Cosmo - McCormick Grab Top Honors In Cayman Interseries 4 Hours of Sebring

Guy Cosmo and Jim McCormick took top honors for the Cayman Interseries in Sunday’s 4 Hours of Sebring at the 2009 HSR Sebring Fall Historic Classic. Guy couldn’t have been more enthusiastic. 

“These Interseries Cayman S race cars are a blast,” said Cosmo. “I had a lot fun driving this car. It’s responsive, well mannered and extremely neutral. I can’t imagine anyone not having fun driving in this series. The car inspires confidence, it gives plenty of warning, it’s gentle when it let’s go and very manageable to recover. This is the perfect car for many levels of driver… beginner or pro. Honestly, I can’t say enough about the car.”

Read the full report on the Cayman Interseries at Sports Car Insider.

Driver Challenge Winner to Test Daytona Prototype with Cosmo

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Fresh from winning the inaugural 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona Driver Challenge presented by Sunoco, British champion Derek Johnston will test a Daytona Prototype on Nov. 3-4 at Virginia International Raceway to begin his preparation to drive in the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona.  Series veteran and team driver Guy Cosmo will be on hand to acclimate the British champion to the controls of the DP.

Johnston won a coveted driver's seat in America's premier sports car race by scoring the highest average point total among registered drivers competing in the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series, the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, the Radical UK Cup and the SPEED sports prototype series in 2009. Johnston, a 47-year-old resident of Nottingham, has won the Radical UK Cup the past two years, in addition to winning Radical's European Masters championship.

Johnston had the highest average score, based on race finishes, pole positions and fastest race laps. As a result, he will have a funded seat in a Daytona Prototype at the Jan. 30-31 Rolex 24 At Daytona, the opening round of the 2010 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and the kick-off event on the international motorsports schedule. He also will test at Daytona on Dec. 8-9, 2009, and Jan. 8-10, 2010.

First, Johnston will test the No. 09 Spirit of Daytona Porsche Coyote in the VIR session, working with GRAND-AM Rolex Series veteran Guy Cosmo. The Daytona Beach-based team will also have its No. 90 Porsche Coyote at the session.

"We will give him the opportunity to run many laps to see how he likes it," said team owner Troy Flis. "I think the Daytona Prototype will be a real good fit for him, coming from racing the Radical prototype, because both cars are similar. I think it's a real cool deal for Derek. He should get up to speed quickly, he just needs to get used to the greater weight of the Daytona Prototype."

Prior to traveling to Virginia, Johnston will visit Daytona Beach, where Cosmo will take him around the famed Speedway in a passenger car.

"I can't wait to get to drive a Daytona Prototype," Johnston said. "I've been watching plenty of videos, and it looks awesome. I just found out about testing at Virginia, so I'll be watching plenty of videos of that circuit. I can't wait. I hope it's like Rockingham in the U.K., because I'm quite good at Rockingham. This is a phenomenal opportunity, and I can't wait to get there and see the car and meet the teams."

"The Roar Before the Rolex 24" test is set for Jan. 8-10, 2010 at Daytona International Speedway, when spectators are invited to watch competitors in the Rolex Series and GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge prepare for the 2010 season. Rolex Series competitors will also test at Daytona on Dec. 8-9, 2009.
For additional information, please visit www.Grand-Am.com or www.twitter.com/RolexSeries.

Guy Cosmo and John Baker Take The Season Finale In American Le Mans GT Challenge Class

photo by John Thawley In what Guy Cosmo described as "the toughest race I've ever driven," the Orbit Racing No. 47 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car came home a winner for the American Le Mans Challenge class at the Monterey Sports Car Championships presented by Patron at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Starting from the pole, Cosmo's third consecutive on the season, he and John Baker were originally second before the Velox Racing Porsche of Shane Lewis and Mitch Pagerey was excluded in post-race technical inspections. Gruppe Orange’s Nick Parker and Don Pickering were second, Richard Rodriquez and Galen Bieker placed third for P7 Racing.

Over the full four hours of racing, there were on-track battles everywhere… none more exciting than the battle in the Challenge class. With John Baker on the receiving end of some body damage in a four-car pile up, Cosmo's first stint at the one-hour mark already saw the team 1 lap down. Add to that a 1-lap penalty for entering the pits when they were closed, the chances of a win for the No. 47 Porsche appeared to be quickly fading.

