Career Summary:

Michael 'Mike' Guasch

  • February 25, 1958
  • 66
  • United States
  • European Le Mans Series
  • 126
  • United Autosports
  • 17
  • 43
  • 10
  • 7
  • 13.49%
  • 34.13%

Michael 'Mike' Guasch, also known as Molecule Mike, is an American businessman and racing driver who achieved the most in sports car racing, winning two championship title in recent years.

He was a Prototype Challenge champion in the American Le Mans Series in 2013 and LMP3 class champion in the European Le Mans Series in 2016.

Michael Mike Guasch, Molecule Mike

Molecule Mike is combining a lab coat with racing suit

Successful businessman started a racing career in 2005

Born in February 1958 in Palo Alto, California, Mike Guasch became a successful businessman and inventor, creating the Molecule brand. In youth, he was active in dirt track racing, motocross and jet ski racing, being active in the IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association) National Tour until 1991.

In 2005, Mike reactivated himself in car racing, entering the Jim Russell Pro Mazda Series and finishing in the second place. Next year, he made a debut in Star Mazda Championship, staying in that competition until 2009 when he won Masters Class.

Switching to sports car racing in 2010

In 2010, Mike made a switch to sports car racing, joining United Autosports to drive Audi R8 LMS full season in the FIA GT3 European Championship but also in one round of the British GT Championship.

His co-driver in the #22 Audi was another American veteran racer Mike Patterson. Without wins or podiums, they finished far down in the final standings.

Mike Guasch and Matt Bell in 2011

Mike Guasch and Matt Bell in 2011

Class victories at Sebring and Laguna Seca

In 2011, Guasch opened a season with a class victory at Sebring 12 Hours. He was driving the #036 Oreca FLM09 for Genoa Racing, finishing first in LMPC class. His co-drivers were Jens Petersen and Dane Cameron. Later in the season, Guasch joined Genoa Racing in one more ALMS race, at Laguna Seca 6 Hours, taking LMPC class victory together with Elton Julian and Eric Lux.

In 2011, Guasch spent a season with United Autosports in the British GT Championship, scoring one victory with Audi R8 LMS at Snetterton and finishing seventh in the points. His co-driver was Matt Bell.

Mike Guasch 2013

Molecule Mike was ALMS champion in 2013

ALMS Prototype Challenge champion in 2013

In 2012, Guasch made three starts in the American Le Mans Series with Muscle Milk Pickett Racing, driving the #5 Oreca FLM09 at Sebring, Long Beach and Laguna Seca. For the 2013 ALMS season, Guasch joined PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports to drive the #52 Oreca FLM09 full season in the LMPC class.

He opened a season with a class victory at Sebring 12 Hours, sharing a car with David Ostella and David Cheng. He and Luis Diaz scored one more class victory at Laguna Seca and Guasch ended a season as the LMPC class champion, beating Chris Cumming by just one point.

Mike Guasch in 2015

Mike Guasch in 2015

2015 – class wins at Daytona, Sebring, Petit Le Mans

In 2014, ALMS and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series merged into the IMSA United SportsCar Championship. Mike Guasch stayed with PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports, participating in two races (Daytona 24h, Sebring 12h) in the #52 Oreca FLM09.

In 2015, Guasch spent a full season in the #52 Oreca FLM09, opening a year with a class victory at Daytona 24 Hours, together with Tom Kimber-Smith, Andrew Novich and Andrew Palmer. In March, he added one more Sebring 12h class win to his account. The third great win came at the end of the season, at Petit Le Mans. In the meantime, Guasch and Kimber-Smith won at Lime Rock Park and they finished second in the final PC class standings.

Mike Guasch, #2 Ligier JS P3, 2016

In 2016, Guasc was a champion in the #2 Ligier JS P3

European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion in 2016

In 2016, Guasch rejoined United Autosports to drive the #2 Ligier JS P3 prototype in the European Le Mans Series. His partners were Alex Brundle and Christian England. They won three times, at Silverstone, Imola and Red Bull Ring, taking the championship title in LMP3 class.

In 2017, Guasch made just two starts with PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, driving the #52 Ligier JS P217 at Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours.

Photos: Brian Cleary, Sportscar Racing News, Vision Sport Agency,