United Autosports wins 2014 GT Cup Championship at Oulton Park

Jim Geddie (in photo from a previous start) began the first race of the day on pole position and brought his McLaren MP4-12C GT3 home in first place at Oulton Park, clinching the championship for the United Autosport team. After being passed by Richard Chamberlain before the start line, a crash at the first corner knocked Chamberlain out of the race and Jim back into the lead.

He briefly slipped to second behind the Porsche of Will Plant when the safety car was called out, but he regained the lead on the race restart, a lead which grew by a second and a half each lap. Recording fastest lap after fastest lap, Jim and the team scored their second championship win together in as many years.

Phil Burgan enjoyed success in the first race. After qualifying in 12th, he brought the Audi R8 LMS ultra home in sixth, third in class after some great battles thoughout the 20-minute race.

Jim started the second race in second and Phil in seventh. Jim got the jump on the pole sitter Marcus Clutton heading into the first corner, but the race was red flagged when a start line incident involving seven cars, one of which was bystander Phil in the Audi, brought the race to a stop. At the restart, Jim was on the tail of Clutton in first, but after a strong battle in the 15-minute race, brought the McLaren home in second. Unfortunately, Phil’s race ended in the first corner incident. Over the course of the year, Jim has scored five wins and 18 podiums from 20 races.

Said Jim Geddie, Driver, United Autosports: “It’s been a good year, and weekend too. I was happy with pole in qualifying and the first race was good, taking the win and championship win. The second race was mixed. I took the lead at the first corner but then it was red flagged which was unfortunate. I kept with him though and it was a good battle but there was no point risking damage. We won the championship so I’m happy with that.”

Phil Burgan, Driver, United Autosports: “It’s been a real up and down weekend. It was very difficult in the mixed conditions for me to get the best out of the car and learn what the car will do as I’m not used to a car that has so many electrical capabilities that the Audi does. In the dry we were very quick. The first race was good. I went from 12th to sixth, which was a good recovery. I was looking forward to the second race but unfortunately got thumped out before we even got to the first corner. I’ve learnt a huge amount and enjoyed the first race so that a positive result from the weekend.”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports: “It was good to see Phil Burgan make his debut with us and in the GT Cup series and to get a podium first time out. He was unlucky in race two with the start line incident but that’s racing. He showed he’s definitely got the pace in race one. A race win and championship win for Jim, what more can you say? He’s really come on and is without a doubt a worthy champion. And it’s a second championship for the team, I’m really pleased for all of them too.”

United Autosports