“On the restart, I passed three or four cars in my class in those first two laps, and they then made me pit and wait for a minute,” Cosmo explained. “At that point, we went down one more lap. Of course I’m thinking we’re down two laps, we're basically out of contention.  We might as well just plan on having me do a little bit and have John finish the race to gain more seat time, but then I realized we still had three hours to go and anything could happen.”

In typical Cosmo-style, Guy began chasing down the leaders. Timing and scoring was reporting the Orbit Racing No. 47 Porsche setting fast lap after fast lap. After charging through the field and with the help of a few well-timed cautions and wave-by, Cosmo appeared to be poised and ready for he and Baker’s first Challenge win.

“After the last sequence of pit stops, I just assumed we were in the lead by quite a bit,” Cosmo said. “And then the guys are telling me I’m in second place and I’m down thirty-something seconds. I’m thinking, ‘Who in the world is in front of us? We passed every car like three times!’”

As the race saw its conclusion, it was Cosmo just 20 feet behind the No. 38 Velox Motorsports Porsche of Shane Lewis at the checkers. What seemed impossible, in fact, was. The No. 38 car had completed the four hour event on just two pit stops. In post race inspection the race officials disallowed the win citing the No. 38 car had exceeded the regulated fuel capacity. The No. 47 Orbit Racing Porsche of Baker and Cosmo was awarded the win.

“It was pretty wild,” Cosmo said. “I’m actually a little disappointed about inheriting the win as opposed to getting it on track. But I was amazed at what I was able to do on track. We were legitimately two laps down and I literally drove around everybody three times.”

“I don’t feel like my attitude has changed from yesterday,” Cosmo said. “It’s not like I’m bouncing up and down because we have the win. That’s not how I wanted it. It’s nice to say that at least John and I did finally win one of these races this year. We had a lot of things that went wrong here and there that kept us from winning.”

A season-high total of eight cars were entered in the Challenge class for Saturday’s race.

The 2010 American Le Mans Series opens with the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. ET start on Saturday, March 20 from historic Sebring International Raceway.

Reflecting back on his 2005 Rookie of the Year title, Cosmo is actively pursuing a full time seat in the American Le Mans Series. With his prototype experience as a definite plus, Cosmo is confident his background is of value and would fit in with any number of ALMS teams.

"I'd really like to have an opportunity to contest the full championship in a prototype or GT car," expressed Cosmo. "These five races participating in the American Le Mans Challenge have been great, but it's hard to be around this paddock just part time. I want to be here full time, to win races and win championships.  I'm ready, and the time is now.  I hope I can find a program that shares the same goals as mine and get something full-time for 2010."

Guy Cosmo is one of the most successful and versatile young racing drivers of his day. Guy is recognized as a first-class professional racer in the sports car road racing industry, having won the 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year award and positioning himself as a proven front-runner in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype category. Guy's success stems from supportive family, friends and fans that have helped him through race wins and championships from Kart Racing, Formula Ford, Formula 2000, Star Mazda and Toyota Atlantic, to his professional endeavors in the Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series.

You can find out more about Guy at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/guycosmo

Cosmo, Baker Living Up To The Challenge

Written by John Dagys via SpeedTV.com

While the economic meltdown has affected us all in more ways than one, it’s also helped create new opportunities that wouldn’t have likely been possible two or three years ago. Case in point: the ALMS Challenge category. With dwindling car counts and an excess of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars racing in the Patron GT3 Challenge, IMSA took the proactive decision of allowing these cars on the ALMS grid this season.
 
Cosmo (L) and Baker (R) is just one example of the Pro-Am driver concept in the ALMS Challenge category. (John Dagys)What initially looked like an easy way to boost car counts turned into something much more. A new breed of drivers and teams were exposed to top-line professional motorsports. And with its pro-am driver format, new racers were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to jump in with the big boys. By the same token, a handful of work-deprived season veterans got a new lease on life too, by helping these gentlemen drivers get up to speed in the fast-paced world of sportscar racing.

Thanks to IMSA’s initiative, Guy Cosmo and John Baker are living the ALMS dream. Cosmo, a former full-time ALMS and Grand-Am racer, was itching for a new challenge, while Baker, a businessman without any prior racing experience, needed a driver coach to come to grips of a pure-bred race car.

They first met two years ago, when Baker was peddling a Porsche Carrera GT around Moroso Motorsports Park in Jupiter, Fla., and Cosmo was there as an instructor. After getting a taste of high-speed, closed-circuit racing, Cosmo suggested Baker take the next step, or giant leap that is.

