Q: How much are you looking forward to joining David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud in the ALMS championship-winning team?
A: “I can’t wait to get started. We’re all going to meet up at the end of January for a seat fitting and for me, it can’t come quick enough.
“It’s great to be joining the championship winning team and linking up not only with last year’s two fastest drivers in in LMP1 in the American Le Mans Series, but also two good friends who will be my teammates. Brabs I’ve known and admired for years, and Simon became a friend almost from the time he came to the ALMS.
“I think together we should make a really good team. There are a lot of guys at Patron Highcroft who I have worked with before in other programs so it really feels like home for me.”
Q: How did the opportunity come about to join Patrón Highcroft Racing for 2010?
A: “I’ve had a great couple of years with Dyson Racing and they had one car confirmed for next year but were still working on the second car. Rob and Chris (Dyson) were very up-front with me and allowed me to go and pursue other opportunities.
“Simon was already locked in as Brabs’ season-long teammate, but now Duncan has given me a fantastic chance to not only contest the long-distance races this year, but also play a role with the team going forward into the future.
“It was something I really couldn’t turn down. I have to thank Dyson Racing for the opportunities they provided me over the past two years and allowing me to show what I could do. That really opened doors for me.”
Q: What will your role be with the team throughout the 2010 season?
A: “I’m very excited about my role with the team because I will not only be doing the long races at Sebring, Laguna Seca and Petit Le Mans, but I will also be attending all the other races.
“My job will be to sit in on all our engineering briefings and hopefully be able to learn and also lean on some of the experience I’ve gained in recent years in order to have a positive input into the development of the car. There are also a lot of test miles planned in preparation for the championship defense so I know I won’t be idle.
“For me, it will also be a great opportunity to learn from Brabs, who has tremendous experience in sportscar racing, and also the outstanding group of guys the team has in every department. I’ll be just as busy as any other season, but with slightly less racing miles in 2010.”
Q: Have you set your sights on other potential opportunities at Patrón Highcroft Racing in the future?
A: “Duncan has made no secret of his desire to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans and also expand the team into a second car, so obviously there are some great opportunities ahead.
“We’ve been friends for a long time and you can’t help but be impressed by what Duncan and his team have accomplished in recent years.
“I think they have become the envy of the pit lane and it is now fantastic to be a part of that program.
“Duncan and I share a lot of the same passions - both in modern and historic racing - so there is a great opportunity for me to grow and expand with the team going forward.”
