United Autosports to make LMP2 debut at Petit Le Mans with OAK Racing

Former grand prix driver and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Stefan Johansson will race the car with Mark Patterson and team co-owner Zak Brown at the 1000km event at Road Atlanta - which will count as a round of both the American Le Mans Series and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.

Richard Dean, who co-owns the team with Brown, said that the entry marks the first step in its plans to compete at the Le Mans 24 Hours in the future.

"Road Atlanta is a legendary track and this year's entrants are top-shelf; I speak for all of the United Autosports drivers when I say that we are thrilled to be a part of this field and eager to get out there and run against some of the top Le Mans Prototype teams in the world," said United Autosports co-owner Richard Dean.

"This is a prime opportunity for us because ultimately it's our goal to get to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so we are looking forward to going out there and shaking this field up a little bit."

The partnership between the two teams will be along similar lines to what United Autosports has done with Michael Shank Racing in Grand-Am at a number of events this year. Experienced sportscar outfit DAMS will also provided technical support.

United Autosports, which was formed in 2009, also fields cars in the FIA GT3 and British GT championships.