MONTREAL, Que 29 July – Porsche has always been known for sporting international appeal, attracting envious glances and attention across the globe. Spirit of Daytona Racing will embody that wide range this week, as the team puts an impressive run in Alabama’s high heat last weekend in the rear view mirror and heads North to cosmopolitan Montreal for round ten of the 2008 Rolex Sports Car Series season.
The Porsche V8-Coyote combination was stout in the South, sporting the best qualifying performance for the package to date with fifth on the grid. That helped the team show even more strength in the race, running in the lead pack all day long only to be knocked off the track and out of contention by contact from a fellow Daytona Prototype in the waning laps of the race.
Despite that setback, the team was enthusiastic about the weekend performance, and will look to continue that progress again this weekend with drivers Guy Cosmo of Florida, and Quebec’s Marc-Antoine Camirand, who hails from just over an hour away from the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
“We’re excited to be taking this V8 Porsche-Coyote up to Montreal with Marc Antoine Camirand and Guy Cosmo,” said team owner Troy Flis. “We’ve had some really strong runs in the last few races, and people are paying a lot of attention because we continue to make strides with this car. Of course, this is our first race for Spirit of Daytona in Montreal, but Marc and Guy both know this track, and I’m pretty sure that Marc has a big fan club up there so I think we’re going to have some fun. Hopefully we can find the right balance and let this V8 Porsche stretch its legs a little bit and also be quick in the mid-speed corners as well. ”
With wins on the track in both formula car competition and touring cars on his way to a Canadian championship, Camirand has lots of laps and plenty of speed on the island-based track. The Quebecer is excited to run with the fastest combination yet in his career on the circuit with the Porsche V8-Coyote.
"This circuit is a big deal, and it's very emotional on me, with Formula 1 and the Grand Prix." Camirand said. "The circuit has a lot of background, so it's always good to race down there. You have to be on the curb to go fast here," he explained. "That's the key to Montreal. The circuit is pretty flat and not that difficult, so you need to get down in the corner, make the apex and be aggressive. I like the circuit. The crowd will be awesome, and I'm looking forward to it.”
Cosmo, who will likely watch qualifying during the Canadian round after handing that duty admirably in Alabama with a run to fifth, is anxious to get back to the track, as he loves the track, the crowds, and the people that come with this event.
"The first and only time I raced in Montreal was in 2001, in the Toyota Atlantic Series, and it remains one of the greatest memories of my life. The city is incredible, the race track exciting and challenging, and the fans are so enthusiastic - saying I'm excited about this race weekend is an understatement. Having Marc-Antoine (Camirand) as my teammate this year has been great, as we started our racing careers in go-karts racing against each other years ago. Marc-Antoine should clearly be the crowd-favorite as a native Quebecer, and we plan to let the fans cheer for their local talent and get both Marc, myself and the Spirit of Daytona team on the podium this weekend."
The race weekend is part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series visit to Montreal, with the first practice session slated for a 12:30 PM start on Thursday, with the grid being set at 1:15 PM on Friday before a 4:15 PM ET race start, which will be broadcast on SPEED starting at 8:00 PM on Friday.
For more information: www.spiritofdaytona.com
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Guy Cosmo’s extensive background with open-wheel formula cars and sports prototypes has earned him a reputation as one of the most successful and versatile young racing drivers in North America. The 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year ranks among the top-level road racers in the world. He has earned overall racing titles and major successes in many disciplines including karting, Formula Ford, Formula 2000, Star Mazda, Toyota Atlantic, Grand American and American Le Mans. You can learn more about Guy Cosmo at www.guycosmo.com.
The Grand American Road Racing Association, which operates and sanctions the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, is the premier road racing organization in North America. The 15-race 2008 Rolex Series and the 11-race KONI Challenge Series calendars deliver professional sports car racing to key markets throughout North America in addition to being televised in the United States and Canada on SPEED and distributed globally through ESPN International. Learn more about Grand-Am at www.grand-am.com.