In a major announcement Patrón Spirits announced its decision to step back completely from its investment in motorsports at the end of the 2018 season. This decision will have a major impact on IMSA with it’s Tequila Patrón sponsorship. It will also have a major impact on other forms of motorsports.
The following is a statement from IMSA President Scott Atherton in response to that announcement:
“IMSA and Patrón Spirits have enjoyed a fantastic partnership for more than a decade. Tequila Patrón rose through the IMSA ranks, from a high-profile team sponsor with Patrón Highcroft Racing. Beginning in 2008, through its entitlement sponsorship of the Patrón GT3 Challenge in 2009. Then its presenting sponsorship of the American Le Mans Series in 2010.
“Tequila Patrón continued in a prominent position as the American Le Mans Series merged with GRAND-AM to create the new IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and has been our entitlement partner for the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup since 2014 in addition to its longstanding support of the Tequila Patrón ESM race team and its pair of Nissan DPi race cars.
“Everyone associated with IMSA, the competitors, promoter partners, series officials and fans will miss the Tequila Patrón brand next year. On behalf of IMSA, we thank CEO Ed Brown and Tequila Patrón. They have helped grow IMSA and the sport as a whole. We’re more proud than words can express to have counted Tequila Patrón among our family of premium brand partners.
“Tequila Patrón’s involvement on-and-off the track has been a benchmark example by every measure. We will look forward to finishing up our 2018 season in the strongest and most successful way possible and will look forward to the opportunity to work together again in the future.”
