LE MANS CUP: STORMY PORTIMAO MARKS THE FINAL RACE FOR OUR PRO/AM DUOS
United Autosports race LMP3 at Le Mans Cup 2023 Portimao Round
The final Le Mans Cup race in Portimao brought the season to a stormy end as heavy rain caused a red flag with 20 minutes to go – the #23 Ligier JS P320 crossing the line P22 with the #22 just behind in P24.
It marks the end of the Le Mans Cup journey for our two Pro/Am duos after a combined six seasons competing in the series with United Autosports … and with many highlights along the way.
Gerry Kraut and Scott Andrews (#22) celebrated on the podium at the 2021 season opener in Barcelona and then took victory in the 2021 Monza Round. John Schauerman and Wayne Boyd (#23) have also crossed the line victorious, winning the Spa Round last month - adding the all-important winners trophy to their collection, along with three podium places and a total of 14 top-ten Le Mans Cup finishes during their time racing together … topped off with the 2023 Gentleman of the Year Award which was presented to John at the end-of-season prize ceremony on Sunday evening (see more).
Thank you Gerry, Scott, John and Wayne – it's been a blast.
Gerry Kraut and Scott Andrews race in 2023 Le Mans Cup Portimao Round with United Autosports
#22
QUALI P23 | RACE P24
Gerry Kraut: “This was the best stint I’ve had all season! I’m not afraid of the wet, I drive fairly well in it … always have. I was happy keeping the car on track and staying out of trouble – really enjoyed myself frankly! Racing in these conditions takes a lot more concentration than racing in the dry because it’s not instinctual. I’m going to miss United Autosports, that was my last race with them. Great team, thank you all.”
Scott Andrews: “Last race of the season – the weather put a dampener on things for the final race of a great Le Mans Cup career with United Autosports, but it was the right call to red flag it. I’ve had many great years with the team in their LMP3 programme, including that Le Mans Cup win with Gerry at Monza in 2021. I want to thank everybody involved, especially on our #22 Le Mans Cup programme but everybody in the United team. They really make you feel at home … the travel’s not easy but it’s always a pleasure to come and race with these guys and I have a big smile on my face when I’m here. Hopefully it’s not my last race in these colours.”
Wayne Boyd and John Schauerman race in 2023 Le Mans Cup Portimao Round with United Autosports
#23
QUALI P13 | RACE P22
John Schauerman: “Final race at Portimao … very tough conditions out there. I had an unfortunate spin in a blind corner on an early lap, so I had to wait for the whole field to go by which really set us back. But I kept the car straight most of the way, had a few more small spins. Just a tough day but really fun to be out there. Great job by the United Autosports team all year long and obviously great job from Wayne. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be involved with United and Wayne … yes, I’ve really enjoyed this.”
Wayne Boyd: “Not quite the way we wanted to finish the season but I feel the Race Director made the correct call to stop the race. Unfortunately the conditions were just too dangerous … it goes like that sometimes. Overall, a good year – obviously our highlight with the win at Spa which was epic. Four years driving with John, it’s been amazing … an honour. I’ve come away with a great friend and I hope we can do it again sometimes. This is my last race with United for the time being … hope to be back at some stage but I can’t thank everybody enough for having me as part of the family for the past eight years. I’m going to miss everyone massively.”
TEAM MANAGER
Charlie Kemp: “Portimao delivered extremely tough, stormy conditions for the Le Mans Cup on race day – but the drivers stayed focused and brought the cars home safely, before the session was red flagged with 20 minutes to go. It has been a true pleasure to work with John, Wayne, Gerry and Scott, seeing all the hard work of these Pro/Am teams paying off with podium celebrations across Europe … including that epic win in Spa for the #23 Ligier JS P320 last month and the Gentleman of the Year award for John Schauerman. Huge thank you to the drivers, the United Autosports team, the Le Mans Cup organisers and everybody else who has worked to make this season a success - it has been a year to remember.”
