Extreme Speed, Cosmo captures maiden GT pole at Detroit

#03 Extremem Speed Motorsports Ferrari 458: Guy Cosmo, Scott Sharp

Photo by: Art Fleischmann

DETROIT, MI – June 1, 2012 – The Extreme Speed Motorsports team rocked Detroit city on Friday afternoon when Guy Cosmo, a newcomer to Belle Isle, posted the quickest lap of the GT class and captured the pole for Saturday’s two-hour Chevrolet GRAND-AM Detroit 200.

This marks the first career pole for Cosmo and the first pole position for the Extreme Speed Motorsports team in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.

In the No. 03 Tequila Patrón Ferrari Italia 458, Cosmo lapped the 14-turn, 2.1-mile temporary street circuit in 1:27.967 (85.123 mph).

The ESM crew prepared the Ferrari to perform well in any of the conditions thrown at them on Belle Isle. The morning session took place in the rain, as did most of the second session. Once qualifying rolled around in the early evening, the track was completely dry.

Racing action continues on Saturday for the Extreme Speed Motorsports team. Sharp will drive the recon laps during the 4:15 p.m. pre-race activities. Cosmo is the lead-off driver and will turn the black and green racing machine over to Sharp to take the checkered flag.

Scott Sharp

“We are all thrilled to get the first pole for Tequila Patrón and Extreme Speed Motorsports. Plus, this is Guy’s first career pole in GRAND-AM. It really was a great day for us in Detroit. I’ve had some success at Detroit in the past and it is great to see the team start this weekend off on the right foot. This is how we like to start the race weekend.

“I’m impressed with what Guy was able to accomplish today, especially since this is his first time on the Belle Isle track and he learned the course during the rain-soaked first session.

“The conditions changed so much from the wet practice sessions to a dry qualifying session, the team didn’t have much time to prepare the car for the dry conditions. What the team was able to accomplish in a short amount of time really helped during qualifying. Guy climbed in the Ferrari and was able to do what he does best – drive our ESM Ferrari as fast as he could, and ultimately put it on the pole. Guy did an amazing job today.

“The ESM crew guys rolled out with a very good set-up for a low grip, ever-changing track. Part One is accomplished, now we need to bring it home tomorrow, which we all know will not be easy. The ESM crew did their part in making sure we were ready for Friday, we just have a few items to work on for Saturday. We’re looking forward to Part Two tomorrow. It is going to be a really good race.”

Guy Cosmo

“This is the first career pole in the Rolex Series for me. I’m glad I was able to be part of Tequila Patrón and ESM’s first GRAND-AM pole.

“It was a lot of fun and pretty challenging today, with the wet this morning and this being my first time in Detroit. I was trying to learn the track in the wet. We didn’t want to put the car in harm’s way, so we really didn’t run too much this morning.

“Our Patrón Ferrari was good in all conditions today. I think it is a testament to the top-notch experience level of the team, especially since this is a new car. None of the teams had a chance to prepare for qualifying because we didn’t run in the dry at all. Our Ferrari was very, very good right off the bat. That was a big factor in the kind of lap times we were able to set.

“We were given two directives by Mr. Ed Brown (Tequila Patrón, President/CEO and co-driver of No. 02 ESM Ferrari with Cosmo in ALMS). Ed said, ‘Qualify on pole and win the race.’ And when the boss gives a directive, you do what the boss says.

“I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow. Scott has a lot of success here, so I’m looking forward to handing him our Patrón Ferrari in first place and have him bring it home so he can collect another win and I’ll collect my first win in GT to go along with my first pole.”

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