WILLS TO REPLACE MEINS AT BRITISH GT OPENER

Richard Meins, British GT driver with United Autosports will miss the season opener after suffering an accident in testing last week. Spa 24 2011 GT4 winner Roger Wills joins Mark Blundell in the McLaren MP4-12c for round one at Oulton Park in a little under a fortnight.

Richard, who had joined the team for a two-day test, suffered broken ribs and a knee injury after an incident on-track, which also damaged the McLaren. After the accident Richard said, “Not having raced at Oulton Park since 2000 I was looking forward to the two-day test. It didn’t take me long to get back into the flow, and I soon remembered the unique nature of the circuit with help from Mark Blundell and the team.

On our second day, I started to put in some decent lap times, and then in the afternoon session I put a rear wheel on the grass at the kink before the first chicane. This caused a side impact with the tyre wall, which unfortunately resulted in sustaining broken ribs and a fractured knee, not to mention the damage to the car. I want to thank the marshals and medical staff at Oulton Park for a really professional job helping me out of the car and taking care of me in the Medical Centre, and to the paramedics and the staff at NHS Leighton Hospital in Crewe. It was not the start to the season I had hoped for, and to say I am very disappointed is an understatement, but I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel at Silverstone.”

Roger made his debut in GT racing in 2010 in a works supported Jota Aston Martin Vantage, going on to win the GT4 class of the Spa 24 Hours. A move to the ILMC in 2011 saw him finish fourth in the LM GTE Pro-Am Championship with two podiums and he had his first taste of the “works” McLaren MP4-12C in their debut race at the 2011 Spa 24 Hours.

Roger is no stranger to the United Autosports team, having competed in the Dubai 24 Hours in the Audi R8 LMS last year. Commenting on this unexpected opportunity Roger said, “I’m delighted to be stepping into the car for Oulton Park, but I’m disappointed for Richard who is a good friend of mine, and I hope he makes a quick recovery. I’ve driven the McLaren before, during the Spa 24 hours but it will be my first time in the British GT Championship and I am really looking forward to it. It’s great to be back with the team."

For more information visit www.britishgt.com