Blundell announces 2013 Avon Tyres British GT campaign

Ex-Formula One racer, Mark Blundell, has confirmed that he will contest a full season in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship for 2013.

Blundell will drive a United Autosports-run McLaren MP4-14C alongside Richard Meins in the UK’s premier endurance racing championship, which has seen grids boosted ahead of the 2013 season.

Forty-six-year-old Blundell made his Formula One racing debut in 1991 and contested three full seasons between 1993 and 1995, recording three podiums during spells with Tyrell, Brabham, Ligier and McLaren. He has since competed in a range of formulae, including European and American sportscar racing.

The seasoned racer is no stranger to the United Autosports squad, having raced with the Leeds-based outfit in the 2011 Rolex 24, in which he finished fourth in the Daytona prototype class.

The ex-F1 driver announced his full-time comeback at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, where a host of British GT cars were on display. United Autosports also announced Viglen IT as a new partner to the team, which will field three cars in the championship this season.

Speaking at the show, Blundell said, “It’s great to be part of the United Autosports team for 2013. I learnt my craft as a junior driver on many tracks that the championship competes on, so I am really looking forward to being back home. What makes it even more special is that I will be able to race in front of family and friends and the many loyal race fans who have supported me over the years.
“I would like to thank Zak Brown and Richard Dean for giving me the opportunity and Viglen Computers for the support this season, along with my teammate Richard Meins. I expect us to be a strong combination armed with the McLaren MP4 -12C GT3 car.

The British series is getting stronger by the season and I hope that we will be able to entertain the race fans. For me, it’s about racing on home turf – what could be better? I can’t wait to get the season underway.”

The 2013 Avon Tyres British GT Championship, which boasts a host of new teams for the new season, including AF Corse and Vita4One Team Italy, begins at Oulton Park over Easter Bank Holiday weekend (March 30-April 1).