Alton, Va. (26 August 2017) – TeamTGM delivered a strong performance in its return to IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competition at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) on Saturday. Hugh Plumb and Guy Cosmo combined to run as high as third for the Atlanta-based team in the two-hour Biscuitville Grand Prix and looked to be on the team’s way to a positive finish.
Unfortunately, that strong run was thwarted late in the race when Cosmo was struck from behind by the No. 77 GS class machine.
Plumb opened the race from the third row after he qualified the No. 4 Camp Boggy Creek / JKTG Foundation Porsche Cayman GT4 MR sixth on the grid on Friday. He moved his way up to run in the top-five just prior to the team’s first pit stop with 45 minutes completed in the race.
As the race ran under green, the TeamTGM crew performed a flawless pit stop for fuel, Continental tires and a driver change. That effort saw Cosmo return to the track third in the order.
“The first stint was good – we just kind of kept the leaders in sight because that’s about all I could do,” said Plumb. “The crew did an amazing job pit stop wise. We got out of the pits so quickly – we were the second quickest team to get out of pit lane during those stops so that went really well. We were a top-five car for sure. Guy (Cosmo) did a great job. I have to thank Ted Giovanis for doing what he’s doing and for always making a big effort.”
Shortly after the team’s first pit stop, a lengthy full course caution was displayed and TeamTGM took the opportunity to top off on fuel toward the end of the long yellow flag period.
When the field went back to green, Cosmo was third in the running and eyeing a podium result. But it wasn’t long before a second full course caution once again tightened up the field.
The race went back to green for a 20 minute dash to the finish, but unfortunately a top-five result for the team was thwarted when Cosmo reported contact from behind and he was sent off track. Not only did he lose valuable time off track, but he dropped to ninth in the order where he ultimately finished.
“First of all Hugh (Plumb) did a great job, and the team put me in third place,” said Cosmo. “So everything was going according to plan and it was great. Hugh drove a great stint, handed it over, and boom I’m in third. When we got going we were hanging in there and then I just got punted. He just absolutely punted me going into Turn 12 and I just went flying off track. I’m lucky I didn’t wad up the car. I managed to keep it romping through the grass and three corners later I was able to rejoin in ninth. It was a great day, ruined by someone’s inability to race professionally. It’s disappointing for sure, but we’ll put our heads down and go onto the next one at Laguna.”
Despite the end result, Team Owner Ted Giovanis was happy with TeamTGM’s performance during the VIR event.
“I think we had a good race,” offered Giovanis. “Hugh (Plumb) and Guy (Cosmo) both drove great stints. We should have had a top-five and arguably a top-three. But all in all it was a good weekend. The car ran well, we got to see what it’s like relative to the other cars and we’re going to turn the page forward. We’re looking forward to Laguna.”
TeamTGM will return to IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competition at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on September 21-24.
MEDIA CONTACT: Julie Conlin
Sunday Group Management
julie@sundaymanagement.com
