Guy Cosmo Heading Home For Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen

Guy Cosmo will return to his Northeast stomping grounds over the next two weeks as he and his Extreme Speed Motorsports teammates take on the Rolex Series Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen, July 1, and the American Le Mans Series Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock, July 7.

"It's going to be good having a couple of weeks with friends and family," noted Guy. "Living in Florida and being on the road so much, I don't get to see everyone as often as I'd like to. Even though we're up here racing, driving has been such a huge part of my life, everyone comes out to support me at the track and it's just like old times. It's great!"

Cosmo's last run with the Grand Am Series set a couple of "firsts" for the native New Yorker. Guy's pole position at the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle was his first pole in Rolex Series competition, the first pole for the Ferrari 458 Italia in Grand Am competition and the first pole ever for Extreme Speed Motorsports.

While this weeks event is a six hour endurance race and will require a different strategy, Cosmo is confident they can continue the No. 03 Tequila Patron Ferrari 458's Detroit momentum at the Glen.

"The car was so good at Belle Isle," said Guy. "I have no reason to believe we won't be just as strong here at the Sahlen's Six Hour. In fact, having practically grown up at Watkins Glen, I'm pretty confident of our chances here.  I'll be sharing the car with Johannes [Van Overbeek] and Mike Hedlund."

Mike Hedlund will make his ESM debut with van Overbeek and Cosmo in is his second professional start and second GRAND-AM race.

There will be 23 GT entries competing on the 3.4 mile, 11-turn road course.  The Glen provides the perfect blend of altitude changes, sweeping turns and long fast straights. Long a favorite of road racers world wide, Cosmo gives hi-marks to the legendary track.

"As a proud New Yorker," said Cosmo, "and even though I defected to Florida before retirement - Watkins Glen holds a very special place in my heart. You don't have to be a New Yorker to realize the sheer beauty of upstate New York and the Finger Lakes region that the quaint town of Watkins Glen resides. Race drivers world-wide recognize Watkins Glen International Raceway as one of the greatest race tracks in the world with it's flat-out climbing esses, elevation changes and the challenges of a truly high-speed race track."

"Add to that," Cosmo continued, "the Glen's rich history in motorsports, dating back to the beginning of road racing in America, and having played host to all the major racing series including Formula One for so many years, Watkins Glen is definitely one of the greatest race tracks on this planet."

The Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen is a three-day event.  The team practices on Friday and Saturday, June 29-30.  Qualifying takes place on Saturday, June 30, at 12:05 p.m. (ET).  Green flag for the race is on Sunday, July 1, at 11 a.m. (ET). Live race coverage will be available starting at 11 a.m. ET on SPEED.

The next race for the Extreme Speed Motorsports team is the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park on July 6-7.

Guy Cosmo, 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year competed last season in 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 28 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. Find out more about Guy Cosmo at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy through the racing weekend on Twitter @guycosmo.

Guy Cosmo Blazing Fast At Chevrolet GRAND-AM 200 at Belle Isle

A Weekend Filled With Firsts!

Despite the yellows and miscues in Saturday's Chevrolet GRAND-AM 200 at Belle Isle presented by the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers, Guy Cosmo couldn't ask for a better Motor City debut. The 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year, driving the No. 03 Tequila Patrón Ferrari, went the fastest in GT during the second practice, took the pole in qualifying and led 19 laps setting the fastest laps on race day.

This was Cosmo's first look at the Belle Isle circuit. And even though all practice sessions were in the wet, Cosmo's pole setting time was a half second quicker than the next fastest GT car. The pole was Cosmo's first ever in Grand-Am Rolex Series competition and first for the Ferrari 458 Italia in Grand-Am. It was Extreme Speed Motorsports first pole ever.

“Our Tequila Patrón Ferrari was just outstanding," Cosmo noted.  "We were really quick, so I was able to establish a healthy lead over the field.  From there I was trying to save fuel and tires, and just keep a safe margin up front.  We were, by far, the car to beat."

Unfortunately, it would take more than the quickest driver and quickest car to win the race. After leading 19 laps, things quickly began to unravel.

“We pitted for fuel and tires during one of the early yellows," added Guy. "The right rear wheel wasn’t on all the way.  Since the wheel was coming off, I had to pit again and we went to the back of the field.  Then on one of the restarts immediately after, I was a little eager to get up to the front and got a stop-and-go penalty for initiating a pass before the start/finish as per GRAND-AM’s rules.  Fortunately, between the wheel and the penalty, we didn’t go down a lap.  I was able to make up a few positions and there was another yellow, so we decided to put Scott in."

With about half the race remaining, ESM team owner Scott Sharp got behind the wheel of the No. 03 Tequila Patrón Ferrari.  Scott started his stint on the lead lap running 12th.  He worked his way masterfully through the tight and competitive field and ultimately finished the race in seventh. 

“Scott did great," said Guy. "He caught up to the pack real quick, got himself all the way up to seventh and it was single file from that point on the track.  It was so hard to pass today.  The result isn’t bad considering we pitted a few more times than we should have.”
 
“I had a blast this weekend," said the always upbeat Cosmo. "I think the Belle Isle track is incredible. It is absolutely one of my favorite tracks ever. I think part of our speed was just how much I enjoyed the track and was able to get up to speed quickly despite never having been here before, but of course the rest was due to ESM's ability to give me a very fast Ferrari right out of the box.”

Next up for the Extreme Speed Motorsports team is the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patrón open test session at Virginia International Raceway on June 14-15.
 
The next ALMS race for the Extreme Speed Motorsports team is the Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park on July 6-7.

Guy Cosmo, 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year competed last season in 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 28 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. Find out more about Guy Cosmo at http://www.guycosmo.com and follow Guy through the racing weekend on Twitter @guycosmo.