He just missed out on winning the inaugural American Le Mans Series, he won the first ever race for Daytona Prototypes at Daytona in 2003 and now David Brabham is set play a part in the next “re-birth” of North American sportscar racing.

The two-time ALMS series champion and former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner will drive for Extreme Speed Motorsports in the opening race of the new TUDOR United SportsCar Championship at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

He is back in the seat alongside former Highcroft Racing teammate Scott Sharp and Ryan Dalziel who will co-drive with Sharp for the entire 2014 season.

“For me personally it has been pretty cool to be a part of the American Le Mans Series for so long and then win the first ever Daytona Prototype race here in 2003,” Brabham said (pictured right at Daytona in the Multimatic Daytona Prototype).

“It was very new and there wasn’t many cars but it was just starting to build momentum.

“Ten years on we have the two series coming together – I wasn’t sure I was going to see this in my lifetime but I’m pleased I have and I am really happy that I am here as part of the new dawn.”

The No.1 ESM HPD has been the quickest ALMS-style prototype entry throughout the Roar before the 24 weekend but Brabham is unsure regarding his chances in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“I haven’t really put on too many expectations on us yet because we still don’t know what kind of rule package we’ll end up with,” Brabham said.

“We can see from the testing that we are there and there abouts but we’re not as fast as the Daytona Prototypes but we didn’t expect to be. They  have a lot more power and are very fast on the straight and there is a lot of full throttle running around here.

“We’re not bad in the corners but I was surprised how quick they were in the corners too so clearly they have a strong package. The people deciding the rules will just have to ensure that we have a fair fight which is not going to be easy. It will take some time for that to settle and get everyone on the right page.”