;)
After enjoying solid results in the first three races of ESM's inaugural season, the team experienced their fair share of challenges at the Utah Grand Prix earlier this month. While it's not unusual for new teams to experience growing pains, it was uncharted territory for Extreme Speed's topflight crew.
"Utah is behind us," exclaimed a determined Guy Cosmo. "It's been reviewed and put to bed. We go forward from here and I'm confident our guys will make the necessary adjustments both on and off the track. We're all pros… and while we might be a new team, this is not our first rodeo. We're not going to allow being a new team to be a viable excuse. Excuses don't win races. So our focus is directed toward Lime Rock and getting these Ferraris to the front."
While the ALMS has been enjoying large entries and full grids in 2010, the term 'full grid' becomes very significant when the Series gets to Lime Rock Park. Lime Rock is the shortest track on the calendar at just under 1.6 miles long. Last year's overall pole time was 46.97 seconds and the average speed was 122 mph. And with only one left turn on the entire track, teams find themselves thinking in terms of an oval-like setup.
Think high-speed traffic jam. Drivers at Lime Rock will make the least amount of gear changes (16) per lap and run at full throttle 61% of the time. There are seven turns in all. That said, it's a spectacular battle ground for the scrappy GT2 cars.
"I'm really looking forward to climbing in the Ferrari at Lime Rock," said Cosmo, ALMS 2005 Rookie of the Year. "Traffic is going to be an issue, for sure… but if you can break into the clear, it's going to be the ride of a lifetime. You just know when a car is going to suit a track. I think the ESM Patrón Ferrari will be well suited."
Originally hailing from the New York area, Cosmo sees Lime Rock as a homecoming of sorts. Much of Guy's early racing took place in the Northeast and Lime Rock was very much like home.
"It's great being back at Lime Rock," added Guy. "It's just like being home. I spent a lot of time here and have lots of friends and family in the area. The best part will be having my dad hanging out with us. He and I had some of the best times of our lives racing and hanging around at Lime Rock. It's pretty special."
And, if you are within striking distance of Boston, come join Guy, Lime Rock Park and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón to celebrate the Northeast Grand Prix in style at Alibi Bar and Lounge in Boston on Wednesday, July 21st! The Patrón Spirits Company and Harpoon Brewery are presenting the Grand Prix Boston Party, complete with everything a race or car enthusiast wants! And we mean EVERYTHING.
Along with Guy, the event will feature ALMS drivers Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti! Also present for your viewing pleasure- up close and personal- will be the championship-winning Patrón Highcroft Racing LMP racecar! If you are 21 + and RSVP, complimentary drinks will be provided by the event sponsors. There will be events, games, and charity fundraisers at the party... And on top of all that, Lime Rock Park will be throwing down the gauntlet with discounted Saturday tickets for the ALMS race day on July 24th.
The American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix is the fifth round of the 2010 season. The two-hour, 45-minute race is set for 2:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 24 from Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn. SPEED will air the race live at 2 p.m. ET. Live radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche – a production of Radio Show Limited – as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 242. Visit the Series’ schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com.
Guy Cosmo, 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year and also a former ORBIT Racing driver, competed last season in the No. 47 Porsche 911 GT3. He finished the season 3rd in the Challenge class championship qualifying on the pole three times. Cosmo has 19 starts in the American Le Mans Series, finishing in the top-five 17 times and has been on the winner’s podium twice. In addition to being an accomplished driver, Cosmo is also a highly sought-after driving instructor. Find out more about Guy Cosmo at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy through the racing weekend on Twitter @guycosmo.
Extreme Speed Motorsports is sponsored by Tequila Patrón, along with support from Ferrari Corse Clienti and the team’s official tire technical partner Michelin. Patrón, a longtime supporter of motorsports racing, is the presenting sponsor of the full American Le Mans Series.