Lites: Tom Drewer Lime Rock preview

TOM DREWER PREPARES FOR LIME ROCK IN USA
New look but same approach for Drewer at Lime Rock.

Tom Drewer heads to Lime Rock, July 11-12, 2008, and the halfway point of the 2008 IMSA Lites season, with a brand new look but the same old approach.

The young Australian driver, who is currently dominating the IMSA Lites L2 Championship, winning all of the first four rounds of the season at Sebring and Utah, has swapped from Australian sporting colours to the traditional racing colours of his sponsor, the Daily Planet, an icon of the city of Melbourne, Australia.

"I've replaced the green and gold with the red and black synonymous with previous Daily Planet racing cars in the Australian V8 Supercar and Two Litre Touring Cars categories. But I'm still very patriotic and now there are a number of kangaroos on the car."

The iconic Daily Planet became Drewer's major sponsor just prior to rounds 3 and 4 as part of the Utah Grand Prix, held at Miller Motorsports Park.

"We didn't have time before the rounds at Utah to change the livery, but I guess we repaid the belief and support John Trimble and the Daily Planet have shown in the best way possible by winning both races at Utah with Daily Planet on the car.

"But it was very important to me to run the red and black. I can't thank John enough for his support. It is fantastic to have support from Australian business. Racing internationally was a big goal of mine and I am very proud to be flying the Australian flag here in America. That was just step one. Now we've got to concentrate on working towards and achieving all the other goals I have."

Drewer will go into rounds 5 and 6 in his Rookie year of IMSA Lites at The American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix, Lakeville, Connecticut on top of the L2 Championship, and after achieving a very impressive second outright at Utah.

Although he's starting to earn the nickname 'The Flying Kangaroo', Drewer insists nothing has changed.

"I didn't know what to expect when I came here. I approach every race the same- I always strive to win. But this year every race is a brand new track, a brand new experience.

"I have a lot to learn everywhere- that is my goal. Just to be down to earth and to learn how to race here in America, and to prove myself.

"We have won some races, yes, but there is a long way to go in the Championship and the points can easily get very close. I am ultra focussed about my car- ask the WEST guys!

"But they know I have faith in them- I just double-check everything because all the hard work can come unstuck as a result of some ten dollar part not doing its job. It's part of the heartache of racing and you just have to minimise the risk.

"I heard a great statement in regards to Penske the other day. Apparently their motto is 'Preparation is the key to success'. I totally believe that, and I'm constantly working hard to improve every aspect of my preparation towards racing, from fitness, to the car, to setup, mental approach, everything. I am looking for a big step up next year and I feel I'm more than ready.

"In Utah I started working with a driver coach, Randy Aust. It is fantastic to have someone with the same mind set, the same approach as me. I'm looking forward to building on this relationship at Lime Rock. He is an extremely valuable addition to my team.

"But it isn't just Randy. My WEST Team, Eric, Jake, Kevin, Caesar, Cam and my team-mate Jim, my Australian manager, Terry Little, Vern Schuppan, my family and friends, Greg Steer, the individuals you can see on my car that are supporting me, my mother, and the person that I have most to thank, my father, Mike, are all so important. I couldn't be doing this without any of them.

"It's actually my father's birthday this weekend. He has given up so much to get me to this point. Dad, I'll be racing for you, mate, this weekend."

This season is Drewer's first racing in North America, after winning the 2007 Australian Thundersports Sportscar Championship in WEST Race Cars' Australian factory car, and gaining one off drives in the Australian Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series and V8 Giants categories last year.

-credit: tomdrewer.com