And Audi Makes Three For United In 2013
Bell And Patterson To Team Up

Having already announced that they will be fielding two McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in the British GT Championship in 2013, United Autosports has now confirmed that they will also be adding an Audi R8 LMS ultra to their campaign, with Matt Bell joining forces with Mark Patterson.

“I’m very happy to have been signed up so far ahead of next year,” said Bell, who will be the Pro driver. “I’ve got a great relationship with the team; through working with them I met Mark and the three of us got together to do this deal.  United Autosports has really grown as a team over the last three years and now has a lot of experience, not least two seasons of British GT, so I think we will be a force to be reckoned with next year.  Mark himself has been racing for nearly a decade at a very high level for a non-professional.  I have a lot of respect for what he has achieved and his reliability and consistency will make him a great partner.

“I’ll be working hard between now and the start of the new season to really get to peak fitness. I’m doing the Great North Run this weekend and hope to do a few more road races like that. In terms of driving I’m hoping to get in a couple of winter races, like the Dubai 24 Hours, and as always I will do a lot of karting to keep myself fit and keep my ribs bruised!”

USA-based South African Patterson brings a wealth of experience from Grand-Am, FIA GT3 and the Blancpain Endurance Series and was last seen in action with the team at the recent Spa 24 Hours, where he got to try the upgraded Audi for the first time.

“Matt and I will be teamed up for an entire season for the first time, which is exciting. I know we share the same level of focus and commitment to performing at the limit. With Audi’s factory support we are comfortable that we can challenge for podiums and be in a position to fight for the title. Despite travelling from the United States of America to compete I'm very comfortable with Silverstone, Snetterton and Oulton Park.  Most importantly, we believe the balance of driver competition is right in our sweet spot, so we're looking forward to some tough and competitive racing with reliable results on a repetitive basis.

"United Autosports will feature both Audis and McLarens in the British GT championship, so we'll be having our own little duels in-house and out on the track.  I can't wait.”

“We have effectively been running two GT teams for the last two years with our BGT and FIA campaigns running independently of each other," added Team Owner Richard Dean. "The Audi has been the car to beat in the major races during 2012 and we have three years experience and a great relationship with Audi Sport. We are also in our third year with Mark and Matt and I believe they will prove to be one of the strongest driver pairings in the BGT. It is a really exciting time for us, and everybody involved in the team.”