Following this week’s announcement reinstating Tomy Drissi to the TransAm Series, Tomy will drive the No. 8 Tony Ave Corvette. The TransAm Series presented by Pirelli, is at Mid-Ohio with the NASCAR Xfinity Series as part of the Mid-Ohio Challenge weekend.
With an entry list featuring 51 cars, the Trans Am slate for the weekend will feature two 101.96-mile competitions, 45 laps around the 13-turn, 2.258-mile course: The First Energy Muscle Car Challenge featuring the modern day pony cars of the TA2 class and the First Energy Trans Am 100 showcasing a multi-class competition composed of the TA, TA3 and TA4 classes.
No stranger to Mid-Ohio, Tomy has a long history of visits to the track’s podium in Trans Am and the IMSA series. In 2011, Tomy combined with Kyle Marcelli, winning the American Le Mans LMPC race. In addition, the 2009 Trans Am Series Champion, Drissi, set a track record on his way to claiming pole in 2013. With a time of 1.21:241, Tomy broke the previous qualifying record [1:21.645]—set by Tony Ave. Quite fitting for Drissi, driving for Tony Ave Racing, in a car built by Ave… broke Ave’s record.
“I’m excited to be back at Mid-Ohio,” said Tomy. “It’s a great race track and the fans are second to none.”
“More importantly,” added Tomy, “I sincerely want to thank the Series officials for their decision allowing me to resume racing in the [Trans Am] Series,” said Drissi. “I’m well aware of the seriousness of my most recent transgression and I’m committed to fulfilling the conditions they’ve established for my reinstatement. I would also like it known that I have voluntarily taken additional measures, actually going further than the Series request. Lastly, I want to apologize to my fellow competitors and extend my promise to them. I hope they will allow me the opportunity to rebuild their trust.”
Drissi’s suspension saw him excluded from Trans Am competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Brainerd International Raceway and Trans Am West competition at Portland International Raceway.
Series officials decided to suspend the existing decision after Drissi agreed to fulfill the Series’ terms and conditions necessary for his return to competition. The decision was also impacted by voluntary and ongoing efforts by Drissi to prevent further misconduct.
“Our decision to allow Tomy to return to full competition was not one taken lightly,” said Wally Dallenbach, Jr., Chief Steward of the Trans Am Series. “Tomy’s eagerness to accept responsibility for his actions and his willingness to meet and exceed the conditions necessary for reinstatement, were taken into consideration. At this time Series officials are satisfied with how Tomy conducted himself throughout this process and his commitment to changing his behavior. However, those conditions are ongoing and Tomy will remain under probation.”
The Mid-Ohio race will also be the site of the race debut for two new sets of Trans Am bodywork, the Chevrolet Camaro featured on the No. 50 GoShare/Axalta machine of Martin Ragginger and the Dodge Challenger on Jeff Hinkle’s No. 9 gogocreate.com/ Technical Realty entry. The addition of the two models stands as another step in adding diversity to the top class, which now includes the Ford Mustang, Cadillac CTS-V and Chevrolet Corvette.
Weekend Schedule
Thursday August 10, 2017
2:40 PM – 3:10 PM TA2 Practice 1
3:10 PM – 3:40 PM TA/TA3/TA4 Practice 2
Friday August 11, 2017
10:35 AM – 11:05 AM TA2 Practice 2
11:05 AM – 11:35 AM TA/TA3/TA4 Practice 2
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM TA2 Qualifying
3:20 PM – 3:40 PM TA3/TA4 Qualifying
3:40 PM – 4:00 PM TA Qualifying
Saturday August 12, 2017
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM First Energy Muscle Car Challenge
12:35 AM – 12:55 PM Frist Energy Trans Am 100
*all times eastern
Keep up with Tomy at http://www.tomydrissi.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tomydrissi/ – Catch Tomy’s Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/tomydrissi
Tomy Drissi is an American driver and Trans Am Champion.
His driver experience includes ALMS, Trans-Am, NASCAR and Speed World Challengea
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.
Tomy’s 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
• 2000 Trans-Am Long Beach Champion
• 2009 Trans-Am Champion.
• 2010 ALMS (one off race) Prototype LMP1 3rd. at Mid Ohio
• 2011 saw Tomy’s return to the American Le Mans 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.
• 2012, Drissi teamed with Bruno Junqiera for finishing 2nd at Laguna Seca, a win at Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsports Park), 2nd at Baltimore and second at the season finale, Petit Lemans.
• 2013 NASCAR CUP/Nationwide. Best result at Mid Ohio starting 38th and finishing 19th.
• 2014 IMSA LMPC at Daytona 3rd.
• 2014 NASCAR CUP/Nationwide. Finished 19th at The Glen
• 2015 TUDOR Series. 2nd Place Rolex 24 at Daytona
• 2016 WeatherTech Series. 2nd Place Rolex 24 at Daytona
About TransAm
The Trans Am Series is America’s Road Racing Series and dates back to 1966. Throughout the years, some of the greatest names in motorsports have participated in the Trans Am Series. Names like Tommy Kendall, Mark Donohue, Peter Gregg, Bob Tullius and Wally Dallenbach, Jr. have all won multiple championships under the Trans Am name.
While Trans Am will always be dedicated to honoring its history and legacy, it is far from simply living in the past. Since the addition of the Trans Am Race Company, LLC in late 2011, Trans Am has experienced unprecedented growth as a new class based model has been implemented. Now, three distinct classes take center stage; TA, TA2 and TA3, Trans Am is positioned to power into the future, not live in the past.
The iconic Trans Am Series – America’s Road Racing Series – is operated by the Trans Am Race Company, LLC. Through a five-year agreement, the Trans Am Race Company manages the marketing rights to the series and is responsible for Trans Am Series public relations and promotions. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides event operations services to the series.
For more on the Series visit www.gotransam.com, “like” Trans Am on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam, or follow Trans Am on Twitter at @gotransam.