Tequila Patron Enhances Series Partnership, Returns As Long Beach Title Sponsorship

Braselton, April 1, 2009: Tequila Patrón will return as the title sponsor of the Long Beach round, where Patrón Highcroft Racing's David Brabham and Scott Sharp won in LMP2 last season. Tequila Patrón will return as title sponsor for Round Three of the 2009 American Le Mans Series at Long Beach, Calif. In addition, the Series announced Tequila Patrón as the exclusive “Official Spirit of the American Le Mans Series”. For the second year in a row, the April 18 event will be named The Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach.

“Welcoming Tequila Patrón back as the title sponsor of our Long Beach round for the second straight year marks a significant reunion, one that proved last year to be a very successful collaboration,” said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. “Tequila Patrón has become a benchmark example of a marketing partner that aggressively activates its involvement on and off the track. Southern California is arguably the most important market for all of the American Le Mans Series’ stakeholders, and Tequila Patrón’s investment at Long Beach will enable all involved to benefit from the unparalleled atmosphere and major market impact associated with this world-class event.”

The Patrón Spirits Company, known for the finest top-quality spirits, including its signature Patrón tequila line, proudly fosters its identity as an innovative leader and a world-class brand. Synonymous with that of the American Le Mans Series and its host city, Tequila Patrón further enhances the prominence and premier value esteemed by the spectators and corporate partners attending the racing event.

“Tequila Patrón became involved with the Grand Prix of Long Beach to establish a stronger relationship with the one of North America’s most diverse and affluent markets,” said Ed Brown, President and CEO of the Patrón Spirits Company. “The consumers that support Tequila Patrón and the spectators that attend the American Le Mans Series at Long Beach are one in the same.”

Patrón Highcroft Racing and Acura have moved to P1 for 2009. Tequila Patrón is continuing its prominent activation program with the American Le Mans Series in 2009. It will bring back Club Patrón to all Series events, providing a high-end stop for social entertainment on event weekends. Tequila Patrón is the primary sponsor for Acura’s Patrón Highcroft Racing that claimed its first Series victory in LMP2 last year at Long Beach. It went on to win three additional times in class including an overall win at Lime Rock Park.

For 2009, Patrón Highcroft Racing has transitioned from the LMP2 class to LMP1 in an ARX-02a and returns with drivers David Brabham and Scott Sharp. Dario Franchitti joined them at the recent 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.

The Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg is the second round of the 2009 American Le Mans Series. The green flag is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 4 from the St. Petersburg street circuit. ABC Sports will televise the race live beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET Live Timing & Scoring and American Le Mans Radio can be found at the new americanlemans.com. Satellite radio subscribers can hear the race live from 1 to 3:30 p.m. ET on XM Channel 244 and Sirius Channel 126.

The race also will mark the first street race for the MICHELIN® Green X® Challenge. For tickets, visit americanlemans.com or gpstpete.com.