David Brabham has lauded Acura's decision to commission his Patron Highcroft Racing team to run one of two new LMP1 campaigns in the American Le Mans Series from next season.
The only driver in history to win in all four ALMS classes, Brabham will move back into the premier prototype class with Acura's ARX-02a, after the marque announced that Highcroft and de Ferran Motorsports would spearhead its graduation, while the Lowe's Fernandez team continues the current LMP2 campaign.
The announcement, which preceded Brabham taking outright pole at Detroit's Belle Isle Raceway, came as an early birthday present for the sportscar veteran, who will celebrate on Friday.
“Everyone in the team is so over the moon at the news that Patrón Highcroft Racing has been chosen as one of the teams that will take part in the Acura LMP1 project for 2009,” Brabham revealed, “It's great for me personally as, although we are having a great run in LMP2, it will be good to get back in a P1 car, where we will have more power, downforce and grip - and more chances of winning races.
“The dream one day will be to take Acura and Patrón Highcroft Racing to the Le Mans 24 Hours, but we don't know when that will be. For now, it's just fantastic to be a part of the Acura programme with Patrón Highcroft Racing. It's a great time in my life and I'm enjoying every minute of it.”
The new Acura LMP1 cars, which are being designed in concert with Wirth Research in England, will begin testing in November.