“I convinced him to do a test with Orbit, because they had a Porsche Cup car,” Cosmo said. “We got him a track day down at Homestead-Miami Speedway where he got his first experience in an actual race car. He immediately fell in love with it and ordered a Cup car in December.”

One month later, Baker was lapping Sebring International Raceway in preparation for the season-opening Patron GT3 Challenge race in March. Along the way, he and Cosmo took the overall win in a six-hour Porsche Club of America endurance race at the famed 3.7-mile airfield circuit. Not too shabby for Baker’s first-ever race.

Fast forward four months and Baker was behind the wheel of the same Orbit Racing-prepared Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, but instead racing in the American Le Mans Series. He made his debut at the Salt Lake City round, where he and Cosmo scored a runner-up result before being disqualified for a small technical infraction. Yet, that weekend proved to be one eye-opening experience.

“I remember like it was yesterday,” Baker said. “The first time I went into the final turn at Miller Motorsports Park, I was side-by-side with a prototype. Even though we were six inches apart, both of us held our line and there were no problems. I think we were all surprised by the level of respect that was given both ways. Plus, there was not a single caution that race.”

Ironically, Baker relies on public transit when at his day job as a private equity investor in New York City. (John Dagys)Baker has continually made progress throughout the five-round ALMS Challenge season and has also relied on experience in the Patron GT3 Challenge. But to come as far as he has, in such a short period of time has even shocked his instructor.

“From this point, I would have never imagined that you could take someone, and not only build his confidence behind the wheel, but also be competitive to the point where he’s in the American Le Mans Series, racing world class and professional drivers. It’s phenomenal!” Cosmo said. “I think it’s a tribute to the formula we’ve had and the driver development process he and I had together for the past two years. This is the culmination of all this work, but also his natural ability to adapt and continually make progress every time he sits in the car.”

One of the major benefits has been Baker’s additional seat time on adjoining Patron GT3 Challenge race weekends. With over an hour of additional practice time, plus two 30-minute races, Baker has been able to not only come to gripsof each track, but also hone his race craft.

“We’re now working on his outright speed,” Cosmo said. “Today, for the first time ever, he’s within two seconds of my best time. It’s remarkable. I’m going out there setting quick times for the session and killing myself to do it, and he’s within two seconds of that. In the past, he’s been an average of four to five seconds [from me]. It’s amazing how quickly he’s learned.”

Much of the Baker’s immediate success is credit to Cosmo’s hands-on coaching techniques that have helped make the duo one of the quickest ALMS Challenge teams in the paddock. On Friday, Cosmo earned his third consecutive class pole and will be hoping to translate that into he and Baker’s first Challenge win in Saturday’s season-finale.

Whatever the outcome is on Saturday, Baker knows he’s certainly come a long ways in what usually takes most drivers years, not months, to accomplish.

Cosmo scored his third consecutive ALMS Challenge pole on Friday. (John Dagys)“This year has opened up a whole world of opportunities, especially for someone like myself,” Baker said. “I’m trying to figure out how this kind of passion can be fit into my life. There’s a potential of this becoming a full-season effort [next year]. But this is all still very new to me.

“I think what Guy and I have done is relatively unique. His coaching style and the way we communicate is great. I would have never been able to get up to speed in this kind of timetable.”

Cosmo, who sampled the Series’ new LMP Challenge car at Road Atlanta two weeks ago, also has yet to confirm his 2010 plans. The former Star Mazda champion and ALMS Rookie of the Year wants another stab at a full-season championship run, but is thankful for every opportunity given to him, especially in these tough economic times.

After all, Cosmo and Baker wouldn’t have likely been racing in the ALMS this season if wasn’t for the launch of the Challenge category. Sometimes, things happen for the right reasons. 

Guy Cosmo Puts No. 47 Porsche GT3 Challenge Car On The Pole

photo by: John Thawley ORBIT Racing’s Guy Cosmo won his fourth consecutive pole in the first-year Challenge class. He posted a lap of 1:29.546 (89.974 mph) in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car that he will drive with John Baker.

“Qualifying was pretty tame and calm the first few laps for us,” Cosmo said. “You figure that those are the ones where our tires will be at their best. But that’s also the time when the GT2 guys are trying to get their laps. So the race will be pretty exciting. The speed difference around here isn’t all the great so that makes it even busier.”

