Not satisfied with Saturday’s Round 9 7th place finish, Tomy Drissi, driving the No. 47 Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked / Muscle Milk Porsche for TruSpeed Motorsports, vowed to do better in Sunday’s Round 10 of the Pirelli World Challenge Series at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma California. He lived up to that promise. Starting 8th on the grid, Tomy ran with the front pack for the entire 50 minute race, scrapping it out in the final laps with Cadillac driver Johnny O’Connell and ending the weekend with a top-5 finish.
“That was a fun race,” declared Tomy. “Those last laps running with Johnny O’Connell… that’s the kind of racing you live for. And what a class guy. He came over immediately after the race and expressed his appreciation for the good clean battle. We raced hard and clean… it was awesome.”
Starting in 8th put Tomy in a tough spot. Sandwiched between the all-wheel drive Volvo and the big power of the Corvettes, it was all Tomy could do to get through turn one while trying to hold his ground.
“I think I could have done a better job on the start,” said Drissi. “The standing start is unusual because you have a lot of cars with different characteristics coming off the line. Starting in 8th leaves you surrounded. The Corvettes are coming with big guns and the Volvos literally leap of the line. By time you get to the first turn, it’s chaos. You’ve got to give and take or you won’t be around at the end. I just kept reminding myself to get settled in and stay in touch with the leaders.”
“I honestly believe we had a podium car today,” added Tomy. “I can’t say enough about the TruSpeed guys. The car’s are prepped to perfection and Patrick [Long] and Rob [Morgan] are continually giving me input on how to get the most from these Porsche Cup cars. It’s a great team… I’m really happy over here.”
Both rounds 9 and 10 of The Pirelli World Challenge will air On VERSUS Sunday, September 18 5:30pm Eastern (re-air Sept. 22 @ 3:30pm EST) The Series next heads to Monterey, California at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, September 16-18.
Meanwhile Tomy will head east when the American Le Mans Series returns to the Atlantic seaboard with the first running of the Baltimore Grand Prix Saturday, September 3, 4:30 p.m. ET. The circuit in downtown Baltimore will run along the city`s Inner Harbor, making the venue one of the most picturesque in ALMS history. The race will be streamed live on ESPN3.com beginning at 4:15 p.m. ET, Sept. 3 and air with a tape delayed feature on ABC at 4 p.m. ET, Sept. 4.
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 competing in 7 rounds and 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. Tomy is married to Lacy Livingston Drissi.
Find out more about Tomy at http://www.tomydrissi.com or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/tomydrissi/. You can follow Tomy on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tomydrissi.
Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 : Chip-wrecked. In theatres December 16 2011
“On vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship, Alvin, Simon, Theodore and the Chipettes are up to their usual antics, turning the ship into their personal playground, until they become ‘chipwrecked’ on a desert island. As Dave Seville frantically searches for his AWOL charges, the ‘Munks and Chipettes do what they do best – sing, dance and wreak havoc. But they’re in for a surprise when they embark on an island adventure with their new friend – a castaway who’s more than a match for The Chipmunks and The Chipettes.”
Pirelli World Challenge
Now in its 22nd consecutive season, the Pirelli World Challenge is North America’s top production car-based racing championship. Divided into three separate categories (World Challenge GT, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge Touring Car), each race features a thrilling standing start, adrenaline filled door-to-door action and world-class drivers. The Pirelli World Challenge features cars from the world’s most popular manufacturers – race-prepped versions of the cars driven on the streets. Sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, the series races at North America’s premier road and temporary street courses.
Photo Credit: John Thawley http:/www.johnthawley.com