Cosmo Looking Back To The Future For Win At Mid-Ohio

Returning to the site of his first American Le Mans Series win, Guy Cosmo is pinning his hopes on returning to the podium at Mid-Ohio when the Extreme Speed Motorsports team heads to Lexington, Ohio for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge. With last week's Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport win in their back pocket, the team has high expectations for the No. 01 and 02 Patrón Ferrari GT458's in this Saturday's race.

"I'm really thrilled with and proud of the team's progress this season," noted Guy.  "We've been very competitive with strong performances from both cars. We've even squeaked out a win with the 01 team at the last race.  We've got the momentum.  I hope that momentum builds and winds up like a steam-roller flattening everything in it's path."

While the 02 car has generated lots of on-track excitement and shown speeds and lap times capable of winning, Cosmo and co-driver Ed Brown have not yet put it all together to take a spot on the podium. None-the-less, their confidence and team preparation continue to pose a threat. 

"For the 02 car," continued Cosmo, "Ed and I need to take the best aspects of our performances this season and pull them all together for a good result.  In the last two races, we've started strong, charged through the pack, led in dominant fashion, but in the end, either had bad luck or just plain got it wrong.  We are on the verge of a great finish together, and we are pushing for that this weekend."

A popular circuit among drivers, the legendary Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a natural terrain road-racing circuit featuring 13-turns and several elevations changes over 2.25 miles. The track has tested the courage of some of the world's top drivers for more than 40 years.

"I've got fond memories of this place," added Guy. When I first started racing, I raced there so many times to get prepared for the SCCA National Run-offs, which took place at that track.  I think my father and I practically lived in Ohio in 1997 in efforts to race in everything that they had there under the sun. I’ve won more races at that track than anywhere else I’ve been… including my first win in the American Le Mans Series back in 2005 in LMP2… but I haven’t won there since."

“A good lap around Mid-Ohio is like playing a game of chess," said Guy. "You have to strategize your way around that course, not just drive your way around.  Placement is really important.  It is very slippery and you really have to think ahead because it is such a twisty and tight course that if you mess up one corner, you’re going to mess up two more corners after it.  You really need to plan ahead."

The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a two-day event.  The team will take to the track for two practice sessions on Friday, August 3, followed by qualifying at 1:55 p.m. (ET).  Green flag for the race is on Saturday, August 4, at 1:05 p.m. (ET).

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. You can find out more about Guy Cosmo at http://www.guycosmo.com or 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.

Cosmo's Fast Ferrari Leads - Just Not Enough At Mobil 1 Grand Prix Of Mosport

Starting 10th at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Guy Cosmo pushed the No. 02 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari 458 GT to its rightful position at the front of the GT class in the American Le Mans Series presented by Patrón Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport. However, leading for 34 minutes of the two-hour and 45-minute race wasn't enough to overcome the teams race strategy.

“It was a good run," said Cosmo following the race. "We knew we were gambling with our strategy a little bit.  We might have made the wrong call ultimately but we did lead for a while.  We showed that the No. 02 Tequila Patrón Ferrari was repaired (from the Lime Rock damage) well and quite fast."

What works one week, doesn't necessarily work in another.

"Ed got in and he did a really good job," added Cosmo. "We just got caught out in the strategy. We should have pitted earlier and didn’t.  The strategy worked last race because we were in fourth with 10 minutes to go. Take the contact out of it and the strategy worked perfect for us.  We tried it here again. The flow of the race was different; there were a lot of yellows this time.  It just didn’t pan out the same way."

Cosmo's teammates in the No. 01 Patron Ferrari faired much better on the day. After finishing the race second, the No. 45 Flying Lizards car was disqualified on a technical infraction advancing Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek to race winners in the GT division. It was Extreme Speed Motorsports' first win in the American Le Mans Series.

