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JULY

14

A trip overseas...At the beginning of July, Zak’s Nigel Mansell Williams FW11B was on display at the British Grand Prix, to celebrate the 50th Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The following weekend, the British GT team went to the world famous Spa-Francorchamps for the international round of the championship. Mark Patterson rejoined Matt Bell in the Audi R8 LMS ultra for the weekend, making it into the top five in both practice sessions. In both qualifying sessions we ended up 13th, which was disappointing given our good pace in practice. Both races were fraught, with collisions for both Matt and Mark but, we ended up fifth in race one but a lowly 22nd in race two after Matt was hit from behind at a safety car restart.

The weekend after that, the GT Cup team went to Snetterton with Jim Geddie and his McLaren MP4-12C GT3. More podiums for the team came in races one and three. Unfortunately a puncture in race two meant Jim had to settle for fifth. Usually we would see July out at Spa for the 24-hour race.

This year we decided to take a break from the endurance race to focus on our many other projects.

United Autosports set to shine with AutoglymWe are pleased to announce our partnership with Autoglym for the rest of the year. The deal includes Autoglym branding on the two United Autosports Toyota Avensis touring cars. Keep an eye out for their branding on our cars from now on.

Race Action

Team Member

Profile

Historic Car

Driver Profile

Dear Flower...

IN NEXT MONTHS EDITION: The return of the BTCC / Ginetta action after the summer break HENDERSON

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Spa BGTWe recorded a fifth and an unrepresentative 22nd in the two, one-hour races staged at the magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium on 12th July. Both Mark Patterson and Matt Bell qualified 13th fastest in the 36-car field – having set the eighth fastest combined time with a time 0.5 seconds quicker in practice – with just two “flying laps” possible around the 4.35-mile track in the 15-minute time trials on Friday afternoon – both sessions staged on a dry track.

Contact on lap one in the opening race dropped the Audi down to 22nd on the second lap but both drivers fought back well, and the R8 was the fastest car on track in the closing stages. Matt and Mark eventually finished in fifth, which is the team’s best placing since the opening BGT round in April.

In race two, Matt’s Audi was hit from behind entering the final corners before the start-finish straight just as the race was set to resume. The resultant puncture and time-consuming “in lap” ruled out another likely top-six placing – unfortunately epitomising the cruel luck we have endured in the 2014 Avon Tyres British GT Championship story.

Snetterton GT CupWe finished second in two of the three races during the fourth round of the GT Cup at Snetterton. Jim Geddie scored a fastest lap in the second race of the weekend and started from pole position in the third, holding onto the lead until the final lap when a mistake passing lapped traffic meant Shaun Balfe found his way past the McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

In the first 45-minute race of the weekend held on Saturday, Jim started on the front row of the grid and took the lead from the start. At the halfway mark, Jim made his way into the pits for the compulsory pit stop, which included a 35-second success penalty from his wins at Silverstone, and rejoined the track to finish the race in second.

In Sunday’s first 20-minute race, Jim started on the front row again and held his position until a puncture under the safety car caused by debris on the track dropped him down the order. He made his way back through the field and finished fifth. Scoring a fastest lap in race two meant Jim started the third race in pole position. Jim held onto the lead but a mistake on the final lap passing lapped traffic meant Balfe found a way past him. Two second places over the weekend mean some more valuable points for the team.

Team Member Profile: Ben Fisher

How old are you?21

What is your role at United Autosports?Data Engineer or ‘chief laptop fairy’. All depends on who you ask!

How long have you worked at United Autosports? A year and a half.

What is your nickname and why?Baloo – I was caught trundling down the pitlane at Spa, wallowing like Baloo from the Jungle Book by one of the mechanics who decided Baloo was a very fitting nickname.

What do you get up to outside work?On weekends off, I marshal at British Superbike rounds. And the rest of the time, just chilling out whenever I can (comes with the territory as a bear), with the girlfriend and friends, and taking my four-legged friend out for walks in the countryside.

How did you get into racing?Well I have always had an interest in motorsport since I started school, however it was only last year that I got the opportunity to join the motorsport ranks. Subscribing to Race Day Staff on a whim two years ago led to me being offered a position at UA last year.

What is it that makes you passionate about motorsport?Motorsport is a tricky one. On one hand you have the highs of winning and on the other the lows of not finishing races. I guess

from that, it’s the unpredictable nature and the thrill of being part of team that has achieved its weekend goal!

What has been your funniest racing experience so far?Looking back it has to be at Macau last year, the morning after the race winners’ party. Having to spend an entire day walking round Hong Kong with the most indecisive Southerner, while being horrifically hungover was an experience at the time that was not ideal, but was very funny for everyone else to watch. Somewhat my Macau legacy now!

