Ryan Briscoe
An Australian driver who conquered the 24 Hours of Daytona and became a trusted endurance racing specialist for top teams.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Australian racecar driver·Birthday: September 24·Millennials
Biography
Ryan Briscoe won the Rolex 24 at Daytona overall and added victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring in sports car racing. Born in Sydney in 1981, he rose through European open-wheel ranks as a teenager, landing a Formula One test role with Toyota. His true calling came in America. In the IndyCar Series, he secured multiple wins for Team Penske on ovals and street circuits. He later transitioned to endurance events, playing a pivotal role in championship-winning campaigns for Chevrolet and Cadillac.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ryan was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ryan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ryan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona overall in 2012 driving for Starworks Motorsport.
- Secured multiple race victories in the IndyCar Series as a driver for the powerhouse Team Penske.
- Earned back-to-back IMSA SportsCar Championship titles in 2015 and 2016 with the Corvette Racing team.
- Finished third overall in the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans driving for the factory Corvette squad.
Did You Know?
He holds dual Australian and American citizenship.
Briscoe was a member of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC).
He survived a horrific crash at the Chicagoland Speedway in 2005, walking away from a car that split in half.
“In racing, a thousandth of a second is a lifetime.”
