Determined for Repeat Win, Tequila Patrón ESM Returns to Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (January 23, 2018) — This week, Tequila Patrón ESM will return to Daytona International Speedway in hopes of again clinching the overall victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The 2016 Rolex race winners bring with them strong momentum, as they ready to officially begin the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship. In addition to closing out the 2017 season with the victory at Petit Le Mans, the team also clinched the victory two races earlier at Road America.

This time last year, the team just took delivery of the pair of brand new Nissan Onroak DPis, leaving the team a limited about of time to test the cars before the race began. The team worked tirelessly on the developmental program all season long, making strides race by race as the prototype machines climbed their way up the charts.

This season, the team brings a year of knowledge, data, and experience to the Rolex 24, the longest race on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar. With full time drivers Scott Sharp and Ryan Dalziel in the No. 2 Nissan Onroak DPi, and Johannes van Overbeek and Pipo Derani in the No. 22 car, Tequila Patrón ESM is currently the only prototype team in the field to return with the same full time driver lineups from last season. Frenchmen Olivier Pla and Nicolas Lapierre will join the duos in the No. 2 and No. 22 respectively.

Earlier this month, the team took the cars on track at Daytona’s Roar Before the 24, allowing the team to test for eight hours over the course of three days. The test allowed the team to revisit the data from the year before, improving to dial in on the best set up configurations for the endurance event. Ironing out the typical pre-season kinks, the Florida-based team made the most of the test, spending every session on track in preparation for the longest race of the year.

Beginning Saturday, January 27, the Rolex 24 at Daytona will feature 24 straight hours of racing, challenging teams to find the best set ups for warm and cool conditions, often preparing for dry and wet conditions as well. The event is a test not only of speed, but endurance for drivers, cars, cars crews. For ticket information for the 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona, visit imsa.com.