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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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"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."

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"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'."

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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.

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"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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Late Race Contact Ends Cosmo's Lime Rock Run

Starting from 11th, driving the No. 02 Extreme Speed Motorsports Patrón Ferrari 458GT, Guy charged to the front of the GT field in only 23 laps. With 30 cars lapping the 1.53 mile Lime Rock Park circuit in under a minute, Cosmo was putting on a driving clinic at the American Le Mans Series Northeast Grand Prix. In the end, the only thing that could stop Cosmo was an overaggressive move by an LMPC car.

Cosmo lead the collision filled race for nearly 38 laps prior to pitting for a driver change.

“It was our race," said a frustrated Cosmo. "The ESM boys gave me a great car after we struggled a bit on Friday. We were quick enough to drive up through the field and our strategy got us into the lead. Once we were there, we were able to stretch out a nice gap.  It was a picture perfect race for us at that point."

Co-driver, Ed Brown had a great stint keeping the car in the top five. Employing brilliant race strategy and catching a perfectly-timed yellow flag, Brown headed back to pits and Cosmo climbed back in the Ferrari.
 
“We had a big enough lead that when we pitted to put Ed in, he was able to get up to speed quickly and keep himself on the lead lap.  He did a really great job and then the yellow came out perfectly in time for us to satisfy his minimum requirement and get me back in with enough fuel to finish."

Back behind the wheel, Cosmo picked up where he'd left off picking his way through the field. With the race winding down and only eight minutes remaining, Cosmo was knocking on the door of the third and fourth placed Corvettes. As he approached the Downhill section and last corner before the front straight, Guy signaled to the LMPC car following him not to pass. The LMPC driver disregarded the signal and made contact with the No. 02 Ferrari sending it spinning into the barriers at turn 7.

“I signaled to let him know that I didn’t want him to pass me there," said Guy. "This was on the entry to The Downhill on the final corner.  We all have a code of conduct out there and when somebody moves over before the entry of a corner, that’s a signal saying, ‘Don’t pass me here,’ He’s a prototype, I’m a GT, he could have waited literally two seconds later and passed me down the front straight blindfolded.  But instead, when I turned in, he hit me in the right rear.  He had no chance in the world of getting by me at that point."

The car was unable to continue under its own power which dictated the race be ended under a yellow flag. The damaged Ferrari was returned to the garage on a flatbed truck.

“The car is so badly damaged that we are going to have a problem getting this car repaired for the next race," added Cosmo. "This is an extreme disappointment. Instead of bringing home our best finish yet for the 02 team after a dominant performance, my crew will be thrashing to repair this car in time for the next race. We’ll move on to the next one, but I don’t know what kind of piece we’re going to have by then.”
 
“It was a hard hit," Guy noted. "It hurt.  But I’m okay.  I’ll be a little sore tomorrow.”

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón next heads north for Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport. The two-hour, 45-minute race is scheduled 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 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.

Guy Cosmo Summer Tour Continues With Attack on Lime Rock Park

Continuing his homecoming swing through the northeast, native New Yorker, Guy Cosmo heads to Connecticut. Cosmo will join co-driver Ed Brown in the No. 02 Tequila Patrón Ferrari 458 GT for the American Le Mans Series Northeast Grand Prix, July 7 at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville. The two-hour, 45-minute American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix is the fourth race in the 2012 American Le Mans presented by Tequila Patrón championship.

Earlier this month, Cosmo and his Extreme Speed Motorsports teammates enjoyed a top-5 finish in the Grand Am Road Racing Series' Sahlen's Six Hours at the Glen. Teamed with Johannes van Overbeek and Mike Hedlund, Cosmo set the fastest race laps in the GT division while on the way to taking the No. 03 Tequila Patron Ferrari 458 GT to a 4th place finish.

This weekend, the two-car Extreme Speed Motorsports team will tackle historic Lime Rock Park. While technically challenging, the natural terrain course boasts some of the fastest speeds in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Average qualifying and race speeds are well in excess of 100 mph. Though the track is only 1.53 miles in length, featuring only seven mostly right-hand corners, the big challenge facing ALMS drivers is traffic. With the ALMS mix of 30+ prototype and GT cars lapping in well under a minute, there's never a dull moment.  

"I just love this place," said Cosmo. "It's super fast and it's crowded. With over 30 cars lapping the place, you cannot relax. You are always in traffic. And, given the ALMS four-class structure, you're dealing with slower cars in front of you and faster cars coming up on you…. and coming up on you fast."

"I'm anticipating a great result here," added Cosmo. "We had the opportunity to do some testing during the Le Mans break and the cars have been fantastic. Everyone on the crew has their game face on and we're ready to take these cars to the front and on the podium. To top it all off, we're home and we're here with friends and family. It's time!"

The American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix is Saturday, July 7. The two-hour, 45-minute race is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET from the 1.5-mile, 10-turn Lime Rock Park circuit. ESPN2 airs the race the same day at 4 p.m. ET. Live coverage is available starting at 2:45 p.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.

Cosmo & Company Grab a 4th Place Finish at Sahlen Six Hours at the Glen

© REGIS LEFEBUREThe Extreme Speed Motorsports combination of Guy Cosmo, Johannes van Overbeek and newcomer, Mike Hedlund, took advantage of Team Extreme's flawless pit stops and sound race strategy to bring home a 4th place finish among a tough GT field at the Grand Am Road Racing's Sahlen Six Hours at the Glen.

In a race that saw eight different leaders, the six hour endurance race demanded sprint race intensity. Not a Series 'regular,' the ESM Tequila Patron Ferrari 458 GT continues to impress. Like the recent Detroit Grand Prix, during his second stint, Guy Cosmo again set the fastest GT laps of the race.

"My second stint was a blast," grinned Cosmo. "The first stint wasn't bad either. I went from 14th to 4th in the first stint… on a track like the Glen, that's just a lot of fun. Then in my second stint, I'm not sure how many positions we picked up, but I gunned down the leaders and we were the fastest GT on the track. It was a serious charge and got us back to fourth."

"I really enjoyed my time behind the wheel," added Guy. "Watkins Glen is still one of the greatest tracks on the planet and still one of my favorites. It's so fast… it flows and it calls for an enormous amount of commitment and guts. It's unlike any track in the world. For me, it's home."

"This was a good race for the whole team," Cosmo continued. "Mike Hedlund did a great job for us. It was is first outing with ESM and first time driving the Ferrari 458 GT. He drove a solid race and kept the car in good position so Johannes and I could run down the leaders keeping the car in the top-5."

Cosmo and Extreme Speed will turn their focus back to the continuation of the American Le Mans summer session of the 2012 ALMS Championship as the team heads to Lime Rock Park  and the Northeast Grand Prix. The team campaigns two Patron Ferraris with drivers Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek, and Ed Brown teamed up with Cosmo.

"I'm really enjoying this time in the northeast," said Guy. "I'm home with family and friends. I'm driving great cars on great race tracks. Not just great cars… I'm driving Ferraris. I'm loving these cars. They're Italian, I'm Italian…. it's a special relationship and it just keep's getting better."

The American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix is Saturday, July 7. The two-hour, 45-minute race is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET from the 1.5-mile, eight-turn Lime Rock Park circuit. ESPN2’s broadcast featuring live coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET. Full coverage is available starting at 2:45 p.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.