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When the checkered flag dropped on the 2011 Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach, Tomy Drissi and former teammate Kyle Marcelli found themselves standing on the second spot at the podium in LMPC. In the 2012 version of the annual street fight, Tomy and his new RSR teammate, Bruno Junqueira have their eye on putting the #9 Prometheus The Movie LMPC prototype in the winners circle.
The Long Beach circuit is one that demands precise driving and total concentration. Passing is at a premium as drivers negotiate the tight 1.968 mile concrete canyon.
“I’ve always enjoyed racing Long Beach,” said Tomy. “It’s nice to be home. It’s a great party. And, I’ve had a fair amount of success here. My first professional win was at Long Beach driving in Trans Am.”
“One of our challenges at this race will be traffic,” added Tomy. “On this track, there won’t be that great of a difference between LMPC speeds and the GT cars. You have a little breathing room on the front stretch, but for the most part you’ll have to slice and dice your way through. How you get in and out of the corners will make all the difference in setting up a pass. Then, of course, there are the walls. Consistency and confidence will win this race.”
“We had a quick car at Sebring,” noted the Trans Am Champion. “RSR has had plenty of experience at Long Beach in Indy Car, Trans Am and ALMS. I expect they’ll have Bruno and I up to speed in short order.”
The Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach runs on Saturday, April 14. The race will start at 7:30 p.m. ET with live coverage on ESPN2. The second round of the championship also will be shown live on ESPN3 in the United States.
Tomy Drissi is an American driver and Trans Am Champion. His driver experience includes ALMS, Trans-Am, NASCAR and Speed World Challenge.
Born December 9 in Hollywood, California, Tomy owns an advertising firm that produces upcoming film displays for cinemas. Drissi’s first racing experience in motorsports was street racing on Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills.
His professional racing career highlights include; 1999 Trans-Am Rookie of the Year, 2000 Trans-Am BBS Most Improved Driver, 2000 Trans-Am Crew of the Year and Trans-Am Champion. In 2010 Tomy competed in Trans-Am taking 1 win, 1 pole, 3 podiums, 4 Top Fives, 7 Top Tens; He also competed in the American Le Mans Series LMP1 class at Mid-Ohio finishing 3rd. In 2011 Tomy returned to the American Le Mans Series, LMPC division. He scored a 2nd at Long Beach, 3rd at Lime Rock, 1st at Mid Ohio,1st at Inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix and second at Road Atlanta -Petit Le Mans.
Tomy is married to Lacy Livingston Drissi.
Prometheus – 6.08.12
Visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define, creating an original science fiction epic set in the most dangerous corners of the universe. The film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life’s ultimate mystery. http://www.prometheus-movie.com
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is the world`s leading sports car championship and is recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing. In the tradition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, multiple classes of cars – purpose-built prototypes and production-based Grand Touring automobiles – race on the track at the same time to create compelling race action and constant passing. All cars in the Series compete using one of five approved alternative fuels or energy sources: clean sulfur-free diesel, cellulosic E85 or E10, Isobutanol and electric hybrid technologies. The Series has more automobile marques involved than any other major race series in the world as manufacturers develop relevant technologies on track that transfer directly to the customer showroom. The ALMS competes at North America`s premier road racing tracks and selected temporary street circuits in major urban markets.