![“ESM has done a great job in a short period of time they have been around, as last year’s success in the GT category proved," Brabham stated.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/51/2b/1362340360_8847_000.jpg?itok=0YNovVoT "“ESM has done a great job in a short period of time they have been around, as last year’s success in the GT category proved," Brabham stated.")
Extreme Speed Motorsports (ESM) approaches the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patrón season with an arsenal of new elements – cars, liveries and driver lineup.
In mid-February, ESM announced it will campaign two purpose-built Honda Performance Development (HPD) ARX-03b prototypes beginning with the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida in March.
Now ESM, in accordance with IMSA driver classification rules, had made a driver lineup change for the season.
ESM driver/owner Scott Sharp remains behind the wheel of the No. 01 Tequila Patrón HPD ARX-03b and will share driving duties with Guy Cosmo, a 2005 ALMS P2 race-winner in a Mazda-powered prototype. Johannes van Overbeek, who celebrated his 100th ALMS start in 2012, joins Ed Brown in the No. 02 Tequila Patrón HPD ARX-03b.
David Brabham and Anthony Lazzaro have been added to ESM’s driver roster for the Sebring race in mid-March.
ALMS and 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Brabham joins Sharp and Cosmo aboard the No. 01 machine. Brabham re-teams with Sharp and Tequila Patrón for the first time since the 2009 ALMS P1 championship season where they finished fifth during the Sebring event.
“I am really excited to be joining Extreme Speed Motorsports, Tequila Patrón and my old teammate Scott Sharp," stated Brabham. "Patrón, Scott and I were the most successful Honda/HPD combination in the American Le Mans Series and it is great to be back with old friends.
Lazzaro, the 1999 24 Hours of Daytona winner, teams with van Overbeek and Brown in the No. 02 sister car. Lazzaro competed with ESM at Sebring International Raceway and Road Atlanta last season where the No. 02 Ferrari F458 Italia finished ninth in both races. The last time Lazzaro competed in a P2-style race car was in 2002 where he won the 24 Hours of Daytona piloting the SRP2, a sports racing prototype.
“To go from GT to P2 is a big change for the team and very cool to see Scott and Tequila Patrón back in prototypes, back to their roots in ALMS racing," Lazarro added. "I’m happy to be part of it. I really love the team. They’ve made me feel welcome since day one. I consider those guys a lot of close friends now."
The 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón begins with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida on Mar. 11-16. Qualifying takes place on Friday, Mar. 15, at 2:20 p.m. Green flag for the 12 Hours of Sebring is at 10:45 a.m. ET on Saturday, Mar. 16.
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