Early Damage Puts Cosmo Out of Contention;)
Like Lime Rock, Mosport was yet another week of the No. 2 Patron Ferrari 458GT getting banged around. Cosmo's co-driver, Ed Brown was hit no less than twice in the early going of the 2 hour and 45 minute event. Damage put the car several laps down and the remainder of the day was spent driving around salvaging points.
"It's very discouraging," said Cosmo. "Everyone on the Extreme Speed Motorsports team works so hard getting the car right and ready for race day. We had good speed all week and had a great handling car. Unfortunately, by the time Ed handed over the car, he was beat up and so was the car."
"I just don't know what's going on out there," Guy continued. "These are supposed to be world class drivers yet we're seeing some incredibly amateur moves. I don't know if it's a lack of respect for their equipment or for other drivers, but something has to change. It's pretty disappointing and it's happening with guys that know better and guys you expect more from. I just don't get it."
Guy was left with a broken splitter and right front fender supported by duct tape which resulted in an ill-handling car. Certainly not the day he'd hoped or prepared for.
"On a good note, we had a lot of good folks from Patron cheering us on all week-end," added Guy. "I know they had a great time and it was fun for us as a team spending time and getting to know them."
As the ESM crew packed up to head back to Florida, they could only look forward to Mid-Ohio.
"I'm confident the crew will get things back in order," said Guy. "We'll be ready for Mid-Ohio."
The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge, the fifth round of the 2011 ALMS championship, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 6 with ESPN2 airing the race starting at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 7. Live video coverage on race day will be available at 3:15 p.m. ET on ESPN3.com in the US, and americanlemans.com for international viewers. Canadian fans may also watch live coverage on Rogers Sportsnet. Worldwide radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio at americanlemans.com. For more information on the broadcasts, go to americanlemans.com/tv.
Guy Cosmo, 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year competed last season in the No. 02 Extreme Speed Motorsports Patrón Ferrari. Cosmo is a race record-holder at Mid-Ohio (for fastest lap in the GTC series, which he set in 2009 in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup). Cosmo has 28 starts in the American Le Mans Series, finishing in the top-five 18 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.
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is the world`s leading sports car championship and is recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing. In the tradition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, multiple classes of cars - purpose-built prototypes and production-based Grand Touring automobiles - race on the track at the same time to create compelling race action and constant passing. All cars in the Series compete using one of five approved alternative fuels or energy sources: clean sulfur-free diesel, cellulosic E85 or E10, Isobutanol and electric hybrid technologies. The Series has more automobile marques involved than any other major race series in the world as manufacturers develop relevant technologies on track that transfer directly to the customer showroom. The ALMS competes at North America`s premier road racing tracks and selected temporary street circuits in major urban markets.