Cosmo outpaced Galen Bieker’s lap of 1:29.844 (89.675 mph) in the P7 Racing that he will share with Robert Rodriquez. Bob Faieta was a further 0.043 seconds back in the Gruppe Orange Porsche that he will drive with Wesley Hoaglund.

A season-high total of eight cars are entered in the class for Saturday’s race

“There are some really fast drivers in this class this week. It will be tough,” Cosmo said. “My margin of lap time was much smaller than it has been previously. It will be a lot for four hours. We’ll make sure John has a really good stint, then I’ll get in and hopefully not look back.”

Reflecting back on his 2005 Rookie of the Year title, Cosmo is actively pursuing a full time seat in the American Le Mans Series. With his prototype experience as a definite plus, Cosmo is confident his background is of value and would fit in with any number of ALMS teams.

"I'd really like to have an opportunity to contest the full championship in a prototype or GT car," expressed Cosmo. "These five races participating in the American Le Mans Challenge have been great, but it's hard to be around this paddock just part time. I want to be here full time, to win races and win championships.  I'm ready, and the time is now.  I hope I can find a program that shares the same goals as mine and get something full-time for 2010."

Fans will want to make a point of stopping by to visit with Baker and Cosmo during Saturday's autograph session and pick up the limited edition poster commemorating John's and Guy's 2009 season together. The posters are limited in supply, so fans should come by early. The autograph session is slated to run from 12 noon to 1PM in the ALMS paddock.

Guy Cosmo is one of the most successful and versatile young racing drivers of his day. Guy is recognized as a first-class professional racer in the sports car road racing industry, having won the 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year award and positioning himself as a proven front-runner in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype category. Guy's success stems from supportive family, friends and fans that have helped him through race wins and championships from Kart Racing, Formula Ford, Formula 2000, Star Mazda and Toyota Atlantic, to his professional endeavors in the Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series.

You can find out more about Guy at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/guycosmo

Monterey Sports Car Championships Presented by Patron is the season finale for the Challenge class participating with the American Le Mans Series regulars. Earlier this year, IMSA and the American Le Mans Series announced the formation of the Challenge class as an effort to promote the brightest and best of a new generation of sports car drivers. The Challenge class will compete with the American Le Mans Series for five races in 2009.

The final race in the 2009 American Le Mans Series is the four-hour Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. The green flag is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. PT on Saturday, October 10. The race will air on SPEED from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 11.

John Baker and Guy Cosmo Head To Mazda Raceway For the Monterey Sports Car Championships Presented by Patron

Pick up a Baker/Cosmo poster commemorating the 2009 season at the ALMS Autograph session Saturday at 12 Noon. Only while supplies last!The American Le Mans Series' 2009 Season Finale
John Baker and Guy Cosmo take the #47 Orbit Racing Porsche GT3 Challenge car west this weekend for the Monterey Sports Car Championships Presented by Patron featuring the American Le Mans Series. The team will take on the challenging Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as the American Le Mans Series winds up the 2009 racing season. For Baker and Cosmo this will be the final race in their inaugural American Le Mans Challenge 5-race campaign. While the duo have enjoyed a season that found them on the pole twice, a win at Laguna would be a perfect way to end the season. The race is a true test of endurance for the team as it will be four hours in length, running into twilight over what is arguably one of the most scenic road course in North America.

"We want this one bad," noted Guy Cosmo. "For a variety of reasons, we have yet to win an American Le Mans Challenge race… we're overdue. I know John has been putting in a lot of work preparing for this race and he's focused. For me, working with John as been an absolute pleasure. I couldn't be more pleased with John's development as a driver. We've both had a lot of fun and nothing would top off the year more than celebrating a victory at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca."

John Baker will also participate in the final race of the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama. With Cosmo coaching from the sidelines, it will make for a busy weekend for all. None more than the Orbit racing team. With all the run-time the cars will see, maintaining and staying on top of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars will have the team going around the clock.

The four-hour format will be a first for the American Le Mans Challenge class. The 2009 season was the inaugural year for the GT3 cars running with American Le Mans pro-level events, however the other four events were the regular 2:45 hour format. In addition to being a longer event, the Monterey Sports Car Championships Presented by Patron will run into dusk. Add to that the daunting elevation changes of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and it will definitely come down to the survival of the fittest.

