons and the pair seem very similar in personality and what they require with regards set up.

“Everything seems to be lining up for a good year for us. We are organised and have experience as a team in every department, so it is up to us to help the drivers along and create a winning opportunity for them.”

More Informations:

United Autosports official website

United Autosports official Facebook

United Autosports on Twitter

British GT Championship official website

United Autosports back to British GT Championship with Audi

By Tarek Ramchani :

United Autosports the privateer Anglo-American team will be back in the British GT Championship this year. Last year the team fought until the final round for the British crown with their Audi R8 LMS.

For 2012 United Autosports will enter a single Audi R8 LMS. Two youngsters will be in charge to fight for the first ever GT title for the team. Matt Bell and Charles Bateman will share the R8 LMS. Bell was with United Autosports last year and narrowly missed the championship title while leading almost the whole season. Teammate Charles Bateman won two races last year in the British GT championship. For this season the Audi is set to have all the 2012 upgrades in order to fight with the new generation GT3 cars. The team has improved a lot over the last couple of years with the Audi R8 LMS. Strong performances in British GT and also in the endurance events as the Spa 24 Hours in 2011 and the Gulf 12 Hours earlier this year. By adding two very fast young drivers for the winning R8 LMS there is strong potential for a victorious season for United Autosports.

The only Audi R8 LMS in the series will face fierce competition from Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin and many other exotic GT3 machines. The British GT Championship is one of most fought in Europe, combining true sprint races of one hour and endurance events. Avon Tires again will be the exclusive tire supplier for the series.

The British GT Championship this year has a seven round calendar. The season opener is set at Oulton Park, on March 21st. No doubts United Autosports and the Audi R8 LMS will be among the strong teams battling for the championship title.

                                                           Matt Bell                                Charles Bateman

More infos here:

United Autosports official website
United Autosports official Facebook page

British GT Championship official website

United Autosports - Audi R8 LMS

Photo credits : United Autosports 

Audi and Phoenix Racing won Bathurst 12 Hour 2012

By Tarek Ramchani :

Audi wins a thrilling Bathurst 12 hour race for a back to back victory. A very rainy and hard enduro event, with the #1 Audi R8 LMS from Phoenix Racing crossing the finish line victorious. Three Audi R8 LMS cars entered the race at Mount Panorama.

Audi’s victory wasn't at all easy. Right from the start the three R8 LMS cars were in the in the middle of a titanic GT3 battle. Two works supported cars of Phoenix Racing and the fully privateer entry from United Autosports. In the first stages of the race a Ferrari 458 GT3 took the overall lead, but quickly dropped out after facing technical troubles. Then came the rain and shortly afterwards the first of the Audis retired. The #22 United Autosports was unable to continue after a big crash in the rain. Later a great three-way battle for the lead developed between the two Phoenix cars and an SLS AMG. The three cars continued to battle until the #2 R8 LMS "Spider" hit the wall. The car shared by Craig Lowndes Warren Luff and Mark Eddy was forced to retire due to the damage sustained in the impact. In the closing stages, the gap between the leading "Kangaroo" Audi and the chasing AMG was almost 2 minutes. The Mercedes was able to keep the pressure on and reduce that gap. The track being very wet and extremely narrow meant that the #1 Audi was forced to race fast and cautious at the same time. In the final stint, the Mercedes was still pressing, but it was too late. Darryl O'Young crossed the finish line victorious to give Audi a second straight Bathurst 12 Hour win, along with his teammates Christopher Mies and Christer Jöns. O'Young and Mies have already won last year with Audi race experience Team Joest. Christer Jöns was a rookie in the Aussie endurance race this year.

The 2011 Audi victory at the Bathurst 12 Hours was seen as an easy one, maybe this is true but this year was a completely different story. The Phoenix team pushed to the limits to defend Audi's crown at Mount Panorma. A new great overall victory for the R8 LMS, a perfect way to start a new season.

Darryl O'Young, Christopher Mies and Christer Jons the winners

#2 Audi R8 LMS - Phoenix Racing

#21 Audi R8 LMS - United Autosports

Audi Aussie Assault on Mount Panorama's Bathurst 12 Hours

By Tarek Ramchani :

The Armor All Bathurst 12 Hours race is approaching, taking place on February 26th. Running at the world famous Mount Panorama on the very demanding Bathurst circuit and forms parts of this years 24H Series (same as the Dubai 24 Hours). Audi will have three Audi R8 LMSs in this classic Aussie challenge.

