Drewer to race IMSA Lites in USA in 2008.

Newly crowned 2007 Australian Thundersports champion Tom Drewer has been signed to race for the PVM Team in the American LeMans Series’ IMSA Lites in the USA next year (2008).


‘Signing to drive in the USA has really capped off a stellar 2007 for me. I had my first Fujitsu V8 Supercar drive, I won first time out in the V8 Giants category in Garry Wilmington’s car, we won the Thundersports title and now I have a full season next year in IMSA Lites in America’, an elated Drewer said this week.

Drewer said his drive in the USA had come about as a result of driving the Australian factory entered WEST car owned by Greg Steer in the Thundersports category.

‘The guys in the American factory have been keeping an eye on the results and the data from our car in Australia and this is how the opportunity arose’.

Drewer will be racing a brand new tunnel version of the WEST in the L2 division of the IMSA Lites Series for the Atlanta based PVM Team that has direct links with the factory.

‘I leave for the USA early January and the team have found me a place to live, so it’s all great. I will be shaking down the new car soon after I get there in advance of a three day official test at Sebring, where my first race will be in March at the American LeMans 12-hour meeting’.

Drewer said the decision to take the drive in America had been an ‘easy one to make’.

‘I was in line for a test for a main game V8 Supercar team and would still like to take that opportunity, but
I think racing in the USA can only help my career. The opportunity to race at circuits like Sebring, Road Atlanta, Lime Rock, and Laguna Seca doesn’t come along every day of the week and I will be going all out
to perform well in a totally new environment’.

‘I guess I will have to spend plenty of time on the PlayStation learning the tracks, but at least I know the car pretty well, although the chassis I will be driving in the USA will be a lot quicker with its high down force tunnel floor and it will also have a upgraded electronic paddle shift as compared to the Australian car’.

‘I have resigned my job as an Art Director at an advertising agency and sold up everything to go and live in the USA and while I am looking for sponsors both in Australia and the USA the drive is secured, so now it’s up to me to prove I am worthy of some commercial backing’.

Drewer said he had already received some support from individuals who would have their name on the race car in the USA.

‘Its been great that people who have followed my racing have said they would like to help and so every
time I step into the car over there I know there are people back in Australia who are supporting me with their name on the car. I can guarantee I will give it my best shot and won’t leave anything in the garage in my quest to succeed’.

Prior to racing the WEST in the AMRS Thundersports Championship, Drewer raced in the National Saloon Car Series coming 9th in the title chase in 2005 and was also the SA Formula Vee Champion and came 5th in the Formula Vee nationals in his rookie year. He began karting at the age of 7 winning numerous titles.

Drewer said he was extremely grateful to Greg Steer from WEST Race Cars in Australia and Terry Little for giving him the opportunity to drive for WEST in Australia and now in America.