GRAND-AM’s Spirit of Daytona announced today that Richard Westbrook will be joining the team for the entire 2012 Rolex Sports Car Series season. Westbrook will be driving the No. 90 Corvette Daytona Prototype along with returning Spirit of Daytona Driver Antonio Garcia.
Westbrook joined Corvette Racing last year as one of two part-time endurance race driver. He won the FIA GT2 Championship in 2009 and earned podium finishes in 24-hour races at Le Mans (third in GT2) and Daytona (third overall) in 2010. He is a two-time Porsche Supercup champion (2006-07) and in 2008 he won an ALMS GT2 class victory at Road America.
“I’m delighted to have joined SDR for 2012. It’s a very exciting time to be joining the GRAND-AM championship with all the new cars and in particular the new Corvette,” added Westbrook. “We all know how good looking the car is, but now we will work hard to make it a success on the track, and I’m relishing the hard work that lies ahead.”
“We are very excited to have Richard behind the wheel of our new Corvette. This is a very exciting time for Spirit of Daytona,” said team owner Troy Flis.
“Everyone at Spirit of Daytona is thrilled about Richard joining our team. We are working very hard to make sure that we perform at the highest level and are challenging for a championship at the end of the year,” said Flis. “Our focus now is to be prepared for the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 in a few weeks and to carry that momentum for the entire season.”
Westbrook will begin the 2012 race season with Spirit of Daytona at the official three-day test weekend, the Roar Before the Rolex 24, scheduled for Jan. 6-8, on the 3.56-mile road course at Daytona International Speedway.
Earlier this month, the ALMS rumor-mill had Westbrook racing for Spirit of Daytona in GRAND-AM and Garcia moving to a full time position in the ALMS with Corvette Racing. Although there is only one weekend where the GRAND-AM schedule conflicts with the ALMS, this announcement by Spirit of Daytona may put that rumor to rest.
Source:
SPEED
Related:
[RUMORS] Garcia Gets Full Time Ride at Corvette Racing; Beretta Could Be Out
Corvette Racing Announces 2011 Driver Lineup
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