Continental Tire IMSA Driver Spotlight: Guy Cosmo

Driver Spotlight: Guy Cosmo
Driver: No. 45 Flying Lizard Motorsports Audi R8 LMS
Follow: @GuyCosmo

You’re part of a strong lineup this weekend with Flying Lizard. How excited are you to get back behind the wheel of the Audi?

“I’m very excited to get back behind the wheel of the Audi R8 LMS. It is such a great car to drive and it’s been clear the Audi R8 LMS has proven it’s the car to beat this season. I really enjoyed driving and racing it earlier this year at Laguna with the Lizards. We were definitely fast all weekend. With the strength and experience Flying Lizard has, along with this great driver lineup with Robert Thorne and Colin Thompson joining us and Audi Sport customer racing on our side we will be contenders for the win.”

You’ve made select starts in the TUDOR Championship this year. Has it been difficult not having a full-time ride?

“It has been difficult not having a full-time ride lately, but just emotionally. I truly love this sport. I love what I do; I love working with all these dedicated, talented and knowledgeable people we find in racing; I love the challenge and how all of us must work together towards a common goal, I absolutely love the driving, of course, it’s what I’ve dedicated my life to – but I also love everything else that comes along with it – the travel, the media, the fans, all the excitement, positivity and energy that you find in and around this sport in every way. It’s absolutely wonderful.

“So when I’m not doing that full-time it hurts. But the climate has changed in our sport and opportunities are even more difficult to come by. However, I am committed to this sport every day of my life, whether racing or not, and am absolutely ready to go. I’m prepared physically, mentally, emotionally and I’ve proven that I can hop in a car at a moments notice and be as fast or faster than anyone out there. So imagine if I were racing every weekend!

Do you think GTD switching to full FIA GT3-spec machinery will help open up more opportunities for professional drivers like yourself?

“I think it’s a smart move by IMSA. These FIA GT3-spec cars are so well built and balanced to strict guidelines, they are incredible race cars and everyone wants their hands on them. I’m hoping it will open up more opportunities for drivers like myself but they are also being raced in a class that is mandatory Pro-Am, which means a Gold-rated driver like myself is only employable for half those seats in a season, or only one third of the seats for the endurance races. That formula has it’s positives in some ways but it’s definitely contributed to me being on the sidelines these past two seasons.”

What are your favorite aspects of Road Atlanta? And what are some of the keys to success in a 10-hour race?

“Road Atlanta is absolutely one of the most challenging tracks out there. It is non-stop action when you’re simply driving around it, but then add the chaos that multi-class racing brings, around a tight, twisty track that is not forgiving and you need to be aware and on your toes! I love just about everything Road Atlanta has to offer – the great configuration, the elevation changes, the high and low speed sections.

“But the key to success in a 10-hour race here is no mistakes – at all. No contact, no dropped wheels and especially in the GTD class, being aware of exactly when & how to let the faster classes through while keeping your momentum. I actually feel GTD is the most difficult class to survive & succeed in given it’s the slowest of the four classes.”

You’ve recently been doing some web-TV work, hosting the Motorsport Show. Do you enjoy that aspect of the sport and has it given you a different outlook?

“I have really enjoyed doing Motorsport Show lately. It takes all of what I do and what I love in this sport and documents all of it on camera and my incredible producer, Robert Lyon, turns it into an exciting and informative show. It’s been a lot of fun and has given me the chance to attend races that I’m not competing in and experience them in a whole new way.

“I’ve really enjoyed that, but of course a part of me always wants to be driving if I’m at a race track! I’m hoping this show format will provide me the opportunity to develop my involvement on-screen alongside my driving career, not in place of it. Because I certainly plan to be racing for many more years to come!”