Last year Audi achieved a fantastic 1-2 victory first time out with a very close finish, as the two cars battled all race long. The effort was run by Audi race experience Team Joest. Victory for car #8 with Christopher Mies, Marc Basseng and Darryl O'young. While the sister #7 R8 LMS finished in second with local drivers Mark Eddy, Warren Luff and V8 Supercars ace Craig Lowndes. A great double victory, for the R8 LMS debut.

Audi is of course aiming to defend last year’s win. Two factory supported Audi R8 LMS cars will be there. However, no more Team Joest this year for that target instead Phoenix Racing will lead the Audi efforts. The third additional Audi comes from the Anglo-Americans, United Autosports.

Phoenix Racing :

The German team is racing the Baturst 12 Hour enduro for the first time. The Nurburgring based team will field 2 factory supported cars. Both Audi R8 LMSs will have two unique special liveries for this Aussie challenge : a "Spider" white R8 LMS, while the sister car has a "Kangaroo" black livery.

The 2 cars will have very strong driver lineups. The #1 R8 LMS will have Audi regulars Christopher Mies, Darryl O'Young and Christer Jons. Mies and O'Young were both parts of the winning Audi car last year, while Jons will have his first attempt at Mount Panorama. Christopher Mies and Christer Jones raced last year with Audi in the ADAC GT Masters for team ABT Sportsline and some events in the VLN Endurance Series. Darryl O'Young did some races with Audi, but mainly competed in the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

The sister #2 Audi will have a full "Aussie" lineup. Mark Eddy joined by Warren Luff and V8 Supercars legend Craig Lowndes. Mark Eddy is the 2011 Australian GT champion with team Penfold Audi Sport, a regular to the R8 LMS. Craig Lowndes of course is one of the strongest drivers at Mount Panorama, already a 5 times winner of the world famous Bathurst 1000K, the premier racing event in Australia. The same trio finished in a very strong second overall last year, just behind the winning car.

United Autosports :

The Anglo-American team United Autosports will field the third Audi R8 LMS. A truly privateer team, who raced with Audi the in last two seasons, mainly in the FIA GT3 European Championship, the British GT Championship and the Spa 24 Hours. United Autosports have already done 2 endurance events this year, both in the Middle-East. They raced two cars at Dubai 24 Hours with some misfortune and disappointing results. A week later at the Gulf 12 Hours they fought for the overall lead until some 40 minutes to go. Finishing in a very strong third outright.

For the 12 Hours of Bathurst, a single car is entered. The #22 Audi R8 LMS will be in hands of  Mark Patterson, joined by Alain Li and Frank Yu. Theoretically, the United Autosports effort isn't as strong as the one from Phoenix Racing, however the team is aiming to fight for the top spots and battling for a podium finish.

For many, Audi's double victory last year was too easy, maybe that's true with few entries in the top class. However this year, serious competition is ahead. No less than 10 cars are entering the top class A (GT3) targeting the overall victory. Opposition will come from Ferrari, AMG Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini and Mosler. The other competitors are in the lower classes, mixing GTs and more production based Touring Cars, for a total of 31 cars on the entry list. The track is very challenging and quite narrow with its up hills and down hills, so serious traffic is waiting the fastest cars during this great race.

Here a review to the 2011 fantastic 1-2 Audi victory :

For more about the Bathurst 12 Hours race : www.bathurst12hour.com.au

United Autosports's Audi R8 LMS Finishes 3rd at Gulf 12 Hours

By Tarek Ramchani : 

The Anglo-American United Autosports got a brilliant 3rd overall at the first edition of Gulf 12 Hours race at Yas Marina, as the Audi R8 LMS #5 driven by Ryan Dalziel and Venezuelan pair, Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow fought to the finish line for the outright victory, and was even leading with some 20 minutes to go. The race itself was run in 2 seperates heats of 6 hours each, in the end a 3rd spot behind 2 Ferrari 458 GT3 from AF Corse and Kessel Racing, very well done after a disappointing Dubai 24 Hours race. 

Next stop for the team will be the 12 Hours of Bathurst, a challenging eduro event at Mount Panorama, where Phoenix Racing is also set to field 2 factory supported Audi R8 LMSs.

Full photo gallery at SpeedTV.com