Guy Cosmo saw his championship hopes move farther away Saturday at last week’s Grand American Road Racing Association’s KONI Challenge Series race at Barber Motorsports Park. Cosmo went into the event sitting sixth in the KONI Challenge Series championship standings. While he continues to hold on to that spot, the leaders are pulling away in points. Cosmo has finished in the top 10 each of his last seven starts, a streak that began with the #127 Fountain Motorsports Trackmasters/Hawk Brakes BMW 330i’s victory at Iowa Speedway.
Cosmo was second quickest in the first practice on Thursday. However, as other teams improved their setups and times, the #127 Fountain Motorsports Trackmasters/Hawk Brakes BMW 330i was not advancing at the same pace.
“We continue to learn our way through the BMW and find what it wants for the varying conditions at each track,” expressed Cosmo, “so it was a weekend of us facing handling issues throughout practice and qualifying. Regardless, the team worked hard and VJ (Mirzayan) qualified the car 13th.”
VJ started the race and put in a solid drive during his stint. When he pitted for fuel and a driver change, the trouble began.
“The fuel just wasn't filling at the rate it should,” said a frustrated Cosmo. “It was taking more than a full minute to fill the tank. Unfortunately, that sealed the deal for us. I left pit lane a lap down. I hustled to make up ground on the few cars in front of me, but there just wasn't much to gain.”
Without any caution periods during the entire race, the Fountain team saw their chances of regaining positions fade.
“That was it,” said Guy. “It was pretty much over. Fortunately, my race-pace was faster than the leaders, and I was actually closing the gap on the race leader. Seeing him in front of me provided me with some hope of getting my lap back.”
“I do have to give the team credit, though,” continued Guy. “Once again they proved that come race time, the Fountain Motorsports BMW is always there. It just didn't play out for us this weekend.”
Cosmo's extensive background with open-wheel formula cars and sports prototypes has earned him a reputation as one of the most successful and versatile young racing drivers in North America. The 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year ranks among the top-level road racers in the world. He has earned overall racing titles and major success in many disciplines including karting, Formula Ford, Formula 2000, Star Mazda, Toyota Atlantic, Grand American and American Le Mans. You can learn more about Guy Cosmo at www.guycosmo.com.
The Grand American Road Racing Association, which operates and sanctions the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve and the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, is the premier road racing organization in North America. The 15-race 2007 Rolex Series schedule and the 12-race KONI Challenge Series calendar will deliver professional sports car racing to key markets throughout North America. All 2007 Rolex Series events will be televised in the United States and Canada on SPEED and distributed globally through ESPN International. With title sponsorship support from Rolex Watch USA and presenting sponsorship from Crown Royal Special Reserve, the Rolex Series showcases emerging and legendary drivers from around the globe and thoroughbred racing machines from the industry's leading constructors and the world's top automobile manufacturers. Learn more about Grand-Am at www.grand-am.com.