"I’m really happy for Johannes and Scott," said Guy observing his teammate's win. "They fought so hard to get their Ferrari near the top and in the end, it worked out for them.  The 01 and the 02 were the cars to beat today.  I’m glad to see they are getting the acknowledgement for the race win.”

“Both our Ferraris were better on the longer runs," said Guy. "Our car was really good, the Michelins were great.  We had a little trouble with all the yellows getting the tires up to temperature, but once we did our car was phenomenal.  We were clearly one of the best cars out there at the end of the stint on the tires.”

With Mid-Ohio just 10 days away, the team is happy to have both cars undamaged and ready to go racing needing only the basic prep.

“We know we have a good, clean, undamaged, fast race car to head into Mid-Ohio," added Guy. "Wins and podiums for both cars are coming – for sure.”

The next round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge. The sixth round of the 2012 championship is set for 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 4 from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. ABC’s broadcast featuring live coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET.

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. You can find out more about Guy Cosmo at http://www.guycosmo.com or 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.

Guy Cosmo Ready for Battle North of the Border

Guy Cosmo and Extreme Speed Motorsports will campaign their Patrón Ferrari 458GT racers at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport Int'l) in round five of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón, the Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport. Teams will test Friday and have two rounds of practice followed by qualifying on Saturday. The two hour and forty five minute race will get underway Sunday at 12 noon EST.

​

Opened in 1961, Mosport / Canadian Tire Motorsport Park retains its classic 2.459 mile road course. The famed circuit has hosted F1, Indy cars, motorcycles and a host of other racing classes. Yet none holds a greater popularity than the biggest event of the season, the Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport featuring the American Le Mans Series sports car race. Previous years have seen three-day weekend crowds of more than 70,000.

​

Unlike many historic motorsport venues, Mosport's track layout has remained mostly unchanged from its original form. The fastest ever recorded lap was taken by Rinaldo Capello, in an Audi R10 TDI, in qualifying for the 2008 Grand Prix of Mosport, with a time of 1:04.094. The lap record was set in the race for that meeting with Capello's Audi Sport North America team mate Marco Werner lapping in a time of 1:05.823.

​

Still reeling from the needless contact that took place in the closing laps of the Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock, Cosmo is hopeful cooler heads will prevail on Mosport's high-speed natural terrain course.

​

"In regard to what happened at Lime Rock," noted Cosmo, "I'm really disappointed. The careless driving that's been taking place between the classes on track needs to stop.  We were lucky our Ferrari wasn't a total write-off and that I didn't wind up in the hospital from that crash.  It was all a result of someone's lack of respect for his fellow competitors.  If driving like that takes place at a track like Mosport, the repercussions will be bigger than anyone in this series can handle.  This place is way too fast and dangerous for drivers who's skill level and judgement are lacking, and I won't stand for it any longer."

​

"Mosport is a great place that dates back to when men were men and racing was dangerous," added Guy. "It's fast, sweeping and blind with huge elevation changes.  It's a track that demands 100% focus and commitment at all times.  I absolutely love it.  And now under it's new ownership many renovations and improvements have been made around the facility, so I'm looking forward to the new 'Canadian Tire Motorsport Park'."

​

The crew for the No. 02 Patron Ferrari have practically been working around the clock to get the car put back together and race ready. Cosmo and co-pilot Ed Brown are more than ready.

​

"Ultimately," said Guy "all I can say is we're looking forward, and we're going after the result we should have gotten at Lime Rock - a podium finish for Ed and I in the 02 car."

​

In other team news, Johannes van Overbeek will celebrate his 100th ALMS race start this weekend when he lines up alongside ESM team owner Scott Sharp aboard the No. 01 Tequila Patrón Ferrari Italia 458.

​

Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport is set for noon ET on July 22 from the 2.459-mile, 10-turn Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. ESPN2’s broadcast featuring live coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET. Full, live coverage is available starting at 11:45 a.m. ET on ESPN3.

​

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. You can find out more about Guy Cosmo at http://www.guycosmo.com or 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