IndyCar-turned-American Le Mans racer Scott Sharp has reached an amicable settlement in the court case that followed his departure - complete with sponsor Patron - from previous employer Rahal Letterman Racing.

RLR had filed a lawsuit against Sharp and Patron Spirits alleging a breach of a multi-year contract and seeking damages, as well as calling for an emergency injunction against the driver, which would have prevented him from taking up his seat alongside David Brabham at the Highcroft Racing team.

A 24-page ruling issued by county judge Adalberto Jordan denied the injunction, but found that Sharp's counter-claims - citing fraud, failure to provide testing, failure to perform research and development and the replacement of team members - had no merit.

Despite that ruling finding Sharp to be in breach of contract, the two parties, along with the Patrón Spirits Company managed to reach an amicable settlement, terms of which will remain confidential and unreleased.

“We are pleased to put this mutually unpleasant matter behind us," said team co-owner Bobby Rahal, "I appreciate Scott's and Patron's commitment to creating a fair and equitable settlement in this matter and I wish both [Patron CEO] Ed Brown and Scott the best of luck in their racing endeavours this season. We now can look forward to the start of what promises to be a successful 2008 season.”