Sports car stalwart David Brabham will return to the wheel of an HPD prototype at this month's Sebring 12 Hours with the Extreme Speed Motorsports squad.
The 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours winner, who raced HPD LMP machinery in 2007-'10 and '12, will drive ESM's lead ARX-03b P2 together with Scott Sharp and Guy Cosmo in the American Le Mans Series opener on March 16. Brabham won two ALMS LMP titles with ESM co-owner Sharp driving for the Highcroft Racing team.
"I've been part of the HPD prototype program from the very beginning, so it is nice to go back," said Brabham. "I have a lot of respect for all the people involved.
"I'm pleased to get the chance to race at least one more time in the ALMS in its last season. The series has been a big part of my career."
Brabham is expecting a close battle between the two ESM HPDs, the pair of identical cars entered by Level 5 and the solo Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan Z11SN.
"It is going to be tough to win," he said. "All the P2s there are going to have a chance to win."
Anthony Lazzaro has been brought in as the third driver for the second ESM car alongside Johannes van Overbeek and team co-owner and sponsor Ed Brown.
ESM, which will run on Michelin tires, has purchased one new HPD ARX-03b and the car raced by Starworks in the World Endurance Championship last year for its ALMS campaign.