United Autosports has successfully completed the first test of its 2010-specification Audi R8 LMS sportscars.
American Zak Brown (Carmel, IN), the Chairman and Co-Owner of United Autosports, and Argentinean Pablo Pérez Companc drove their Remington sponsored #23 Audi with Michael Guasch (Walnut Creek, CA) the sole driver of the ’sister’ #22 Molecule R8 LMS. Guasch’s fellow American co-driver, Mark Patterson, was unable to attend due to work commitments.
Despite inclement weather on the opening day of the two-day test at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve circuit near Portimão in Portugal (8-9 Mar), the American owned and British-based team clocked up a trouble-free 1,200km.
Richard Dean, Managing Director and Co-Owner of United Autosports, commented: ‘We knew the Audi R8 LMS would be good but it’s truly fantastic! We encountered no problems whatsoever.
‘The build quality is stunning. Audi Sport personnel were in attendance for our maiden runs while our drivers and engineers were highly delighted with the R8 LMS and the 2010-spec Michelin tyres.’
Patterson will get his first run in the latest evolution version of the 525-hp Audi R8 LMS which claimed three championship titles and 23 race wins in its 2009 début season at Silverstone (23-24 Mar) when he will be joined by all three team-mates.
The newly-formed team’s focus in 2010 is on successfully defending the FIA GT3 European Championship title for the German manufacturer which begins at Silverstone (GB) in May.
The 2010-spec Audi R8 LMS features detailed improvements to the chassis and suspension. The capacity of the engine’s cooling system has been improved to cope with extreme ambient temperatures. Meanwhile the electronics and exhaust system have been further optimized.
Yorkshire-based United Autosports will make its race début in the opening round of the British GT Championship at Oulton Park (5 Apr) a month before the FIA ‘opener’ at Silverstone.
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