Photo by: Eric Gilbert
EXTREME SPEED MOTORSPORTS EXPANDS 2012 CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE THE PRESTIGIOUS ROLEX 24 HOURS OF DAYTONA
Stuart, FL, November 17, 2011- American Le Mans Series - Presented by Tequila Patrón challengers Extreme Speed Motorsports will supplement its 2012 ALMS GT schedule with the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car seriesTriple Crown which includes the prestigious, 50th Anniversary running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.
The team's Ferrari F458 Italia will be piloted around the 3.56 mile historic road course at Daytona International Speedway by team regulars, with specific driver lineups to be announced at a later date. The Extreme Team will once again feature the black and green livery of Tequila Patrón for 2012.
The addition of the Grand Am series Triple Crown events gives ESM the opportunity to also compete at the Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen, and the inaugural three hour race at the world-renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway--which expands their current foothold in sports car racing.
The Grand American Road Racing Association was founded in 1999 and sanctions six unique series, including the premier Rolex Sports Car series. Featuring both prototype and grand touring classes, Grand-Am has cemented its place in the American motorsports scene.
The Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona began as a 3 hour endurance race on the Daytona International Speedway road course in 1962 and evolved into a twice-around-the-clock sports car classic. The 24 hour format, adopted in 1966, has become a feature of Daytona Speedweeks and marks the beginning of the American motorsports calendar.
Ferrari's last win at Daytona was in 1998 and team owner/driver Scott Sharp is looking forward to returning to Daytona in 2012 with the Italia 458 powerhouse to blaze their own trail on such an auspicious anniversary.
"I'm excited for ESM to take the next step and compete in the Rolex 24 and the Triple Crown. I've won the 24 and finished second there twice and it's absolutely one of my favorites. Guy Cosmo and Johannes van Overbeek have both had great success there as well, and Ed Brown ran quite fast at a recent test. So, I am excited to bring Patrón, Ferrari and our entire program to this unique and challenging event."
Brown, who has driven for ESM since its inception, is equally excited.
"I got a chance to test at Daytona recently and it was a blast! The 24 hours of Daytona is one of the most prestigious events in the world and I think the Triple Crown will be an important part of our 2012 platform for both ESM and Patrón. I'm excited to get a chance to compete in this series, and at the Rolex 24--it's such a classic race."
Extreme Speed Motorsports is sponsored by Tequila Patrón, along with support from Ferrari Corse Clienti and the team's official tire technical partner Michelin.
Patrón, a longtime supporter of motorsports racing, is also the presenting sponsor of the full American Le Mans Series.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Road America IMSA: Jarvis tops incident-packed first practice
ESM “working on a number of scenarios” to replace Patron
Senna: “Our drive-through was not deserved. They took our race”
Petit Le Mans: Derani takes pole in thrilling qualifying session
Nato replaces Giovinazzi at ESM for Petit Le Mans
Laguna Seca IMSA: Victory for ESM Nissan, heartbreak for Mazda
MotoGP Spanish GP: Bagnaia on record pace in second practice
F1 chief Domenicali eyes more sprint weekends
IndyCar Barber: Start times, how to watch on TV, entry list & more
Jaguar commits to Formula E until 2030
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments