Extreme Speed Motorsports’ Johannes “Yo Yo” van Overbeek is celebrating his birthday on race day this year at the Long Beach Grand Prix.

His ESM team surprised him at the autograph session today with a pre-arranged fan dropping a box on the table asking his to autograph it.

Curiosity of course got the better of the Ferrari star, he had to take a look. His ESM team was on hand to break into song to wish him happy birthday when he discovered a birthday cake with imagery of both himself and the car inside.

Teamed with Scott Sharp, van Overbeek is hoping there are some positive omens on his side. His birthday is on the 14th, his room is on the 14th floor of his hotel, we have a beautiful sunny day (finally) and he has his wife and children here at the track – a perfect combination to celebrate the team’s first ALMS victory.

He and Sharp however will face a challenging task. Despite being third fastest before the red flag, today’s grid is set via points and problems for the #01 Ferrari 458 Italia at Sebring means van Overbeek and Sharp will have to battle their way through from 9th on the GT grid.