"This format and this track will change a driver forever," laughed Cosmo. "It's going to be action-packed, flag-to-flag racing for the full four hours. The elevation changes are coming at you non-stop, lap after lap. There is no real opportunity to catch your breath. The Corkscrew drops 59 feet between the entrance of Turn 8 to the exit of Turn 8A – the equivalent of a 5 ½ story drop – in only 450 feet of track length. And when the sun starts to set, the closing rate of those huge prototypes is going to seem like double the norm. The last hour of this race will be run on pure adrenaline."

Set in the hills of Salinas and overlooking the Monterey Bay, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has been visited by some of the most prestigious racers in history; Roger Penske, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Kenny Roberts, Bobby Rahal, Wayne Rainey and Valentino Rossi to name a few.  The late 60's and 1970's may be remembered as the "Can-Am Years," but it was also the debut of Trans Am, IMSA and AMA motorcycles. Today, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca hosts five world-class race weekends each season, with elite road racing series from around the world visiting the Monterey Peninsula every year.

"The good news is," remarked Cosmo, "I love Laguna Seca… for the elevation & character of the course, the racing history and how it reminds me of the former Bridgehampton Raceway on Long Island, NY.   Plus, Monterey is also one of the best towns we visit all year long. With the American Le Mans' awards banquet to enjoy Sunday night, it'll be a very nice weekend for all of us. I'm really looking forward to it."

Reflecting back on his 2005 Rookie of the Year title, Cosmo is actively pursuing a full time seat in the American Le Mans Series. With his prototype experience as a definite plus, Cosmo is confident his background is of value and would fit in with any number of ALMS teams.

"I'd really like to have an opportunity to contest the full championship in a prototype or GT car," expressed Cosmo. "These five races participating in the American Le Mans Challenge have been great, but it's hard to be around this paddock just part time. I want to be here full time, to win races and win championships.  I'm ready, and the time is now.  I hope I can find a program that shares the same goals as mine and get something full-time for 2010."

Fans will want to make a point of stopping by to visit with Baker and Cosmo during Saturday's autograph session and pick up the limited edition poster commemorating John's and Guy's 2009 season together. The posters are limited in supply, so fans should come by early. The autograph session is slated to run from 12 noon to 1PM in the ALMS paddock.

Monterey Sports Car Championships Presented by Patron is the season finale for the Challenge class participating with the American Le Mans Series regulars. Earlier this year, IMSA and the American Le Mans Series announced the formation of the Challenge class as an effort to promote the brightest and best of a new generation of sports car drivers. The Challenge class will compete with the American Le Mans Series for five races in 2009.

To be eligible for selection by the sanctioning body (IMSA), drivers and teams must have had notable success for at least a year within GT3 level of racing. Teams may only field Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars from the Platinum class of the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama, which is supplying the spec tire for both its championship and the Challenge class.

Certain technical regulations for the American Le Mans Series' GT2 class will apply for Challenge entries, most notably rules governing refueling. Sporting regulations for the Challenge class also differ slightly from GT2. The number of crew members allowed over the wall during a pit stop is reduced, and only two members with only one wheel gun are allowed to change tires per stop. Teams also will have to make at least one stop to change all four tires at one point during the race.

The distribution of points will follow the American Le Mans Series championship. In a two-hour, 45-minute "sprint" format, class winners receive 20 points, runners-up 16, third-place 13 and down the line to 1 point for 10th place. A Challenge entry is limited to three drivers per car; however all competitors who drive an entry during the season will share the points awarded to that entry throughout the season. To score points, an entry must complete 70 percent of the overall race winner's distance.

Drive time requirements from other Series classes apply - a two-hour maximum per competitor with each driver required to complete at least 10 laps.

Guy Cosmo is one of the most successful and versatile young racing drivers of his day. Guy is recognized as a first-class professional racer in the sports car road racing industry, having won the 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year award and positioning himself as a proven front-runner in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype category. Guy's success stems from supportive family, friends and fans that have helped him through race wins and championships from Kart Racing, Formula Ford, Formula 2000, Star Mazda and Toyota Atlantic, to his professional endeavors in the Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series.

You can find out more about Guy at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/guycosmo

The final race in the 2009 American Le Mans Series is the four-hour Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. The green flag is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. PT on Saturday, October 10. The race will air on SPEED from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 11. Live coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche via americanlemans.com, which also will feature Living Timing & Scoring on Racehub. Live coverage also can be heard on Sirius 126 and XM 242.

Cosmo-Sport Track Event & Car Meet, September 10th @ PBIR!

