Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA

Road Atlanta: Tomy Drissi qualifying report

Drissi's Petit Le Mans Outlook Still Bright after Crash in qualifying BRASELTON, Ga. (Sept. 24, 2004) -- Tomy Drissi and co-drivers Michael Lewis and Melanie Paterson will be forced to start at the back of the field in tomorrow's Petit Le Mans ...

Drissi's Petit Le Mans Outlook Still Bright after Crash in qualifying

BRASELTON, Ga. (Sept. 24, 2004) -- Tomy Drissi and co-drivers Michael Lewis and Melanie Paterson will be forced to start at the back of the field in tomorrow's Petit Le Mans ALMS race at Road Atlanta. Lewis, who was qualifying the No. 12 Elektra -- Looks Can Kill Only in Theaters Jan. 14 Riley & Scott Mk. IIIc Elan LMP1 car this afternoon, was ninth on the grid when he spun and hit a tire barrier on his second lap. Lewis was unhurt, though the car suffered significant bodywork damage.

The team will start last due to having to change four tires. ALMS rule stipulate a car must qualify and start the race on one set of tires. James Weaver won the pole with in the No. 16 Lola EX257/AER.

"The car was as fast as it has been all weekend," explained Drissi. "Mike was on his way to a really good qualifying lap. He was already into the 1:17s on his second lap, which is as fast as we've gone all weekend. He was on relatively cold tires, so this car has a lot more potential. We'll know more after tomorrow morning's warm-up.

"This is a long, long race," continued Drissi. "It's a 10-hour race. It's going to take some luck and some skill, but we're still hopeful that we can be on the podium. There is a brand-new engine in this car this weekend. We think we've worked the bugs out of it. The crew will fix the car and we'll be ready for tomorrow."

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. A final half-hour warm-up is scheduled for 8 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.

-tdr-

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Road Atlanta: Champion Racing qualifying report
Next article Road Atlanta: ACEMCO Motorsports qualifying report

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA