Trans-Am
Tomy Drissi - Improving by the numbers
Drissi - Improving By The Numbers Rocketsports Racing driver, Tomy Drissi, set out to have his best season in the 2004 Motorock Trans-Am Series and he's doing it. Piloting the No. 5 Jaguar XKR, sponsored by a variety of 20th Century Fox movies ...
Published: Jul 23, 2004, 2:28 PM
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Drissi - Improving By The Numbers
Rocketsports Racing driver, Tomy Drissi, set out to have his best season in the 2004 Motorock Trans-Am Series and he's doing it. Piloting the No. 5 Jaguar XKR, sponsored by a variety of 20th Century Fox movies like THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, ALIEN vs. PREDATOR and DODGEBALL, Drissi has refined his driving style and has become a consistent contender.
Since his rookie year in 1999 when he won the "Rookie of the Year" award, Drissi has continually improved his performance. In 2000, he earned the "Most Improved Driver" award proving his ability to use every race as a learning opportunity. "I've learning quite a bit from Paul (Gentilozzi) over the last few years," said Drissi. "With every race I'm learning something new. It's helped me improve my driving and allowed me to run more consistently. In order to win races and championship you have to consistently run up front."
The Albertsons 100 at the Portland International Raceway marked another milestone for Drissi as he earned the first pole position of his Trans-Am career and raced to the first second place finish of his career. His first win came in the 2000 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and he claims three third place finishes bringing the number of podium to six in 64 starts for Drissi. Drissi picked up his second runner up finish two weeks later in Cleveland.
"Our finishes this year show that as a team we're improving," remarked Drissi. "The guys are giving me good cars, they handle well and are fast. We haven't qualified outside the top-6 this year." The No. 5 Jaguar XKR has an average starting position of 3.8 this year. Prior to 2004, Drissi's best annual average was 6th.
Drissi's race performance is at a career best. With three top-5 finishes his average finishing position is 7.8, improving from 9.8 in 2002. During the Trans-Am on the Tarmac in Cleveland, Drissi set a new one lap track record, rocketing around the 2.106 mile temporary airport circuit in 1:13.794 (102.74 mph). His lap broke the old record of 1:14.249 (102.110 mph) set in 2000 by that years eventual series champion, Brian Simo.
With the combination of his intense driving and a crew with over 63 years of combined racing experience, Drissi sixth season in the Trans-Am Series is sure to be his best ever
-rsr-
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