Autobahn: RSR race report

MORE MECHANICAL WOES FOR DRISSI AT AUTOBAHN

EAST LANSING, Michigan (August 2, 2010) - RSR's Tomy Drissi again had a fast car this weekend when taking the green flag in the inaugural SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Harrah's Autobahn Grand Prix presented by Mazda, but an early mechanical failure took him out of the chase for the win.

After running strong in the practice sessions, followed by a qualifying run that saw him record a time of 2:19.316 (91.992 mph) on the 3.56-mile permanent road course, Drissi started the seventh Trans-Am race of the season in the third spot. Taking advantage of a solid start, the Californian moved into second on the first lap. However, on Lap 2, the #5 Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps Jaguar XKR had a front suspension failure sending him off the course and into the tire barrier.

"We had another great start," said Drissi. "I passed second place and could have made an attempt on first, but I didn't want to push too hard so early on - I didn't want to have anything go wrong. The #5 Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps Jaguar XKR was definitely fast. Unfortunately we then had a mechanical failure. I was doing about 100 miles an hour and the right front suspension just broke. It threw me off the track onto the grass and into the tire wall. I was able to get out on my own and just limp back to the pits to see what my RSR team could do for me.

"The crew thrashed to fix the corner steering and fortunately Lopez's Lopesport Team came to our rescue with the parts we needed to make the repair and get back out there. Ironically enough, we went back out just before the leader, Tony Ave and RJ Lopez. I let them go by me so I didn't get in the middle of their race, but we were so easily staying with them. I wanted to see what we had, so I treated it like I was in third place, and I was able to pass them both. We just had the fastest car for the longest time, which was proof that we definitely had the winning car. But, we gave up another one. It is just so frustrating because we know where we should be - in victory circle. But a huge thank you goes out to the Lopesport Team and to my crew for giving me the chance to get back out there and take the checkered flag."

Drissi was able to bring it home for a seventh-place finish. He remains third in the 2010 championship standings with three races to go.

The Trans-am Series will take a short break and return to competition at Brainerd International Raceway for the TA Coca-Cola Muscle Car Shootout, September 4-5.

-source: rst