Mark Patterson

Mark Patterson, originally from South Africa, started racing with Skip Barber Racing School in 1999. He was the Most Improved Driver for the Skip Barber Eastern Series in 2001 and the Master’s Champion for the Skip Barber Eastern Series in 2003. After graduating from the Skip Barber Race Series, Patterson graduated to Star Mazda before joining Michael Shank Racing for five years, racing their Daytona Prototype car to two wins--Utah and New Jersey--along with a second place finish in the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2006. He has raced in series all over the world while including the Ferrari Challenge, Star Mazda, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype class, FIA European GT3 Series, Blancpain Endurance Series and American Le Mans. He has raced in the 24-Hours of Daytona, 12-Hours of Sebring, Spa 24 Hour, Bathurst 12 Hour, Dubai 12 Hour and Petit Le Mans. His best finish at the 24-Hour of Daytona was 2nd place in 2006 with Michael Shank Racing. He also finished 2nd in the LMP2 class at Petit Le Mans in 2011. Mark’s international racing resume, includes the United States, Canada, Belgium, China, Mexico, Australia, Holland, France, Dubai, Slovakia, England, Spain and Italy. He is a two-time Grand-Am ProAm champion and Jim Trueman Award winner. In 2010, Mark drove an Audi R8 for United Autosports in the FIA European GT3 series. In 2011, he changed classes with United Autosports driving a McLaren MP4-12C in the Blancpain Endurance Series, co-driving with Mark Blundell and Zak Brown. He most recently drove the #20 Dyson car in two races in 2012, the VIR 240 at Virginia International Raceway and Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda at Road Atlanta. Off the track, Mr. Patterson is Co-founder of MatlinPatterson, which has managed over $9 billion in distressed private equity funds. Mr. Patterson spent decades banking on Wall Street and in investment management. After getting degrees in Law, Economics, and an MBA in Finance, Mr. Patterson now serves on the Board of Directors of Jazz at the Lincoln Center and on the Dean’s Executive Board of the NYU Stern School of Business. Mr. Patterson is fluent in Afrikaans.