AutoSports Announces 2012

BIG NEWS FOLKS! You know we’ve been keeping you apprised of the moves and results of one of our favorite sports car teams, United Autosports. The Anglo-American team is a terrific combination of British and American ingenuity and know-how and we’ve followed their every move.
Most of you know I am an Audi fan and loved reporting on team owners Zak Brown and Richard Dean’s racing R8’s but there is going to be a new car in the garage for 2012—the McLaren MP4-12C! yes, the new McLaren is in race trim and ready for action and we couldn’t be more excited for the team.
McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh is excited about the new opportunity to prove Ron Dennis’s baby on the track:
Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO said:
“I am delighted United Autosports will be racing the MP4-12C GT3 in 2012. I know the team is looking forward to receiving a GT car full of Formula 1 technology, and we are committed to ensuring ownership of the 12C GT3 is as enjoyable as racing it.”
The 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series will see United Autosports contest the headlining GT3 class with its new McLarens contending for both class and overall wins in a season due to feature five races, four over three hours in duration, and the fifth the world famous and increasingly important 24 Hours of Spa.
United Autosports McLarens look set to be matched against a number of high profile entries including teams fielding Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW and AMG Mercedes GT3 cars.
Zak Brown (USA). Chairman & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to join the Blancpain Series next year with McLaren. I have done a lot of business with them over the years in Formula One and admire their success, so consider them great partners.
“The new car looks awesome and is very quick. I can’t wait to see two McLarens in United colours next year.”
Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports:
“The combination of a new racing challenge in the Blancpain series and a pair of very exciting new cars is a mouth-watering prospect. Combined with our driver line-up, it should give us everything we need to make the next big step forward, to compete for regular major results.
“We want to continue to build both the capabilities and the results for United Autosports and this link with McLaren is a perfect fit for a British based team with a high quality and very high profile British marque.
“The McLaren GT team have a high benchmark in terms of the support and customer service we have enjoyed over the past two seasons from Audi. That we have made the decision to run the McLarens in 2012 though should be seen both as a vote of confidence in the package and a statement of intent for the future.”
Keep your eye out for the new McLaren MP$-12C and United Autosports in the GT3 series in 2012–oh, and just as a reminder, they tend to have some of the best names in racing driving their cars too.

2011 Auto sports

Autosport International is always a great way to kick off the new racing season. Last week’s show was no exception and helped me to get back in the swing of things.
I’ve been part of the show since I was a young karter, not just as a driver but also supporting my Dad, Martin Hines, who has always exhibited with either ZipKart or Grand Prix Racewear.
  The first big event after the winter break, there’s always a lot of gossip and rumours circulating. With the change in sportscar regulations this year, there are a lot of teams still talking to drivers and getting their plans in place.
You’ve got to be seen to be at the show. I was at the NEC for all four days, working from the Grand Prix Racewear stand, conducting various interviews on show stages and talking about my plans for 2011.
This season is still a bit up in the air but I’ve got quite a lot of interest across a few categories. Obviously it’s important to make sure we are looking in the right direction and at the right deal. We’re mainly looking at the big categories of FIA GT1, the American Le Mans Series, the Le Mans Series and also BTCC.
To have so many options on the table is quite rare. It’s a nice situation to have so many parties interested in me being in the car but we’ll have to see how things work out. It won’t be long before we need to make that crucial decision.
The few weeks following the show are always the prime time for deals to be signed. It’s all down to negotiation now. I have a couple of tests lined up and we’ll see how I get on and decide from there.