United Autosports has signed two-time Le Mans class winner and FIA WEC GTE Am champion Ben Keating and 22-year-old Briton Alex Quinn for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
The deal ensures the duo will continue to compete in an ORECA 07 together in IMSA’s LMP2 class, but with a new team.
Currently, Keating and Quinn drive for PR1 Mathiasen. Keating leads the IMSA LMP2 championship with full-season teammate Paul Loup Chatin, while Quinn has been filling the car’s third seat at the Endurance Cup rounds.
“I’m really excited about this new venture with the United Autosports team,” says Quinn, (who is signed for the five Endurance Cup races) “and, of course, to be joining Ben for another year in IMSA.”
“It’s an honour to be teaming up with a team with so much experience in LMP2. I am really enjoying my first season in endurance racing.
“Hopefully Ben and myself can finish the season strongly, and looking ahead, I am feeling positive that we can challenge for the title in 2024 with United Autosports.”
The 2024 campaign will be United’s first as a full-season IMSA team. It is moving its flagship sportscar effort stateside due to LMP2’s removal from the FIA WEC from next season and a lack of suitable opportunities in Hypercar and LMGT3.
The team is set to run a pair of ORECA 07 Gibsons. Keating and Quinn are the first confirmed drivers.
United Autosports co-owner Richard Dean says securing Keating and Quinn is a “statement of intent” for the team.
“We are all very motivated to be working with these talented and proven winners in IMSA,” he continues. “We are coming to IMSA to win races and having Ben and Alex join our team gives us every chance of achieving that.”
In addition to a full season of IMSA racing, Keating believes signing with United puts him in a strong position to secure a seat for the Le Mans 24 Hours. Next year the LMP2 class is likely to be smaller than in recent years due to growth in Hypercar and a high level of interest for LMGT3. It is expected to feature around 15 cars.
“Running in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for a 10th time in a row is a big priority for me,” he explained. “I’d like to attempt to win my class for a third year in a row, and I believe United Autosports gives me the best chance at realizing this goal.”
Featured image courtesy of United
