;)
“John [Baker] had been making great strides all weekend," said Guy Cosmo referring to his teammate. "The off was just one of those racing things. The rest of the race was business as usual- setting a fast pace and being ready to pounce on any on-track opportunity if it presented itself. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to be had this time. On a big track like Road America, where no one really gets slowed by traffic, making up time is pretty tough. No worries, we're on to the next one!"
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.
"Road America is such an amazing race track, though," Guy continued. "It was fantastic to see each class of cars running in packs of five and six cars at a time. Everyone can carry so much speed and draft down the long straights, then setup for passes in all the brake zones, there's action everywhere, it's wild... and a whole lot of fun."
"There's no doubt in my mind," said Cosmo, "we definitely had the car to beat. The car felt good right off the transporter. John and I were able to provide the guys from Orbit Racing good feedback allowing them to methodically keep dialing it in throughout the week. It was fast, comfortable and handled extremely well. We just couldn't buy the break we needed to take the top step on the podium. This is a never quit group though. Qualifying for the pole here and at Mid-Ohio is all the proof we need. We know we can win in this division."
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.
The ALMS made held a press conference this weekend announcing a progressive step designed to keep ahead of the rest of the industry. The Series plans to overhaul its four-class structure beginning with the 2010 season. The four classes will be Le Mans Prototype (LMP), Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC), Grand Touring (GT) and Grand Touring Challenge (GTC).
LMP1 and LMP2 cars will compete as a single LMP class in 2010 with exception of the endurance classics - the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans Powered by MAZDA6 - that will continue to adhere to the ACO technical rules for LMP1 and LMP2.
The GT class will follow specifications of the existing ACO / Le Mans GT2 class. Current manufacturers and models competing include Corvette C6.R, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Ferrari F430 GT, Jaguar XKR, BMW M3, Panoz Esperante, Ford GT, and Dodge Viper.
The GT Challenge class was introduced earlier this year at Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City. Currently, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars from the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama are eligible. In 2010, competition will be open to other versions of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars as well. Other manufacturers are likely to be added in the future.
"The new class structure sounds very promising," said Guy. It will be interesting to see which teams join the ALMS and how the rules package will shake out. 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 next round of the American Le Mans Series is the Mobil 1 presents Grand Prix of Mosport at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 30. The race will air live on SPEED. American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche and Living Timing & Scoring will be available at Racehub on americanlemans.com. Live coverage also can be heard on Sirius 126 and XM 242.
You can find out more about Guy at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/guycosmo