LM24: Tequila Patrón ESM partners with Rolling Stone for Le Mans debut

The lone American two-car team in the 19-car LMP2 entry will trade its familiar Patrón green for the black, white and red livery of Rolling Stone, the iconic American pop culture magazine that is partnering with the team for the event.Scott Sharp, Ryan Dalziel and David Heinemeier Hansson will co-drive the No. 30 Rolling Stone Ligier JS P2/Honda for the Florida-based team, with the all-American lineup of Ed Brown, Johannes van Overbeek and Jon Fogarty in the No. 31 Rolling Stone-sponsored entry.

The team opened the season by participating in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida – the opening two rounds of the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup – with the lineup of Sharp, Heinemeier Hansson and Dalziel posting top-10 finishes in both events. Tequila Patrón ESM has also competed in the opening three rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship.While the team is making its debut in the French endurance classic, four of the six drivers have competed at Le Mans – with two of them earning class victories.In addition to competing at Le Mans in 2010 and 2013, Dalziel was the 2012 LMP2 winner in the Starworks Motorsport HPD ARX-03b.“Saying I am excited about racing in Le Mans is an understatement,” Dalziel said. “For me, there is no other race that comes close to it. It has not been an easy season for Tequila Patrón ESM, but we had a great first outing at Spa with our new Ligier-Hondas followed by the Le Mans test days, so I feel like we are well prepared. The team has done an outstanding job over the past couple of races and hopefully we can reward each and every one of the Patrón crew members with a podium. I won the race in 2012, so I know what it takes to do it. I’m pumped.”Heinemeier Hansson also has three previous starts in the event, winning the LM GTE-Am class with Aston Martin Racing in 2014, after finishing third in 2012 and second in 2013 in the LMP2 class.“It was a treat to be at the Le Mans test day in LMP2 with the new Ligier,” Heinemeier Hansson said. “The new car is a substantial step forward from when I drove the Morgan there in 2012 and 2013. This week we really need to get hunkered down and show what we’ve got. This is the biggest stage in motorsports and it is time for this team to shine for the entire world to see.”Sharp first turned laps at La Sarthe in 1996 aboard a Riley and Scott Oldsmobile with Wayne Taylor and Jim Pace, who also joined him in winning the 1996 Rolex 24 At Daytona. “It is hard for me to quantify what it means for ESM to finally have the chance to come and challenge at Le Mans,” Sharp said. “The history, track, speed, tradition, atmosphere, 300,000 spectators, millions more viewing from around the world – these are some of the elements that help to create the 24 Hours of Le Mans  as one of the biggest events in the world and it is a privilege to be a part of it.”Unlike the experienced lineup in the No. 30, Van Overbeek is the only driver of the No. 31 Ligier JS P2/Honda that has competed at Le Mans. In four previous GT2 class appearances, van Overbeek finished third, fourth and sixth.“It's great to be back,” said van Overbeek, a 2014 TUDOR Championship overall race winner with Brown at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Le Mans gets under your skin and every driver wants to race here and win. Even though I was last here in 2008, it feels like yesterday. The test threw some challenges at us with the weather; it didn't stay the same in the wet or dry. I was able to log a few laps and felt decent in the car, but more laps would be welcome; such is the case for most people at Le Mans. I’m looking forward to the race and the adventure that it always brings.”Brown, the CEO of Patrón Spirits Company, finished eighth in the 2014 TUDOR Championship Prototype standings. “I’m so excited to finally race at Le Mans,” Brown said. “This is something Tequila Patrón ESM has been looking forward to for many years. Le Mans is the pinnacle of sports car racing – the circuit, history, competition and spectators. We made a change to the livery for Le Mans from Tequila Patrón to Rolling Stone. We’re looking forward to running the Rolling Stone colors this weekend. Tequila Patrón and Rolling Stone have a great relationship and we’re excited to get these Ligiers on track this week.”While both Ligiers have similar liveries, the No. 30 machine features a silver roof and mirrors while the No. 31 will have a red roof and mirrors. Rolling Stone – also making its first appearance at Le Mans – will feature the team in a short film and accompanying story for RollingStone.com and Rolling Stone magazine.“While we would love to carry the Tequila Patrón colors that have become synonymous with ESM and continue to help Patrón’s global growth, it is an honor to welcome Rolling Stone magazine,” Sharp said. “Rolling Stone is such an iconic and classic U.S. brand that fits perfectly with our two U.S. entries in the LMP2 class.”Source: Tequila Patrón ESM