Sneak Peek: Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Next month the United historics team will head to America for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The 1973 Osella Abarth and the 1985 Roush Protofab will be making the crossing for Zak Brown and Richard Dean to race in one of the most prestigious historic race events in the world. Check back here next month to see how we got on.

www.unitedautosports.com

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Snetterton GT CupWe finished second in two of the three races during the fourth round of the GT Cup at Snetterton. Jim Geddie scored a fastest lap in the second race of the weekend and started from pole position in the third, holding onto the lead until the final lap when a mistake passing lapped traffic meant Shaun Balfe found his way past the McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

In the first 45-minute race of the weekend held on Saturday, Jim started on the front row of the grid and took the lead from the start. At the halfway mark, Jim made his way into the pits for the compulsory pit stop, which included a 35-second success penalty from his wins at Silverstone, and rejoined the track to finish the race in second.

In Sunday’s first 20-minute race, Jim started on the front row again and held his position until a puncture under the safety car caused by debris on the track dropped him down the order. He made his way back through the field and finished fifth. Scoring a fastest lap in race two meant Jim started the third race in pole position. Jim held onto the lead but a mistake on the final lap passing lapped traffic meant Balfe found a way past him. Two second places over the weekend mean some more valuable points for the team.

Driver Profile: Carl Breeze

Age: 35

What championship do you race in? Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup

How long have you been racing with United Autosports? This is my first season with the team and it already feels like home.

Why do you like driving for United Autosports? They are the most professional team I have driven for. They treat the driver like a superstar, nothing is ever too much trouble and they share the same will to win. I hope to do well for them this season and merit the opportunity to get a seat in GTs for the future.

What is your racing history? - Three times British Karting Champion- Formula Renault UK Champion- Ginetta GT Supercup Champion- BRDC McLaren Autosport Young Driver Finalist- BRDC Rising Star

How did you get into racing? Started in cadet karting when I was 11 - my dad raced gearbox karts so I grew up with motorsport and got the racing bug through him.

What do you do in your spare time? Support Arsenal, I enjoy cycling and watching any forms of motorsport. I also like going to the USA when I can.

What has been your funniest racing experience so far? Snetterton is my home race because I come from King’s Lynn, so when I won there in the Ginetta GT Supercup I was super excited. I was waving to the crowd and flashing the front light switch up and down on the dash. I was pretty pumped up from the win and when I got out the car I remembered that the lights were in fact just stickers!! How embarrassing!

Do you have a nickname – if so, what is it? Breezey or Carlos. Flower likes to call me Carlos Revalotti

Sneak Peek: Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Next month the United historics team will head to America for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The 1973 Osella Abarth and the 1985 Roush Protofab will be making the crossing for Zak Brown and Richard Dean to race in one of the most prestigious historic race events in the world. Check back here next month to see how we got on.

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Question:I see you travel a lot in your motorsport job. My husband has

a new job and now also travels a lot with his work and I am worried it may make us drift apart. How have you held onto your relationships at the same time as continuing to work in motorsport?

Answer:I haven’t! Sorry, I can’t help with this month’s letter.

Please note: Flower’s monthly views on life expressed in this column are not necessarily the views of the company or its staff. United Autosports will not be held responsible for any offence caused

If you have any personal or emotional problems you would like Uncle Flower to help with, then please send a private message to him on the team Facebook page.

IN NEXT MONTHS EDITION: The return of the BTCC / Ginetta action after the summer break

2nd – 3rd August BTCC / Ginetta Supercup Snetterton, Norfolk

16th – 17th August Monterey Historics USA

16th – 17th August GT Cup Silverstone, Northamptonshire

23rd – 24th August BTCC / Ginetta Supercup Knockhill, Scotland

30th – 31st August British GT Brands Hatch GP, Kent

6th – 7th September BTCC / Ginetta Supercup Rockingham, Northamptonshire

13th – 14th September British GT Donington Park, Leicestershire

20th – 21st September GT Cup Donington Park, Leicestershire

27th – 28th September BTCC / Ginetta Supercup Silverstone, Northamptonshire

11th – 12th October BTCC / Ginetta Supercup Brands Hatch GP, Kent

25th October GT Cup Oulton Park, Cheshire

15th – 16th November Macau GT Cup Asia

10th – 12th December Gulf 12 Hours Abu Dhabi

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Diary Dates 2014... Keep an eye out for us at the following events throughout the year

Dear Flower...

United Autosports Historic Car Profile1973 Abarth Osella PA1 Sports Prototype

This chassis was built at the end of 1972/beginning of 1973 and campaigned by the Abarth Osella factory as a works entry in the European two-litre Sports Car Championship. It was driven by the 1972 champion, Arturo Merzario, whose only victory in 1973 was at the Nurburgring 500kms. At the season’s end, Abarth Osella had finished third in the championship for Makes.

The PA1/04 has been restored to factory specification with the exception of a later oil pump, which has meant the oil tank had to be moved from the right hand side to the left hand side of the car.

Manufacturer: Abarth OsellaChassis: PA1/04Series: European two-litre Sports Car ChampionshipTeam: Abarth OsellaDriver: Arturo MerzarioPerformance Statistics: 320 horsepower, 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, 70mph top speed