Rob Dyson/Drake Olson/Price Cobb (Porsche 962) at Daytona in 1986. (LAT)

Happy Birthday to sports car racer, businessman and philanthropist Rob Dyson, who turns 66 today. 

Dyson began competing in amateur SCCA competition in 1974 and began racing professionally in IMSA GTO and the Trans-Am Series in 1982. In 1985 be purchased a Porsche 962 from Bruce Leven and began racing in IMSA's  Camel GT Series – forerunner of today's American Le Mans Series – and his Dyson Racing squad soon established itself as one of America's premier sports car racing squads, with 67 race victories. These include a pair of victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1997 and '99, and 19 series championships to date, including last year's American Le Mans Series' LMP1 Driver's and Team's Championships.

Dyson retired from racing in 2007, but his son Chris Dyson now drives for Dyson Racing in the ALMS and claimed last year's Driver's crown. He also oversees the team's day-to-day operations.