Freedom Autosport Signs Cooke, Phillips and Galle for 2012 Season

RALEIGH, N.C.—Freedom Autosport announced today that Tyler Cooke, Steve Phillips and Gilbert Galle will be teaming up to drive one of the team’s Mazda MX-5s in the Street Tuner (ST) class of the 2012 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series.

The trio presents a broad range of both experience and age. Phillips has experience in the series’ GS class and Mustang Challenge, Galle is a PCA and NASA veteran, and Cooke has competed in both Spec Miata and the Playboy MX-5 Cup. At just 17 years old, Cooke already has a wealth of experience. His knowledge is complemented by the experience of Galle, 64, and Phillips, 60.

Philips also has military experience, having served as crew chief on a B-52 during Vietnam. “Freedom Autosport takes a lot of pride in supporting the military, so it’s fitting that we have an Air Force veteran driving with us,” says team co-owner Rhett O’Doski. “We’re grateful for Steve’s service to our country and glad that he’s able to enjoy racing with us now.”

Despite their varying backgrounds, the drivers are already well acquainted with each other through their club racing programs.

“I think it’s great that three drivers from such diverse racing backgrounds can come together like this,” says Freedom Autosport Team Manager Tom Long. “They all know each other well and have spent many race weekends together, but always behind the wheel of a different car. Now they will share experiences as teammates and co-drivers.”

Cooke will drive the Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 for the entire 2012 season (except at Watkins Glen, which has an age restriction for drivers). Galle and Phillips will share the other seat, but the longtime friends will team up at Watkins Glen.

The 2012 season will be Cooke’s rookie year in GRAND-AM. He feels that the drivers, team and crew are the perfect combination.

“Steve and Gilbert are the nicest guys; they’ll help you out and do whatever it takes to win. They’ve got so much experience between them,” Cooke says. “(Freedom Autosport co-owners) Derek Whitis and Rhett O’Doski make a weekend fun. Tom and Glenn Long, as well as the rest of the crew, work so hard and run a great operation. The MX-5 is a great car, and I’m looking forward to being a part of this series.”

Galle will also be making his GRAND-AM debut. He was able to make a lot of laps in the Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 during a test at Barber Motorsports Park last week.

“Toward the end of the 2011 season I knew I was ready for the next step. Steve and I started talking, and we knew Tyler was committed,” Galle says. “The MX-5 is a completely different car than my Porsche Cup car! I hadn’t been to Barber in a while and had forgotten how technical it is. But that little MX-5 can really move around the track.”

Phillips was equally happy with the results of the Barber test, saying, “We just kept working toward our goals for the test, and I think we achieved all of them. The car is a blast to drive. It’s really quick and it really rewards someone who’s smooth with the steering inputs. It was a great chance for us to all get together, and Freedom brought us a great car that was ready to go.”

And when the first green flag of the 2012 season flies at Daytona International Raceway, Cooke, Galle and Phillips will be ready to go, too.