ESM Patrón orders a double shot as van Overbeek and Cosmo return for 2013 season

The fourth time will be the charm for Florida-based Extreme Speed Motorsports (ESM) in the 2013 season of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patrón. For the fourth consecutive season, the team’s GT-class Ferrari 458 Italia race cars will be piloted by the fast foursome of Scott Sharp, Ed Brown, Johannes van Overbeek and Guy Cosmo.

ESM team owner and racer Scott Sharp will once again co-drive with northern California racer Johannes van Overbeek in the No. 01 Tequila Patrón Ferrari Italia 458 and Ed Brown will re-team with Guy Cosmo in the sister No. 02 machine.

Fresh off their best ALMS season to date, in 2012 Sharp and van Overbeek earned two wins (Canadian Tire Motorsports Park and Petit Le Mans), two pole positions (Virginia International Raceway and Road Atlanta), and four additional podium finishes (third place at Long Beach, Baltimore, Road America and Virginia International Raceway) en route to a second place finish in the fiercely competitive GT driver standings.

Brown and Cosmo also had a strong season, with one front row start (Mid-Ohio) and five top-10 finishes (Sebring, Long Beach, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Mid-Ohio and Road Atlanta).

Another milestone for the team in 2012 was their ranking third in the ALMS GT class standings, an impressive feat considering ESM is the lone Ferrari team in the GT class,. In the previous two seasons of ALMS competition, ESM finished sixth (2011) and fifth (2010).

The 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón begins in 130 days with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring fueled by Fresh from Florida.

Scott Sharp “It's been so rewarding to watch the Tequila Patrón ESM team get stronger with each season and even each race. The continuity in our team has been the key to all of the success we’ve seen on all fronts and all positions.

"I’m so excited to announce that all four drivers have been re-signed and ESM will be returning for our fourth year. The atmosphere, communication and cooperation between the four of us is unprecedented and has proven to be a huge strength for ESM!

"ESM is blessed with quite a combination of drivers. Ed has progressed at a meteoric rate and came on so strong at the end of this season, while Guy has showed tremendous speed throughout this year and has played a critical role in coaching Ed to this level. Johannes, of course is so solid - super fast, smart, and very professional. We are excited to start the next ALMS season and can’t wait to get back to the season opening race at Sebring.”

Johannes van Overbeek “It's hard to imagine that we're going into the fourth year as an unchanged driving team. Under Scott’s leadership, ESM has pushed hard from the start and of course, none of our success would've been possible without the enthusiastic support of Ed Brown and Tequila Patrón.

“All of the hard work began to pay dividends this year with six podiums and two wins in a field ultra-competitive teams and drivers. Although I’m satisfied with finishing second in the driver championship, I'm not happy with second.

“I'm really looking forward to continuing the hard work in 2013 that we started back in 2010. The ESM-prepared Ferrari 458 on Michelin tires have been a joy to drive and I know next year they will be even better.

“In 2012 I celebrated my 100th ALMS start and I’m thrilled that many of those races were with ESM. This team is one of the best groups of guys that I've ever worked with in racing. They are a “team” in the true sense of the word.”

Ed Brown “I’m thrilled that the four of us will team up again for the 2013 season!

“I’m so proud of the entire ESM Patrón team, we’ve all come so far these past three seasons. We have the absolute best team in racing!

“I'm looking forward to teaming with Guy again because he is such an amazing driver. He proved this year that he is one of the fastest Guy's on four wheels, and one hell of a driver coach.

“I hope that 2013 will be the start of a lot of great finishes for us.”

Guy Cosmo “I’m thrilled to be back with ESM for 2013. Next season will mark my fourth year with the team, and it's been a very enjoyable and exciting three years thus far.

“Being with a team like this since its inception is really special, because not only have I seen it grow into a front-running, first-class operation, but I've helped play a role in it as well. We’ve got world class partners in Ferrari, Michelotto, Ferrari Corse Cliente, Michelin Tires and arguably the most supportive and influential sponsor in North American motorsports - Tequila Patrón and the Patrón Spirits Company.

“As well, ESM is comprised of an elite staff. Each and every person on this team is extremely talented and incredibly fun to work with. In my opinion this is a rare and special combination and I'm honored to be a part of it.

"We’ve more than shown our speed and strength this season, as a whole and as individual efforts with the No. 01 and No. 02 Tequila Patrón Ferraris. Ed and I have come really close to some great finishes this season, though luck just never fell our way. Ed has made tremendous strides behind the wheel and has been very dedicated to this program and his development as a driver.

“2013 will be a season where he and I realize the success we've come so close to capturing this year. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Extreme Speed Motorsports