“This was a tough race for all,” noted Tomy Drissi. “BAR1 did a great job. I felt early in the race, we missed a bit on the set up… compared to last year, where we knew we had hit the set up just right. But make no mistake, the car was good and kept getting better.”
“Personally, I felt that I could have done better,” Tomy acknowledged. “I pushed as hard I a could but I had a little difficulty really attacking and feeling comfortable. Unfortunately, that’s the compromise that happens when you have multiple drivers. You have to work with the best setup… and that’s the one that works for all. I was happy that I didn’t make any mistakes. I kept it clean and pushed as hard as I possibly could.”
Known for his movie sponsored car liveries, Tomy was promoting Paramount Pictures upcoming release, Zoolander No. 2. The reception by the fans at Daytona was fantastic. It didn’t take long for fans to pick up on posing with the car and impersonating the classic Zoolander poses… Blue Steel and le Tigre.
“This was a great fit,” said Tomy. “I mean it’s the 24 Hours at Daytona. It ain’t nothing but a party. People were going nuts for the car and enjoying all the good fun the Zoolander movies inspire. Johnny [Mowlem] and I had Zoolander style jacket and wigs we wore at driver introductions… we were almost late getting to the car due to fans wanting to pose for pictures. Zoolander 2 was the perfect fit for us! I really appreciate all Paramount does with our program.”
Zoolander No. 2 is an upcoming 2016 American comedy film directed by Ben Stiller and written by Justin Theroux, Stiller, Nicholas Stoller and John Hamburg. It will open in theaters February 12. It is the sequel to the 2001 film Zoolander and stars Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Penélope Cruz, Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen. When the world’s most beautiful musical celebrities are systematically assassinated with formerly famous male model Derek Zoolander’s iconic “Blue Steel” look on their face, Interpol recruits Derek and his friend Hansel McDonald to infiltrate a new and different world of high fashion in order to put a stop to it. Meanwhile, Derek’s rival Jacobim Mugatu is set free and is seeking revenge.
Tomy and the BAR1 team now begin preparation for the 64th running of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida. America’s greatest enduring racing tradition runs March 16-19, 2016.
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.
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
IMSA
The International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) is the sanctioning body of the WeatherTech Championship, the road-racing series resulting from the merger of the American Le Mans Series and the GRAND-AM Sports Car Series. IMSA also sanctions the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda, as well as four single-make series: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin, Ferrari Challenge North America and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America. IMSA is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected TUDOR United SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.