Photo by: Mike Geng
EXTREME SPEED MOTORSPORTS SUCCESSFUL IN TWO-DAY ALMS WINTER TEST
SEBRING, FL, Thursday, February 9: The Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari 458 Italias exceeded expectations with two solid test days at Sebring International Raceway this week.
The two-day test at Sebring International Raceway was the kick-off event to the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The Extreme Speed Motorsports team leveraged every minute of track time in order to ensure the black and green Ferraris were primed and ready to go for the 60th Annual Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida on March 14-17.
On Wednesday, the Tequila Patrón Ferrari’s topped the charts with a 1-2 ranking. Then on Thursday, the teams used the two practice sessions to test new parts and tune to the race cars, which resulted in continuously improving lap times.
Sitting in the second spot in both practice sessions, Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek, co-drivers of the No. 01 Tequila Patrón Ferrari 458 Italia GT, lapped the 3.74-mile road course with a best lap time of 2:00.598 (110.450 mph).
The No. 02 Tequila Patrón Ferrari 458 Italia GT driven by Ed Brown and Guy Cosmo posted the eighth quickest time of the final session with a lap time of 2:01.289 (109.820 mph).
ESM’s test session was successful as a result of its busy off-season which included research, development, and new elements and support from Ferrari and Michelotto.
Now that the test is complete, the team returns the Extreme Speed Motorsports headquarters in Stuart, Fla., to evaluate data obtained over the last two days. In addition to reviewing the information from the test, the team will implement plans and strategies for one final private test session before the start of the racing season next month.
Scott Sharp
“We’ve had a great couple days here in Sebring. ESM has been working hard all winter to get us ready for this week’s test and the season ahead.”
“Once we left Petit, we wanted to know what we could do to get better, faster and upgrade everything. The team has worked really hard to make sure we were heading in that direction.”
“We still have a long way to go, but to come to this first test and be as competitive as we are, and substantially quicker than we were at the same test last year, that’s really what’s critical. This is a real shot in the arm for everyone and is a good start to the season.”
Johannes van Overbeek
“Scott and I were on top of the charts yesterday and we made some good lap times today. We like the same thing in the car, and that makes it a lot easier. We are making progress.”
“We tried some things on the 01 car, some of it we liked and other things we didn’t, but that’s why we’re here. We’re here to figure out a trend and a direction for the car.”
Ed Brown
“The Sebring test was very productive for the team. We were P1 and P2 after Wednesday, so we used Thursday as a day to test other elements of the race car. Our laps improved and we were able to accomplish just about everything we planned to do this week.”
“Now that the test is over, the crew heads back to the shop, review the information from the test and set our plan for the race and the season.
“This is a good start to our 2012 race season and I’m looking forward to coming back to Sebring next month for race and this entire ALMS season.”
Guy Cosmo
“We finished up really strong. We came to Sebring with a plan and we were able execute everything on the run plan. Not only did we accomplish all that stuff and learn something, but the cars were quick.
“Of course, coming back here for race week is a different story, everybody might have a little something up their sleeve but we’re feeling really confident about where we are to start the season.”
“We are going to do one more test before the week of the 12 hour and I think we’re going to be a really good shape this season. This is the third year for the team, everything is really jelling very well and this is a very good place for us right now.”
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