DSC corralled United Autosports Team Principal Richard Dean during the race morning autograph session to ask on progress with the decision on whether the team will take up their automatic invitation to the LMP2 class for the 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours in the wake of securing the 2016 ELMS LMP3 Championship.

“It’s an opportunity that any professional motorsport team simply has to take up if at all possible.

“It’s early days, but we know we have a small window of opportunity to get a programme together.

“We have every intention of doing it but there are a lot of decisions that need to be made very soon.

“Certainly it’s fair to say that I never knew how popular I was with so many drivers! The phone has been very busy!!”

Aside from decisions on chassis, drivers and logistics for Le Mans there will need to be a decision taken on whether the car would be for a one-off at Le Mans or with a more extensive season commitment, supporting the team’s expected multi-car return in LMP3 for the 2017 ELMS.

“It’s all in the mix. The main point is to take the opportunity we now have. How we do it will be sorted out very soon!”

If and when the programme is confirmed it will mark the second time that United Autosports have competed in LMP2 after a one off effort in a Oak Pescarolo Judd at Petit Le Mans in 2011 (above) for Zak Brown, Stefan Johansson and Mark Patterson, the trio finishing second in class.