Road Atlanta: Tomy Drissi night practice report

Drissi Continues Improvement at Road Atlanta in Night Practice for Petit Le Mans

BRASELTON, Ga. (Sept. 23, 2004) -- Tomy Drissi, and co-drivers Melanie Paterson and Michael Lewis improved their time during third-round practice Thursday night for Saturday's Petit Le Mans American Le Mans Series race at Road Atlanta. Driving the No. 12 Elektra -- Looks Can Kill Only in Theaters Jan. 14 Riley & Scott Mk. IIIc Elan LMP1 car, Drissi's team posted a 1:17.618-minute lap (117.808 miles per hour). The lap was nearly three seconds faster than the team's effort in second-round practice this afternoon.

Drissi said the team found a glitch in the fuel-injection map toward the end of the session. Though he noted there is still work to be done, Drissi said he thinks they'll be ready for qualifying tomorrow.

"There was a problem in the software; one which had dogged the team all weekend," said Drissi. "They found it at the end of the session, and, although we improved our time, we should be much better tomorrow.

Drissi ran most of the second half of the two-hour session as darkness enveloped Road Atlanta.

"Driving at night is difficult to get used to," said Drissi. "You try to find reference points, then flashes from the photographers hit you right in the apex of the turn. I got more comfortable the more laps I turned.

"Although we're fighting a bit of an uphill battle this weekend, it's a long race and I still have my eyes on the podium."

Chevy presents Petit Le Mans will get the green flag at noon (EDT) on Saturday, Sept. 25. The race will cover 1,000 miles, or 10 hours, whichever comes first on Road Atlanta's 2.54-mile, 12-turn permanent road course. Qualifying will be held tomorrow, along with an ALMS Fan Forum and an open paddock autograph session featuring all ALMS drivers. Fourth-round practice is scheduled for tomorrow from 9:45 a.m. -- 10:45 a.m.

LIVE race highlights will air on SPEED at 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and the conclusion of the event at 7:30 p.m. All times are EDT.

Tomy Drissi, who hails from Hollywood, Calif., is a longtime sports car racer and has competed in the American Le Mans Series, Trans-Am and vintage racing. Drissi owns award-winning motion picture advertising firm Drissi Advertising.

-dm-