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Not only will the 12 hour event kick off the 2012 American Le Mans Series Championship sponsored by Tequila Patrón, it also serves as the opening round of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship. Sebring is the birthplace of the FIA’s endurance racing heritage, having hosted the first FIA World Championship for sports cars in 1953 on it’s legendary 3.74-mile circuit.
"I'm really optimistic about my third season with Extreme Speed Motorsports,” said Guy. “The team has progressed considerably over the winter. We've really upped our game. In testing we’ve shown significant improvements over last season and we’re really getting into a groove. I think our third year is going to be our best yet, and I can't wait to get to Sebring and get things underway."
This will be the second year for the team using the Tequila Patrón-sponsored Ferrari 458GT’s. Working with Ferrari and Michelotto, ESM has utilized the off-season to work on improving durability and performance. Two pre-season test sessions have given the team reason to feel confident heading into the season opener.
Keeping everything on the table, the team also looked at driver strategies for the 12 hour endurance race.
"We're shaking things up for Sebring this year,” Cosmo noted. “I'll be joining Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek in the No. 01 car. We felt we should put forth our absolute-best effort for Sebring and make it an all-ESM driver lineup. Of course, I'll still contribute to the No. 02 car's program and continue working with Ed Brown, but Anthony Lazzaro and Jeff Segal have been brought in to drive with Ed. They’ll do a great job together.”
“Our goal for the No. 01 car is nothing short of delivering a win for Patrón,” Cosmo stated. “Not finish well, not podium... but win. We have what it takes in every area to make that happen. We plan to attack and we are ready to conquer. We're here to win."
The 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila begins with the 60th Annual Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida on March 14-17. Qualifying takes place on Friday, March 16, at 3:20pm. Green flag for the 60th Running of the 12 Hours of Sebring is on Saturday, March 17, at 10:30am.
Guy Cosmo, 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year drives 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 38 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. Follow Guy through the racing weekend on Twitter @guycosmo and on Facebook.
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.