Lime Rock: RSR race report

RSR TRANS-AM SQUAD RETURNS TO THE PODIUM; DRISSI SECOND AT LIME ROCK

EAST LANSING, Michigan (July 6, 2010) - The RSR Trans-Am squad returns to form at Lime Rock Park as Tomy Drissi recorded his third podium result in the first half of the 2010 SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series.

The holiday weekend's festivities kicked off on Friday with two practice sessions that saw Drissi second in both. Saturday morning hosted the qualifying session to determine the afternoon's race grid. Drissi recorded a time of 49.462 (111.358 mph), just three tenths off the pole winning time.

"We have a little momentum coming back," said Drissi. "Being able to run a full race and race hard was really great, after a disappointing last lap retirement at Road America. The team did an excellent job preparing the #5 Knight & Day Jaguar XKR. We were really close and running well all through practice and qualifying - we did everything right. The race went well and we put up a fight. I was pacing the leader, Tony Ave, but then after about ten laps into the race we started to lose a little bit of time. I was pushing hard, so hard that I had lost the rear tires which caused the handling to get a little off. I kept pushing to close the gap, but at the same time I just drove a smart race to earn that second place finish."

Drissi maintained the second position for the entire 59-lap race. He posted his fastest race time of 50.527 (109.011 mph) and earned 116 championship points for finishing as the runner up. Drissi is third in the Trans-Am point standings after five rounds, with a total of 533 points. Tony Ave leads with 635 points followed by RJ Lopez at 544.

Drissi added, "It feels good to return to the podium, and it gave a great opportunity to promote the movie Knight & Day out in theaters now. It was a great race for myself and RSR, and I want to thank 20th Century Fox for their continued support. I am looking forward to going to Toronto. I think we have a real good shot to return to victory circle. We continue to rebound, but Ave is on a strong winning streak right now, we have got to break that. We have fives races left this season, while it sounds like lot of time left, we can't let one moment slip away from us as we continue to fight for the 2010 championship title."

Next up for the 2010 SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series is Round 6 of 10 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 16-18, as part of the Honda Indy Toronto & Acura Sports Car Challenge weekend. North America's oldest surviving professional road racing series brings a rich history and tradition in its return to Toronto's street course.

-source: rsr