Join Guy Cosmo at Palm Beach International Raceway for a fun-filled night at the track with like-minded auto enthusiasts! This will be a special Cosmo-Sport event: we are offering a discounted 'summer' rate for our Track Event participants, hosting a Go Fast Motorcars Meet & 'Cosmo-Sport Experience' package, where you can see for yourself just how much fun you can really have with your car!

Click here for full event details!

Pole Position Plus a Fourth Place Finish For Cosmo / Baker in American Le Mans Challenge at Road America

Guy Cosmo's second straight pole position with a qualifying lap of 2:16.098 proved not to be enough to get the job done for The Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase at Road America. Cosmo, who won at Road America in Star Mazda during the 2002 season, was installed in the ORBIT Racing prepared No. 47 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup during a yellow flag stop just 1 hour and 7 minutes into the race. Suffering an off track excursion early in the race the team fell several laps down. After literally driving the wheels of the car, Guy was able to push the team into a fourth place finish.

“John [Baker] had been making great strides all weekend," said Guy Cosmo referring to his teammate. "The off was just one of those racing things. The rest of the race was business as usual- setting a fast pace and being ready to pounce on any on-track opportunity if it presented itself. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to be had this time. On a big track like Road America, where no one really gets slowed by traffic, making up time is pretty tough. No worries, we're on to the next one!"

Road America is by far the fastest circuit on which the Challenge cars have competed. The speed differentials - particularly in the corners - are more drastic than the field has seen.

"Road America is such an amazing race track, though," Guy continued. "It was fantastic to see each class of cars running in packs of five and six cars at a time. Everyone can carry so much speed and draft down the long straights, then setup for passes in all the brake zones, there's action everywhere, it's wild... and a whole lot of fun."

"There's no doubt in my mind," said Cosmo, "we definitely had the car to beat. The car felt good right off the transporter. John and I were able to provide the guys from Orbit Racing good feedback allowing them to methodically keep dialing it in throughout the week. It was fast, comfortable and handled extremely well. We just couldn't buy the break we needed to take the top step on the podium. This is a never quit group though. Qualifying for the pole here and at Mid-Ohio is all the proof we need. We know we can win in this division."

As with any successful race driver, Cosmo continually seeks new driving opportunities. With 2009 winding down, Cosmo is actively pursuing a ride for 2010.

"I'd really like to have an opportunity to race in a prototype or GT2 car," expressed Cosmo. "These four races participating in the American Le Mans Challenge have really wet my appetite. It's hard to be around the paddock and the equipment and not want to get back in it. There's really nothing else like it and I know I have the talent to help one of these teams get to victory lane.

The ALMS made held a press conference this weekend announcing a progressive step designed to keep ahead of the rest of the industry. The Series plans to overhaul its four-class structure beginning with the 2010 season. The four classes will be Le Mans Prototype (LMP), Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC), Grand Touring (GT) and Grand Touring Challenge (GTC).

LMP1 and LMP2 cars will compete as a single LMP class in 2010 with exception of the endurance classics - the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans Powered by MAZDA6 - that will continue to adhere to the ACO technical rules for LMP1 and LMP2.

The GT class will follow specifications of the existing ACO / Le Mans GT2 class. Current manufacturers and models competing include Corvette C6.R, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Ferrari F430 GT, Jaguar XKR, BMW M3, Panoz Esperante, Ford GT, and Dodge Viper.

The GT Challenge class was introduced earlier this year at Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City. Currently, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars from the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama are eligible. In 2010, competition will be open to other versions of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars as well. Other manufacturers are likely to be added in the future.

"The new class structure sounds very promising," said Guy. It will be interesting to see which teams join the ALMS and how the rules package will shake out. Hopefully, I can get an opportunity for the remainder of 2009 and find something full-time for 2010."

Guy Cosmo is one of the most successful and versatile young racing drivers of his day. Guy is recognized as a first-class professional racer in the sports car road racing industry, having won the 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year award and positioning himself as a proven front-runner in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype category. Guy's success stems from supportive family, friends and fans that have helped him through race wins and championships from Kart Racing, Formula Ford, Formula 2000, Star Mazda and Toyota Atlantic, to his professional endeavors in the Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series.

The next round of the American Le Mans Series is the Mobil 1 presents Grand Prix of Mosport at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 30. The race will air live on SPEED. American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche and Living Timing & Scoring will be available at Racehub on americanlemans.com. Live coverage also can be heard on Sirius 126 and XM 242.

You can find out more about Guy at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/guycosmo