Matt Bell is doubling up racing duties, returning to the #22 AERO Ligier JS P3 alongside Jim McGuire. This weekend’s Michelin Le Mans Cup race will mark Matt’s 100th race with United Autosports. Richard Meins also returns to the team in the #23 Gulf Marine liveried Ligier JS P3, alongside our 2016 ELMS LMP3 Champion, Christian England. The #32 Ligier will be piloted by newcomers Naj Husain and Colin Braun for our third full season entry. Colin is unable to race at Paul Ricard, due to also having conflicting IMSA racing commitments, meaning Naj will be joined by single-seater racer, Mahaveer Raghunathan for the opening round.
Jim McGuire (US), driver car #22, United Autosports:
Born: New York, USA. Lives: San Francisco, USA. Age: 57
“Last season was an absolute dream for me, racing with Matt Bell in Europe with United Autosports in our AERO-painted Ligier JS P3. The treatment of gentleman drivers in the MLMC is just epic, and the program that UAS has developed for Matt and I is really letting us drive our progress and development forward into 2018. As a technology entrepreneur, I can really appreciate the approach United Autosports takes with management and product performance, so that every single race we’re delivering the best package possible. I’m thrilled to see how it all unfolds at Paul Ricard, and for the whole 2018 season.”
Matt Bell (GB), driver car #22, United Autosports:
Born: Newcastle, UK. Lives: Stamford, UK. Age: 28
“It’s going to be a busy week for me, doing both Michelin Le Mans Cup and ELMS. It’s the first time I’ve done both series on one weekend, but I’m sure it will all work out well. I’m looking forward to driving with Jim again. We are fresh from our race at Sebring in the LMP3 car so all ready to go for the European series. Our aim is to build on the progress we made last year. We ended up with a podium at the final round, Jim came on hugely by the end of the season and at the Gulf 12 Hours at the end of the year. However, the competition has stepped up a notch and the series looks as competitive as it’s ever been. I’m confident we can be more competitive than last year with the focus on more than learning this year, we want to get some results so I’m pretty excited to get going.”
Richard Meins (GB), driver car #23, United Autosports:
Born: London, UK. Lives: Surrey, UK. Age: 63
“I’m really looking forward to returning to United Autosports and entering my second year in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. I have experience of all the circuits now so I’m more confident going into my second season. I’m looking forward to working with Christian too. He’s an LMP3 Champion and has lots of LMP3 mileage under his belt so I’m sure I can learn from him too. I can’t wait for the season opener at Paul Ricard.”
Christian England (GB), driver #23, United Autosports:
Born: Barnsley, UK. Lives: Huddersfield, UK. Age: 36
“I’m really looking forward to getting to work with Richard [Meins] and kick off the season opener at Paul Ricard. The Michelin Le Mans Cup looks extremely competitive this year, so we need to work hard to try and get some good results. I’m really thankful to be able to return to United Autosports for a third consecutive season. The team feels like family to me and that’s a huge part of why I love the racing. I’m sure Richard and I will have some great racing, great fun and overall a great experience this year travelling around some of Europe’s finest race tracks.”
Naj Husain (US), driver car #32, United Autosports:
Born: New Jersey. Lives: Virginia. Age: 55
“We had a great test at Portimao and it’s great to be with a top notch team. For me it’s getting to the European tracks that I’m most excited about. I’ve never raced at Paul Ricard so the prologue will be my first experience of it and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Mahaveer Raghunathan (IND), driver car #32, United Autosports:
Born/Lives: Chennai, India. Age: 19
“I am excited to race in the first round of the Michelin Le Mans Cup with a top team like United Autosports. I look forward to work with Naj who has a lot of experience in the prototype cars. I tested the Ligier JS P3 last year and found it suited my driving style. I am thankful to Richard [Dean] and Naj for giving me this opportunity and I am looking forward to helping the team win at Paul Ricard, which is one of my favourite circuits. I have fond memories of my podium finish there in 2017 in the Auto GP car.”
Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:
“I’m looking forward to the start of the 2018 season. We are entering our third year with the Ligiers and we’ve had two LMP3 championships and a second place in LMP2 in our debut year, which is a great record. I’m excited to see what this year brings.”
Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:
“I think we have had one of the busiest starts to the year I can remember but the team have done well to get us to this point. Running seven Ligiers on one weekend is the most we have ever run, but we are well organised and have the cars run by what is effectively three independent teams in the three series. We have some really strong driver line ups in all three teams, so I’m confident we can start the 2018 season where we finished 2017.”
