The 2024 running of Petit Le Mans was Richard Westbrook’s final race, and after such a long stint behind the wheel, it’s only right that DSC recognises his contribution to the sport since he burst onto the scene in Porsche Cup racing 20 years ago.
The Chelmsford-born racer’s journeyman career in the GT and sportscar racing – which began in earnest in 2002 after a six-year break from racing when he tried his hand in one-make Porsche racing – was packed with standout performances and results.
After winning the 2004 Porsche Carerra Cup GB title with Redline Racing off the back of a seven-win season, he moved to Supercup, and shone, winning the title in back-to-back years in 2006-07. It ultimately led him down a path to endurance racing.
Over the course of almost two decades, he would compete in the American Le Mans Series, FIA GT, Rolex Sports Car Series, FIA GT1 World Championship, Blancpain Endurance Series, IMSA Weathertech, British GT, FIA WEC and of course, the Le Mans 24 Hours, driving a wide variety of GTs and prototypes for multiple factories.
His roll of honour includes an FIA GT2 class title with Prospeed in 2009, a class win at the Sebring 12 Hours in 2013 with Corvette Racing, a Rolex 24 class win with Ford Chip Ganassi Racing in 2018, three consecutive Six Hours of The Glen wins between 2014 and 2016, plus two class podiums and three overall podiums at Le Mans.
During that time he enjoyed stints as a factory driver for Porsche, Corvette, Ford, Cadillac, Aston Martin and Glickenhaus.
A hard competitor behind the wheel and a gentleman off-track, Westbrook’s attitude to racing proved to be an asset for so many ambitious teams and factories, in a similar fashion to the seemingly ageless Manu Collard.
Right up until the end of the 2023 FIA WEC season, at age 48, he was still competing at the highest level of the sport, as a factory driver, in the FIA WEC with Cadillac Racing. There aren’t many drivers over the years who have enjoyed such staying power.
As he moves on to focus on family and building up his brewery – Westbrook’s Brewery, which produces racing-themed craft beers! – alongside a continuing off-track role with JDC Miller, it’s time to bid him farewell and congratulate him on a wonderful career.
“I’ve raced in four decades which has been an incredible career and crazy when I think about it,” he said in his retirement announcement. “I’ve worked with the best organisations in the world and I’m so grateful to all the wonderful people I have had the privilege to be in a team with.
“I’ve had the best teammates to share a car with which has given me so many fantastic memories that I will keep for life. I’ll miss you all.”
Richard Westbrook’s key cars and highlights
2004 – Porsche Carerra Cup GB – Redline Racing – Champion
2006 – Porsche Supercup – Morellato Racing Team PZ Essen – Champion
2007 – Porsche Supercup – HISAQ Competition – Champion
2009 – FIA GT Championship – Prospeed Competition – GT2 Champion
2010 – Le Mans 24 Hours – BMS Scuderia Italia – 3rd in GT2 on debut
2011 – FIA GT1 World Championship – JRM Racing – 1 Race Win
2013 – American Le Mans Series – Corvette Racing – Sebring 12 Hours GT1 winner
2014 – IMSA SportsCar Championship – Spirit of Daytona – Six Hours of The Glen Overall Winner
2015 – IMSA SportsCar Championship – VisitFlorida.com Racing – Six Hours of The Glen Overall Winner
2016 – IMSA SportsCar Championship – Ford Chip Ganassi Racing – Laguna Seca – First win globally for the Ford GT
2016 – IMSA SportsCar Championship – Ford Chip Ganassi Racing – Six Hours of The Glen
2018 – IMSA SportsCar Championship – Ford Chip Ganassi Racing – 1st Rolex 24 Hours GTLM
2022 – IMSA Sportscar Championship – JDC Miller Motorsports – 2nd Overall, 12 Hours of Sebring
2022 – Le Mans 24 Hours – Glickenhaus Racing – Third overall
2023 – Le Mans 24 Hours – Cadillac Racing – Third overall
2024 – IMSA SportsCar Championship – JDC Miller Motorsports – Battle on the Bricks – Third overall, final career podium
