United Autosports are preparing for the 70th annual 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend, the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Jim McGuire and Guy Smith will make their return to Sebring as teammates to race the #22 Oreca 07. Jim and Guy teamed up last year in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and also raced together recently at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing sixth in class.
Duncan Tappy will join Jim and Guy in the #22 car, having raced previously with Jim in the #3 AERO liveried Ligier JS P320 in the European Le Mans Series in 2020 and 2021. Not only will Duncan make his debut in American racing, but it will also be his first race with the team in the LMP2 Oreca 07 ahead of his 2022 European Le Mans Series LMP2 campaign alongside Phil Hanson and Tom Gamble.
United Autosports also contested the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring in 2018 with Phil Hanson, Paul Di Resta and Alex Brundle, where they finished fifth.
United Autosports will be at Sebring International Raceway contesting two championships as they are also preparing for the first round of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship with the #22 Oreca 07 of Phil Hanson, Filipe Albuquerque, and Will Owen. In the team’s #23 entry will be Josh Pierson, Oliver Jarvis and Paul Di Resta, who steps in for Alex Lynn while he focuses on his IMSA duties with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Car 22
Jim McGuire:
“I’m really looking forward to be racing once again at Sebring International Raceway. We had a great race last year and I can’t wait to get back in the car with Guy Smith and to also get Duncan Tappy in our Oreca 07 LMP2 car. Duncan and I have raced together in the Ligier JS P320 in the European Le Mans Series over the last two seasons so I’m very excited to race with him in America. I am ready to attack the bumps at Sebring and as always, it’s a pleasure to do it with United Autosports.”
Guy Smith:
“I am really excited to return to the Sebring Mobil 1 12 Hours, it is without a doubt one of my favourite races in the world. It always has such a great vibe and there is nothing quite like it when all the fans are trackside. It’s a tough race and very demanding for the car, driver, and the crew but that’s what makes it so rewarding if you make it to the finish. We had a great run last year and the United Autosports Oreca 07 manages well around the bumpy airfield circuit. Having already competed at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona earlier in the year I think we are well set up and ready for the challenge, so bring it on!”
Duncan Tappy:
“It’s massively exciting to be making my IMSA and LMP2 debut with United Autosports in Sebring. What a place for it to be. It’s great to be paired with Jim again after two hugely enjoyable years together racing in LMP3 in ELMS. Sharing the car with Guy is also something I’m looking forward to as he has a wealth of experience, and I can’t wait for all three of us to work together.”
Zak Brown
“Racing at Sebring is always awesome and I’m excited to see how well Duncan, Jim and Guy will get on. After the team’s first race at Daytona in January, I’m sure they are looking forward to this next race on the IMSA calendar.”
Richard Dean
“I am really looking forward to our return to Sebring for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The track is so unique, and I am pleased that Duncan can make his LMP2 and IMSA debut with us alongside Jim and Guy. I wish the three of them the best of luck and I know that they will fight hard to get a good result.”
Source. United Autosports
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