Anglo-American sportscar outfit United Autosports has announced that it will enter the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2018.
The team, run by Richard Dean and McLaren CEO Zak Brown, is stepping up to the LMP2 category this season with a Ligier JSP217.
21-year-old American Will Owen is the first driver to be confirmed for Daytona, having already been announced for United Autosports' debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
The Rolex 24 at Daytona is traditionally the season-opening race of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.
"I'm excited to bring my endurance racing venture back home to the United States," said Owen.
"I have enjoyed working with United a lot so far. I couldn't think of a better opportunity to begin 2018 with."
"Although the race is pretty far away at this point, it’s nice to have that extra time to prepare for it. I watched the 2017 race, which was fantastic, so I’m honored to be part of the event."
"I’ve never raced at Daytona but I appreciate that it will come with new challenges compared to our other races this year.”
United Autosports last entered the Rolex 24 in 2011, with Brown partnering Martin Brundle, Mark Blundell and Mark Patterson behind the wheel of a Ford Daytona Prototype. On that occasion, the team finished fourth overall.
"I’m so excited United Autosports are racing at the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona," said Brown.
"It’s such a great event and I’m really proud to be taking our team there with the Ligier JS P217. The last time we went there as a team, I was racing and we finished fourth. Hopefully this time we can get on the podium!”
Managing Director Dean, a former class winner at Le Mans, is also relishing United's expansion into some of the world's most prestigious endurance races following its European LMP3 triumph in 2016.
“Zak and I have always wanted United Autosports to compete in the world’s greatest sports car races and the Rolex 24 At Daytona is one we not only want to take part in, but we want to go there and run at the very front," he said.
"This is an iconic and historic event, I remember going as a kid watching Derek Bell, Brian Redman, Jochen Mass, Bob Wollek and all the sports car greats."
"We hope that other European teams will bring their LMP2 cars to Florida in January to try take on the USA based teams and drive the competition of this great race.”
The 56th edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona takes place on January 27, 2018.
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