;)
“It was pretty exciting, what I like to call four laps of fury” said Cosmo, a former LMP2 winner in the Series and Challenge pole-sitter last week at Mid-Ohio. “I love to qualify and love pushing as hard as I can, however I was a little ahead of the tire temperatures on my first flying lap and got off a little at the Kink. That was definitely exciting. Fortunately, managed not to wad it up! The ORBIT guys did a great job of preparing the car. It’s nice to qualify the car and collect pole positions in this series.”
Road America is by far the fastest circuit on which the Challenge cars have competed. The speed differentials - particularly in the corners - are more drastic than the field has seen.
“Unlike Mid-Ohio and Lime Rock, there is more room for other cars to get around us and still not get in the marbles,” noted Cosmo. “We’re looking to stay clean and bring the car home. (The GT2 cars) have more torque but there are times when I’ll actually have to lift at the end of a straight to keep from running into the back of the GT2 cars. It’s pretty surprising.”
Cosmo's primary role for the event is coaching his co-driver, John Baker.
“The first and foremost thing with John is making sure he stays within his limits, Guy pointed out. "He’s done a very good job so far. We want him to run within himself and keep to his pace. He has a lot to deal with out there – faster cars with the guys that he has been following for some time.”
“For me to help a driver craft his skill in this format is a benefit because I get to spend time in the car," continued Guy. "It’s very hard to help someone go fast when you can’t get in the car and provide real-time comparisons. I get to experience exactly what they get to experience, collect data, video and show them exactly where and how to improve. When a driver gets to a certain level, it's really tough to find the last bit of time. This offers John and I a very unique way to work together."
As with any successful race driver, Cosmo continually seeks new driving opportunities. With 2009 winding down, Cosmo is actively pursuing a ride for 2010.
"I'd really like to have an opportunity to race in a prototype or GT2 car," expressed Cosmo. "These four races participating in the American Le Mans Challenge have really wet my appetite. It's hard to be around the paddock and the equipment and not want to get back in it. There's really nothing else like it and I know I have the talent to help one of these teams get to victory lane. Hopefully, I can get an opportunity for the remainder of 2009 and find something full-time for 2010."
Guy Cosmo is one of the most successful and versatile young racing drivers of his day. Guy is recognized as a first-class professional racer in the sports car road racing industry, having won the 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year award and positioning himself as a proven front-runner in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype category. Guy's success stems from supportive family, friends and fans that have helped him through race wins and championships from Kart Racing, Formula Ford, Formula 2000, Star Mazda and Toyota Atlantic, to his professional endeavors in the Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series.
The Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase is set for 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, August 16 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. The race will air live on SPEED. American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche and Live Timing & Scoring will be available at Racehub on americanlemans.com.
You can find out more about Guy at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/guycosmo