about that is that it really focuses you to rely on self-improvement. We have to self-analyze and figure out if I could do better in certain sections of the track, where would it be and what would I want to do? It forces you to think differently than when you have other drivers to rely on. It's a great group of guys.
It will be strange to start and finish the race at almost the same time - I haven't done a sprint race on my own for about 12 years - since 2002 when I was in the Star Mazda Championship.
DC :Was the PWC weekend a last-minute arrangement?
GC:Yes – a week before, Walt Bowlin said he's not doing the race, but since it's local for the team to come down and do it.
DC: Of all the races you've been doing over your career, what's your favorite?
GC: The Prototype cars because I really love the technology. I love the purity of the cars, the capability, that they're lightweight, have tons of downforce - they are the top of the food-chain. You always want to be the quickest car that anyone produces.
DC: CoTA is really good for spectators – all of these Audi R8s, and there are a couple of McLarens in the mix - people love seeing these racing on this track.
GC: So many cool cars right out there. I've been driving around and seeing them in the paddock and pointing them out. This is what GT racing should be! Cars that are recognizable to the general public, these cars everyone dreams about owning and there are 50 of them out here banging doors and burning rubber. There's very tight racing so there's always going to be some bumping and rubbing.
DC: Where do you think you'll be in a year from now? What do you hope to have accomplished?
GC: Right now this is a one-race deal for me. My main priority is to find a full-time drive. Whether that's with this team, which is unlikely because Walt Bowlin is the owner of the car (Tampa Bay Jaw Surgery) and is planning on racing the car, and couldn't do all the races with his busy schedule. There's a chance I could race this car again during this season which would be great but ultimately I'm trying to line myself up for that full-time driving position that I've had for all these years. This is an odd time in my career path where I don't have a full-time drive. So the door is open for other opportunities, but as a driver you want a factory drive. You want to drive for a manufacturer, have the best car and best crew with a full budget.
In the meantime, I'm thrilled to be able to be here and help M1 Racing. I've known Paul Mata, the owner, for a number of years
now. He brought me in to coach Walt, with
whom I have a great relationship, and he's offered me this race and we can very well win a race this weekend. So, why wouldn't I want to come back and do it again? I'm ready to be racing and winning, full-time.
DC: And in 5 years?
GC: In 5 years I better have had won Le Mans! I want some championships along the way, and a win a Sebring, Daytona, Petit Le Mans, those would all be top-notch for me. Completely out of the box, I've been working on an IndyCar program because that was my dream since I was a little kid, to race IndyCars. It's gonna take a lot and there aren't many guys that race there without bringing massive amounts of money to provide the budget for the teams. If I can raise that kind of money, and spend it wherever I want, I'm gonna go check that box off my list. Nobody's hiring a guy like me who's not 18 any longer, but if I can put the pieces together then I'm going to try!
DC: There's value in that experience.
GC: It's marketable - everybody knows about IndyCar and the Indy 500. But if you say racecar driver, most people think NASCAR or Formula 1.
You have to explain what you do, if you
don't. At least if you can get yourself to the
level to say that you can hold your own in
IndyCar and be recognized as a driver who's able to compete at that level, if not stand out, then it really raises your stock as a driver. Some people might look at me and say its a longshot but I don't care what they think. If I can make it happen, that's what I wish for ultimately.
This weekend, thanks to Walt Bowlin, Tampa Bay Jaw Surgery and M1 Racing - we're going to go out and see if we can win this thing!
Guy ran into some bad luck throughout PWC weekend. Though he showed the second-fastest overall time in Friday’s practice, a failed clutch forced him to retire on the second lap of Race 1. Despite gaining positions on the first lap of Race 2, he was soon caught in an accident resulting in race-ending suspension damage.
Cosmo recently returned to the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar series competition on Sunday as he teamed up with Patrick Byrne to pilot the No. 45 Audi R8 LMS for Flying Lizard Motorsports in the Continental Tire Grand Prix of Monterey at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Guy and Patrick finished 9th on Sunday.
eRacing would like to thank Guy and M1 Racing for their time during the opening round of the PWC.
Image: guycosmo.com