Brabham, van Overbeek qualified ESM's new P2 HPDs at Sebring

SEBRING, Fla., Friday, March 15, 2013 – Extreme Speed Motorsports (ESM) continues its 2013 season with another first – qualifying the new Tequila Patrón-sponsored Honda Performance Development (HPD) ARX-03b racing machines.

#01 Extreme Speed Motorsports HPD ARX-03b: Scott Sharp, Guy Cosmo, David Brabham

Photo by: Darren Pierson

David Brabham was tasked with the qualifying duties for the No. 01 Tequila Patrón HPD ARX-03b on Friday afternoon. Brabham lapped the 17-turn track with a best time of 1:52.703, putting the put the No. 01 machine fourth in class (10th overall when factoring in the faster P1 class).

Brabham will drive the first stint in the No. 01 prototype, followed by ESM owner/driver Scott Sharp and then Guy Cosmo.

Johannes van Overbeek qualified the No. 02 Tequila Patrón HPD ARX-03b in the fifth position (11th overall when factoring in the faster P1 class). In his first-time effort qualifying the P2 car, van Overbeek lapped the 3.74-mile with a best time of 1:53.07.

Anthony Lazzaro will take the green flag in the No. 02 machine during tomorrow’s race. Ed Brown will drive the second stint and then van Overbeek will take to the wheel.

The 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón begins with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida on March 11-16. Green flag for the 12 Hours of Sebring is 10:45 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 16. SPEED's live coverage begins at 10:30 a.m. ET.

David Brabham
“We keep making improvements and that’s great. To be fair, we’ve really only had two sessions this week where we’ve been able to figure something out with the car. We’re still really early in this P2 process.

“We’re working on finding more pace, but I’m pleased with the progress I’ve seen this week. We’ll try a few things during the race to keep developing the car so the guys can understand it better for the next race.

“We will run our own pace during tomorrow’s race. The track can change and come your way. We’ll make some changes overnight, not drastic changes, but it will be good information for us.”

Johannes van Overbeek
“Normally, I’m never satisfied qualifying fifth, but I am today. I don’t have a lot amount of laps in the car and to qualify three-tenths behind David Brabham, who has been in Formula 1 and is a Le Mans race-winner in prototype, is still pretty good. To be racing that close, time-wise, in the sister car my first time out, I’m actually quite satisfied with our pace. We still have a lot to learn with the car. I’m anxious to get some good seat time tomorrow and learn about it even more.

“I’m getting more comfortable in the car. I’m learning what it likes and doesn’t like. Now that I’m more dialed into the car and the nuances, I can be more helpful in providing the team feedback on setup and changes.

“I feel privileged that ESM and Patrón gave me the opportunity to drive such an impressive machine. This is a long race and anything can happen. I’m really looking forward to see what we can do tomorrow.”

Extreme Speed Motorsports