United Autosports has confirmed Tom Blomqvist to fill in for Paul di Resta in the #22 Oreca 07 LMP2 amid an FIA WEC and IMSA scheduling clash.
The FIA World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Sao Paulo and the IMSA SportsCar Championship’s Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) sprint round clash with one another on 11-13 July.
As the IMSA round will only host the LMP2, GTD Pro and GTD categories, the absence of the GTP category meant Blomqvist would be available, unoccupied with his full-season drive in the #60 Meyer Shank Acura ARX-06.
Meanwhile, di Resta prioritised his WEC Hypercar seat with Peugeot over the 160-minute IMSA sprint race, having contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Peugeot last month, as did Blomqvist for CLX Pure Racing in LMP2.
“I’m grateful Daniel [Goldburg] and the United Autosports team have entrusted me to fill in for Paul [di Resta]”, said Blomqvist ahead of Round 7.
“We completed a successful test a few weeks back, which was good for me to get acquainted again with the team and get some laps under my belt.
“We’re both coming off a victory last time out in Watkins Glen in our respective classes, so we want to carry that momentum through to Mosport.
“I’m excited, I love these cars and I love this track, it couldn’t be a better combination.”
United Autosports leading the LMP2 standings
“It’s just this one race that Paul [di Resta] has the conflict with WEC,” added Goldburg, who leads the LMP2 championship standings.
“I asked around for recommendations of the best driver I could get in the seat, and Tom’s name kept coming up.
“We had a great test at Mosport, so I’m definitely looking forward to the race.
“Seeing Tom [Blomqvist] in the winners circle at Watkins was the icing on the cake […] we both have some momentum right now, so we’re hoping to keep that rolling.”
“It’s great to have Tom [Blomqvist] back with the team,” concluded Richard Dean, United Autosports CEO.
“He’s fast, reliable and a proven winner […] the perfect driver to join Daniel [Goldburg] and the #22 crew as we go for another strong result in Canada to extend the #22’s championship lead.”
Since di Resta will be absent at CTMP, Goldburg will lead the fight for the LMP2 Drivers’ title at the first sprint race round for the LMP2 category.
READ MORE – United Autosports boss praises team after gritty Watkins Glen win
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