David Brabham and Rob Bell will return to Extreme Speed Motorsport Patron for final round of the American Le Mans Series, the Petit Le Mans.
Brabham will race the #01 HPD ARX-03b alongside Scott Sharp and Anthony Lazzaro at the ten-hour Road Atlanta race, marking the first time Brabham will have driven for ESM since the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring. The two-time ALMS Champion has 23 victories to his name, including two Petit Le Mans triumphs in 1999 and 2010.
“Well, I am pretty bored at the moment as the last race I did was with ESM was Sebring, so I can’t wait to get back out there again,” joked Brabham. “In all seriousness though, I am so looking forward to seeing the team, drivers and the fans; I have missed everyone since March.
“I know Atlanta well and I had a great race in 1999 at the second Petit Le Mans, so it is a special place for me. I know we have a very strong driver lineup, so it gives us and the team a great shot at winning. It will be the last race of the ALMS – a series I have spent the last 12 years of my life racing. I feel privileged to be doing the last one.”
Bell will be one of the men behind the wheel of the sister #02 car with Ed Brown and Johannes van Overbeek. Bell last drove for ESM in 2011, competing in the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans. Bell also has two Le Mans Series titles, winning them in 2007 and 2008.
“I’m delighted to be asked back to race with ESM. I enjoyed my races in 2011 and think I fitted in well to the team ethos. The difference this time is the move from GT to prototype which makes it even more interesting for me. I’m really looking forward to driving with Ed again and pairing up with Johannes. I can’t wait to get started and hopefully repay their faith in me.”
