The TransAm Series presented by Pirelli will host the season opener, March 2-5 at the legendary Sebring International Raceway. Both the series and track share an iconic legacy in American Road Racing history…. after all, this is where TransAm began over 50 years ago.
For Tomy Drissi, this is perfect. In his highly anticipated return to TransAm Racing, Tomy is thrilled that his 2017 Championship run will kickoff at Sebring. It just feels right.
“You couldn’t ask for a better way to start a season,” said Tomy. “I mean c’mon… it’s TransAm and it’s Sebring. Nothing says road racing like those two names. For me to kick of the year here feels great. We’ve got the team, the car and the desire… I’m having a hard time containing my excitement!”
Tomy will be driving the No. 8 Tony Ave prepared Ghost in the Shell Corvette. If you’re going to win in TransAm, Ave is the guy you go and see. Tomy can rest assured, he’s got power, handling and reliability.
“Tony is the man,” exclaimed Tomy. “These TransAm cars are ground pounding, fire breathing beasts… knowing your driving an Ave prepped car is like having a secret weapon. You’re going to be fast…. guaranteed! The trick to running a TransAm car at Sebring is to simply not get ahead of yourself. Sure, you only race a 100 mile sprint… but at Sebring, that’s like 200 miles on any other track. You can’t just focus on your competitors… you’ve got to drive this track and use the power efficiently and effectively. “
“I’m really looking forward to running a TransAm car on Pirelli tires,” added Tomy. “With the weight to horsepower ratio of a TransAm car, tire management and grip have always been a key factor to going fast. Drive the tires off a TransAm car and suddenly, you’re a passenger. Over the years, the Series has had several different tire providers, some better than others. In the case of Pirelli… you know they’re going to be fast, sticky and good. Drivers are going to have confidence in these tires… they’ll get out and race.”
The teams will have a tire test on Thursday with official practice getting underway Friday at 11:30AM. Green flag racing will begin on Sunday with the TA2 cars at 11:05AM and the TA / TA3 /TA4 race at 3:05PM. Both races are 27 laps / 70 min. for the equivalent of 100.98 miles.
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
Ghost in the Shell is an upcoming American science fiction action film directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Jamie Moss and Ehren Kruger, based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow. Sanders dedicated the film to Buried director Rodrigo Cortés. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Michael Pitt, Pilou Asbæk, Chin Han and Juliette Binoche. It will be released on March 31, 2017, in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D.
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.