United Autosports will make its return to the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, entering a single ORECA 07-Gibson for Jim McGuire, Wayne Boyd and Guy Smith.
The Anglo-American squad last saw action in IMSA during the 2018 Watkins Glen Six Hours, when it entered a single Ligier for Phil Hanson, Bruno Senna and Paul Di Resta.
Its last outing at Sebring came in the same year, when Hanson, Di Resta and Alex Brundle finished fifth in class.
According to United Autosports, the entry into the Florida enduro is ahead of a potential IMSA expansion for the successful LMP2 squad. It could also contest rounds at Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans, while also aiming to create a North American base in Palm Beach, Florida.
“We love the IMSA series and enjoyed racing at Sebring for the 12 Hours in 2018 so we are delighted to be heading back there,” said Richard Dean, team co-owner. “The track is fantastic and almost every driver that races there absolutely loves it.
“Jim and Wayne are United regulars now but it is the first time they will have raced together.”
“I’m excited to welcome Guy to the United family too. Guy has an incredible sportscar record which includes outright victories at Sebring and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
“This programme is also a step towards our long-stated ambition of creating a North American base for United Autosports.”
At Sebring, United Autosports regulars McGuire and Boyd will be joined by 2003 Le Mans winner Guy Smith, making his team debut. Smith last raced for Team LNT Ginetta in the FIA World Endurance Championship but has not raced since the team’s premature departure from the WEC.
Smith has a great deal of experience in the Florida classic, having contested it 13 times as part of this American Le Mans Series exploits.
“It’s really great to be joining Jim and Wayne at United Autosports for the Sebring 12 Hours,” Smith said. I have known Jim for many years.
“He used to come to my races when I raced in the American Le Mans Series and I have followed his progress from a race fan to a very serious and accomplished race car driver who is not afraid to take on the biggest challenges motor racing has to offer.
“I have followed Wayne’s career and he has been excellent in the LMP3 cars and I am sure he will be just as impressive in the LMP2 car. He has a bright future ahead of him.”
“To join up with the reigning ELMS, WEC and Le Mans LMP2 champions, who are only based a stone’s throw away from my home in the UK, doesn’t get any better and I’m excited by the challenge ahead and can’t wait to get started.”
“I’m looking forward to racing in the US again having won the American Le Mans Series title back in 2011 for Mazda and having raced there for over eight years, it feels like coming home in a way.”
