Extreme Speed Motorsports  Expands To Rolex GT

American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n challengers Extreme Speed Motorsports will supplement its 2012 ALMS GT schedule with the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series "North American Endurance Championship," 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 Patr¢n for 2012.

The addition of the GRAND-AM 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," said Scott Sharp. "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 Patr¢n, 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 Patr¢n. I'm excited to get a chance to compete in this series, and at the Rolex 24–it's such a classic race."