United Autosports make their way to the Algarve this weekend for the final rounds of the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.
The Michelin Le Mans Cup team are also hoping to go out on a high after Richard Meins and Christian England finished fifth at Spa, scoring their best result of the season. Naj Husain and Colin Braun were unlucky at Spa. After Naj made a great start in wet conditions, he was hit by another car and forced into an unscheduled pit stop, losing valuable places and laps. Matt Bell and Jim McGuire had a mixed race at Spa. Jim made a great start but a few spins in wet conditions dropped them down the order. The pair finished third last year at Portimao and are hoping to repeat that result this year.
The Portimao race weekend begins on Friday 26th October with European Le Mans Series free practice at 11:35. The two-hour Michelin Le Mans Cup race will be held on Sunday 28th October at 09:00, with the 4 Hours of Spa Francorchamps beginning at 12:30 later the same day.
Jim McGuire (US), driver car #22, United Autosports:
“This season has been a strong effort by all without the results we have hoped for. Regardless we have had great fun and we push on to our last MLMC race of 2018. Portimao is where Matt and I had an epic podium in 2017 and that brings fantastic memories of the look on Richard Dean's face once he laid his eyes on the trophy. That look was the highlight of 2017 for me. At Portimao we will work hard to get good pace with our AERO-painted Ligier JS P3 and hope to repeat our 2017 result. United Autosports has been outstanding. We have an incredible crew behind us both on and off track. I'm excited to take our Ligier out in Europe one more time and let that AERO shine under the Portugal sun.”
Matt Bell (GB), driver car #22, United Autosports:
“Portimao was where we achieved our first MLMC podium with Jim last year, but it came due to a post-race penalty so we didn’t actually get to stand up there and pop the champagne. It would be great to make amends for that this year. It’s been another great season in this championship driving with Jim, we’ll be aiming to end it on a high.”
Richard Meins (GB), driver car #23, United Autosports:
“Back to the Algarve for the final race of the year and hopefully, it will be a bit warmer than last year. This will be my second visit to Portimao, so there can be no excuses for not knowing the track and after our fifth place at Spa, I am hoping to end the season strongly and certainly improve on last year's eighth place. You always have mixed emotions at the end of a season - there will always be a few 'might have been' moments but also some great memories to look back on over the cold winter months. As always, Shaun and Christian have been great to share the car with and working with a team like United Autosports just pushes you to a much higher level. We definitely had some bad luck this year, but I have felt much more comfortable at this level and that's been reflected in our pace. Spa was the definite highlight and the photo of me howling up the Kemmel Straight with a rooster tail of spray coming off the back was awesome!”
Christian England (GB), driver car #23, United Autosports:
“I can’t believe it’s the last race of the MLMC season already, this year has gone so quickly! Portimao is a great circuit and one where we won the last race of the ELMS in 2017 so we return with high hopes for another good result. I’ve loved every minute of racing this year with United Autosports and alongside Richard Meins. We have showed some great pace between us and last time out in Spa was our best result of the season in fifth. Let’s see if we can climb up a few more places and onto the podium in Portugal."
Naj Husain (US), driver car #32, United Autosports:
“We tested at Portimao earlier in the year as our first event with United. It’s a challenging track and great venue and I am looking forward to the race with Colin. I have learned a lot working together with Colin and United over the past five races and we will push hard for a great result for the final race of the year.”
Colin Braun (USA), driver car #32, United Autosports:
“I am really looking forward to the final round at Portimao because Naj and I had the chance to test here for our first event with United. Going back to a track for the second time will be a big help in getting up to speed and being able to give quality feedback to Andi our engineer. I really enjoyed the layout and challenging nature of the track and I know Naj did as well. I do wish the season had some more events in it because I’ve enjoyed my time in the MLMC this year and learning these new tracks. I have to say Spa was an incredible layout but I think Portimao may be underrated - what a great track. I know the team, Naj and I will be giving it our all for the final race of the season to finish with a strong result.”
