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GRAND-AM: 2012 Rookie Of The Year, Richard Westbrook
Following impressive debut season in DP, Spirit of Daytona driver picks up SPEED.com's "Rookie of the Year" honors for 2012 Rolex Series...
John Dagys  |  Posted December 05, 2012   Frankfurt, (GER)
GM driver Richard Westbrook made a lasting impression in his first season of Daytona Prototype competition. (Photo: John Dagys)
While being no stranger to sports car competition, Richard Westbrook embarked on his first full season in the Rolex Sports Car Series and passed with flying colors.

The 37-year-old Englishman stepped into the Spirit of Daytona squad for 2012, sharing the team’s Corvette DP with fellow GM driver Antonio Garcia for the majority of the season. Canadian Michael Valiante filled in for Garcia at a handful of races due to the Spaniard’s ALMS conflicts.

While being new to DP racing, it didn’t take long for Westbrook to find success, as the two-time Porsche Supercup champion earned his first Rolex Series pole in only the second round of the season at Barber Motorsports Park.

And just one day later, Westbrook and Garcia gave the Troy Flis-owned squad its long awaited first win in DP competition, and also the first for the new Pratt & Miller-designed Corvette package.

Westbrook went on to score two additional poles (Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Lime Rock) and victories (Mid-Ohio, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca), showcasing his strength at the wheel of the Coyote-chassied machine, along with versatility, sharing wins with two different co-drivers.

Competition was fierce at times, with intra-Corvette team battles along with challenges from the Ganassi, Starworks and Michael Shank squads, but the Westbrook kept his cool and made a lasting impression in his first full season of prototype racing.

That’s why Richard Westbrook has been named SPEED.com’s Rookie of the Year for the 2012 Rolex Sports Car Series season.


With a new co-driver in the fast Ricky Taylor and increased competition, "Westy" will likely be one of prime contenders for the DP championship in 2013, which kicks off at the 51st Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan 26-27.

John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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