;)
Cosmo struggled to maintain his optimism following the race.
"This season can't get much worse," Cosmo observed. "I really don't know what to say. It's frustrating. Everyone is working hard but it seems we can't get a break. This weekend was one set back after another. The availability of track time seemed to hit us harder than most. But compounding the situation, we experienced gearbox issues the minute we left pit lane for the first practice."
The abbreviated second round of practice was of no help as a mishap kept the car off track for all but six minutes of qualifying.
"We were able to get out for the last six minutes of qualifying," noted Cosmo, "but in my eagerness to get a good time, I blew the chicane and had my fastest laps taken away. My co-driver [Ed Brown] never really got the seat time to acclimate himself to the track, which forced me to start the car… dead last."
Race day giveth… and race day taketh away:
"Once the race got underway, things settled down a bit," said Guy. "I had a glimmer of hope that I might be able to work my way up a bit and get a respectable finish. But… it wasn't happening. The gearbox failed and it was all I could do to limp home for a 10th place finish."
"We're not giving up… " laughed Cosmo. "And I really appreciate all of the supportive words and notes I get from our fans. We're going to Mazda Raceway… we love Mazda Raceway… and we're going to kick this thing in the backside. You know, you reach a point and it just gets personal. We're going to get through this."
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will make a cross country trip to California for round eight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The ModSpace American Le Mans Series Monterey presented by Patrón will go green Sept. 16 at 1:30 PM (PT). The race will air on ESPN2 at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 17 and be carried live on ESPN3 beginning at 12:50 PM.
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 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.