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Le Mans / ALMS
EXCLUSIVE! ALMS: ESM To Field HPDs, P2 Class Revived
SPEED.com EXCLUSIVE: Scott Sharp-owned team helps revive P2 category, confirms two HPD ARX-03b prototypes for 2013...
Scott Sharp will be returning to the wheel of a Patron-sponsored HPD prototype this year, following his team's shock move to P2. (Photo: ALMS)
The P2 class in the American Le Mans Series is set to receive a massive and much-needed boost, as SPEED.com has learned that Extreme Speed Motorsports will make a shock move to the cost-capped prototype ranks this year.
Following three seasons running Ferraris in the GT category, the Scott Sharp-owned squad has reversed its decision to continue in the production-based ranks for 2013 and has instead finalized plans for a two-car HPD ARX-03b program.
READ: ESM Looking To The Future
“I’m very proud that ESM will move to the P2 class, effective immediately," said Sharp, the 2009 ALMS P1 class champion. “We enjoyed our three-year run in the GT class with Ferrari. If the GT class is a strong factory-supported class and you are not a full manufacturer entry, everything falls on the shoulders of the team.
"As a result, the independent teams are at a serious disadvantage compared to their factory-supported counterparts.
“Moving to P2 is a new chapter for us at ESM and a homecoming for Tequila Patrón. We feel we have a terrific opportunity to learn and develop the P2 car this year, and that will put us in an ideal position going into the merged season of 2014."
The first car, purchased from reigning FIA WEC LMP2 champion Enzo Potolicchio, turned laps Wednesday at Sebring International Raceway, in preparation for a planned debut in next month’s ALMS season opener.
It’s believed ESM has ordered a brand-new second chassis that is scheduled to be delivered in time for the first round of the season on March 16.
All four of its current pilots: Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek, Guy Cosmo and Ed Brown will continue with the re-focused effort.
Both Patrón Spirits CEO Brown and Cosmo, a former ALMS Rookie of the Year, are Silver-rated drivers, which would satisfy the category’s Pro-Am enforcement of at least one Bronze/Silver driver per car.
It’s unclear the status of ESM’s entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the Florida-based team had entered a Ferrari in the GTE-Am category. Sharp, however, said they will continue their relationship with Ferrari in the GRAND-AM GT class and Ferrari Challenge.
ESM had just completed a test at Sebring last week with its two Ferrari F458 Italias, upgraded to 2013-spec, making the late move to P2 even more surprising.
The team's switch to the prototype ranks comes at an opportune time for the ALMS, which will merge with GRAND-AM to form a unified sports car championship in 2014. P2 cars will be eligible to compete next year in the top prototype class, alongside Daytona Prototypes.
The two-car ESM effort becomes the first full-season entrants in P2 for this year, with others potentially soon to follow.
Two-time class champions Level 5 Motorsports, which withdrew its planned effort this year due to lack of entries, is now prepared to re-evaluate its situation, according to team manager David Stone.
If Level 5 re-commits, it could result in a four-car HPD ARX-03b battle for this year’s P2 championship. Additional entries, including the already confirmed Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN Nissan and potentially two others from Europe, could be on the grid for Sebring.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Following three seasons running Ferraris in the GT category, the Scott Sharp-owned squad has reversed its decision to continue in the production-based ranks for 2013 and has instead finalized plans for a two-car HPD ARX-03b program.
READ: ESM Looking To The Future
“I’m very proud that ESM will move to the P2 class, effective immediately," said Sharp, the 2009 ALMS P1 class champion. “We enjoyed our three-year run in the GT class with Ferrari. If the GT class is a strong factory-supported class and you are not a full manufacturer entry, everything falls on the shoulders of the team.
"As a result, the independent teams are at a serious disadvantage compared to their factory-supported counterparts.
“Moving to P2 is a new chapter for us at ESM and a homecoming for Tequila Patrón. We feel we have a terrific opportunity to learn and develop the P2 car this year, and that will put us in an ideal position going into the merged season of 2014."
The first car, purchased from reigning FIA WEC LMP2 champion Enzo Potolicchio, turned laps Wednesday at Sebring International Raceway, in preparation for a planned debut in next month’s ALMS season opener.
It’s believed ESM has ordered a brand-new second chassis that is scheduled to be delivered in time for the first round of the season on March 16.
All four of its current pilots: Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek, Guy Cosmo and Ed Brown will continue with the re-focused effort.
Both Patrón Spirits CEO Brown and Cosmo, a former ALMS Rookie of the Year, are Silver-rated drivers, which would satisfy the category’s Pro-Am enforcement of at least one Bronze/Silver driver per car.
It’s unclear the status of ESM’s entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the Florida-based team had entered a Ferrari in the GTE-Am category. Sharp, however, said they will continue their relationship with Ferrari in the GRAND-AM GT class and Ferrari Challenge.
ESM had just completed a test at Sebring last week with its two Ferrari F458 Italias, upgraded to 2013-spec, making the late move to P2 even more surprising.
The team's switch to the prototype ranks comes at an opportune time for the ALMS, which will merge with GRAND-AM to form a unified sports car championship in 2014. P2 cars will be eligible to compete next year in the top prototype class, alongside Daytona Prototypes.
The two-car ESM effort becomes the first full-season entrants in P2 for this year, with others potentially soon to follow.
Two-time class champions Level 5 Motorsports, which withdrew its planned effort this year due to lack of entries, is now prepared to re-evaluate its situation, according to team manager David Stone.
If Level 5 re-commits, it could result in a four-car HPD ARX-03b battle for this year’s P2 championship. Additional entries, including the already confirmed Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN Nissan and potentially two others from Europe, could be on the grid for Sebring.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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