SEBRING, Fla. – United Autosports officials have confirmed plans to compete in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring Int’l Raceway on March 20.
Jim McGuire, Wayne Boyd and Guy Smith will team up to race the Oreca 07 LMP2 car in the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
McGuire has raced for United Autosports since the end of 2016, when he first joined them for the Gulf 12 Hours. Since then he has raced for the team in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, Asian Le Mans Series and the European Le Mans Series. He also works closely with United Autosports through his AERO Sustainable Paint Technology business, appointing United Autosports as UK agents for the company in 2017.
“I’m super excited to race in the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring in an Oreca 07 LMP2 car with United Autosports,” said McGuire. “I’ve raced with United Autosports in Europe, Asia and the Middle East so it is absolutely fantastic to continue this great adventure with the United family on this side of the Atlantic. I’m really looking forward to teaming up with Guy Smith and Wayne Boyd too. I’ve known them both for many years and believe we will be in the hunt straight away for a podium finish. The Oreca 07 is an amazing machine that will look fantastic in the United Autosports AERO livery. It’s awesome that United is showcasing our sustainable paint technology on another IMSA entry.”
Boyd also joined the team in 2016 when they made their LMP3 debut in the European Le Mans Series and has been part of the United family ever since. Boyd is the reigning ELMS LMP3 champion, having won three out of five races during the 2020 season and scoring four pole positions for the team. He raced for their LMP2 team in 2018 before entering the 2018/2019 Asian Le Mans Series, where he finished second in the LMP3 championship.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in the Sebring 12 Hours in the LMP2 car,” Boyd said. “I tested the Oreca 07 after the final ELMS race at the end of the 2020 season and I felt comfortable in it very quickly, so it’s great to get this opportunity. I’ve raced at Sebring a few times. It’s very different to the majority of tracks we go to, but one I really enjoy. I’ve known Jim for years, so it’s nice to finally get to drive together and I’m sure there will be plenty of laughs along the way. I’m looking forward to welcoming Guy to the team too. This year will mark my sixth year with United Autosports – great people, extremely successful and I hope we can add to that in Sebring. Huge thanks to everyone for making this possible.”
Smith has a huge racing pedigree and most notably won the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans for Team Bentley as a Bentley factory driver in the Bentley Speed 8. Smith was also crowned IMSA LMP1 champion in 2011. Although Smith will be making his United Autosports debut, he has raced at Sebring 13 times before.
“It’s really great to be joining Jim and Wayne at United Autosports for the Sebring 12 Hours,” said Smith. “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 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.”
While the team is currently only committed to the 12 Hours of Sebring, there is the possibility that further IMSA races, including Watkins Glen and the Petit Le Mans, could be added to the calendar this year.
United Autosports are aiming to create a North American base for their team by running their Oreca 07 LMP2 car from a new facility based in Palm Beach, Fla., which will also house their equipment and U.S. race transporter.
“I’m really pleased United will be entering the IMSA Sebring 12 Hours race,” said team owner Zak Brown. “It’s a great event and the track is just awesome. Jim, Wayne and Guy will have a blast in the Oreca round there. I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on.”