Road Atlanta: Extreme Speed Motorsports race report

EXTREME SPEED MOTORSPORTS CAPS INAGURAL YEAR WITH INCREDIBLE TEAM-BEST FINISH AT PETIT LE MANS
01 Ferrari Earns Podium Position for 2nd Place Finish

Braselton, GA /// October 2, 2010 /// Petit Le Mans, the cornerstone event of the American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patrón, again lived up to its well-earned reputation today, delivering a thrilling 9-hour, 12-minute competition at the scenic 2.54- mile, 12-turn Road Atlanta course, in front of a record-setting crowd.

For Extreme Speed Motorsports, the final race of the 2010 season supplied an incredible, last-second 2nd place GT2 class finish for the No.01 Ferrari F430 GT the teams best this year. In all, todays competition was a terrific culmination of the teams first year, and evidence of the hard work and determination of Extreme Speed Motorsports drivers, engineers, crew, and fans.

"Everybody so badly wanted this, and I really cant think of a better way to end the season than with a humongous win like this," commented team owner and driver Scott Sharp, clearly elated as co-driver Dominik Farnbacher crossed the finish line in the 01 Ferrari. "Im ready for a Patrón!"

"A podium here at Road Atlanta is testament to how much the team has grown and developed all year," added 01 driver Johannes van Overbeek.

And extending his congratulations to the team, American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patrón CEO Scott Atherton said tonight "Im so proud of how this team has grown and evolved. As a start-up to compete for the win in this very competitive class is truly phenomenal."

In total, the 01 car team brought home three top-5 finishes this season (at Laguna Seca, Mid- Ohio, and here at Road Atlanta). The 02 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari, piloted by Ed Brown, Guy Cosmo, and Joao Barbosa, finished in 11th position today in the GT2 class, and posted their season-best top-five finish at Wisconsins Road America in August.

"It was a wonderful weekend, and a great season for the team, we executed on everything we learned all year long and had a great race," said Cosmo. "It wasnt our best day today for the 02 car, but we had a top-3 qualify and we were quick on the pace all day. Were definitely in the mix with the big boys, and looking forward to a great year next year!"

Added Brown: "For a start-up team, we had a fantastic year! Looking back, we really overachieved our expectations, and Im very happy for everyone on the team. And of course, hats-off to our friends at Patrón Highcroft for their back-to-back series championship they secured tonight. I couldnt be more proud of both of these excellent teams!"

The 13th annual running of Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA2 was the 9th and final round race this year in the American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patrón. With 42 cars starting in the race, in seven classes, this years Petit Le Mans was the largest field for any Series race in more than seven years.

The Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferraris ran on cellulosic E85R biofuel. The switch to alternative fuels not only helped the performance of the cars, its also in line with the American Le Mans Series global leadership of Green Racing.

The American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patrón will return in March for the 2011 season. The first race, the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, takes place in Sebring, FL on Saturday, March 19, 2011.

-source: esm