Brabham Voted Double Fans Most Popular ALMS Driver

Scott Sharp (L) and David Brabham (R) at the ALMS Awards Banquet

David Brabham scooped no fewer than two Most Popular Driver Awards at the American Le Mans Series Awards Banquet in Monterey, California, on Sunday 19 October following the final round of the season at Laguna Seca. The charismatic sports car veteran and double Le Mans 24 Hour GT1 class winner was confirmed as the fans favorite ALMS driver worldwide, by capturing both the ALMS and Motors TV Most Popular Driver Awards, while Brabham also collected his second-place LMP2 championship trophy alongside teammate Scott Sharp.

“There are so many great drivers in this series that it is a privilege to have won these awards and obviously my heartfelt thanks go out to all of the fans that voted for me," said Brabs. “It’s been an incredible season for me personally, not only with the level of success I’ve enjoyed in the American Le Mans Series but also winning the GT1 class in the Le Mans 24 Hour for the second consecutive year. I am immensely proud to have received both awards here tonight."

The 43 year-old has certainly kept the crowds entertained with his blistering form and characteristic charges to the checkered flag, producing thrilling race conclusions. The British-born Australian made series history earlier this year at Long Beach with an awesome move to pass Penske’s Romain Dumas with three minutes to go to take the LMP2 win and secure victory in his fourth different ALMS class. His first overall series victory since Washington in 2002 came at Lime Rock where he qualified with his first outright pole position of the year and passed Timo Bernhard for the lead, again with just three minutes remaining, with a blinding move into turn one. The historic race win was the first for Patr¢n Highcroft Racing and the first outright ALMS race victory for Acura.

The multi race winning partnership of Brabham with teammate Scott Sharp captured second in the LMP2 championship with four class wins, including one outright victory, three overall pole positions and seven podium finishes. With that kind of track record it’s not surprising that Brabham remains the only driver in ALMS history to boast pole position and race wins in all four categories.

Brabham continued: “It’s been a great evening, not just for me but for the team too with Scott [Sharp] taking the Top Rookie Award. Every time the team was mentioned there was a big cheer from a lot of people in the room. To have that level of respect and good thoughts towards the team is something really special. Duncan [Dayton] has put together a great team at Patr¢n Highcroft and I am looking forward to achieving some amazing things with them in 2009. It’s awesome to be a part of the team and I hope that we can enjoy a long and successful future together."

As the 10th season of the American Le Mans Series comes to a close, its fans have been honoring the competitors who have made the first decade unforgettable. With 81 ALMS starts, 16 victories and nine pole positions, Brabham was also selected as one of the top ten Drivers of the Decade.