Article appearing in The Advertiser newspaper upon Tom Drewer's return to his birthplace of Adelaide, Australia.
"Motorsport is tough going if you don't have access to the big dollars. Just ask Tom Drewer.
Drewer, now, 24, took the plunge and sold everything in Adelaide to take his CV showing a few minor category national titles to the US where he got into IMSA Lites at the start of 2008..."
Click on image to read entire article.
Winner Drewer still does it tough. (The Advertiser)
The World Stage. (AutoAction)
Phillip Mahoney sums up the year in racing for Aussies around the world, including Tom Drewer, for Australian Auto Action magazine's 2009 Racer of the Year Awards.
"Last season Tom Drewer dominated the IMSA Lites 2 class and progressed to the Lites 1 class for this season..."
Click on image to read article.
Drewer speaks French for Endurance-Info.com
Well, not quite, but Laurent Mercier from the French based Endurance-Info.com recently interviewed (and translated) Drewer about his past, 2009 and beyond. If you do speak the language of love you can read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
"Malgré son jeune âge de 24 ans, Tom Drewer s'est déjà forgé un nom en sport automobile. Né à Adélaïde, l'Australien réside dorénavant à Athens (Georgie). Soutenu par Nikki Lauda, via Lauda-Air dès ses débuts en karting, Tom a ensuite poursuivi en V8 Supercar avant de partir pour les Etats-Unis afin de poursuivre sa carrière avec un but ultime : les 24 Heures du Mans..."
"A ce titre, il reçoit les conseils avisés de Vern Schuppan (ancien vainqueur de l'épreuve). L'an passé il s'oriente vers le championnat IMSA Lites L2, qui se déroule durant les meetings American Le Mans Series. Résultat de la saison : douze courses et dix victoires. Le titre de champion en poche, il passe cette année à l'échelon supérieur où il décroche plusieurs beaux résultats. A l'i ssue de la m anche de Road Atlanta, Tom s'est essayé à la Formula Le Mans en vue de la saison prochaine, avec les débuts de la catégorie LMPC dans la série américaine Le Mans..." To view and read the fhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifull article .
Passionate and Quick - The Hallmarks of a Future Star. (FeedMeSportsCars.com)
See article written by Sam Tickell.
"When one thinks about Australian Champion drivers trying to make it overseas, you think of Mark Webber, Casey Stoner, David Brabham and soon you will be thinking of Adelaide native, Tom Drewer.
Drewer burst onto the international scene in 2008 when he left his career as an up-and-coming advertising artist to chase his dream of becoming a professional racecar driver – a sportscar driver at that.
He races with success in Australia before his move to the USA, winning the Thundersports title in a West WR1000 and proving handy in saloon car races..."
To read full article .
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Drewer coaches 007 to victory at Daytona.
“I’ve actually never been to that circuit,” said Drewer as he answered the phone call from Steve Loudin about coaching him around the Daytona International Speedway road course.
But that’s been typical for Australia’s Tom Drewer who has only been racing in America for two years. In 2008 every circuit he ventured to with the American Le Mans Series’ IMSA Lites category was brand new to the young up and coming Aussie, and this year Drewer had another two new circuits to deal with.
“I love racing here in America. They’re not just new circuits to me. They’re the circuits I’ve always dreamed of racing at; Sebring, Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta, and I won and got track records at all of them last year. This year I put the Lites 1 on pole with the fastest lap of the weekend at New Jersey, first time there.
So I didn’t mind taking on the challenge to learn Daytona, and make sure Steve got the most out of his weekend. The biggest Challenge was I wouldn’t actually ever be driving the track. The closest I got was sitting in the passenger seat.”
But that didn’t seem to sway Drewer who coached Steve Loudin and his gold ‘007 Bond’ Tricel Honeycomb Dodge Viper Competition Coupe to all three victories, in class, during the event...
“It was fantastic to work with Steve and get the most out of him and the 007 Viper around probably the most famous circuit in North America.
I tell you, I think everyone says the same four-letter word when you drive out of the tunnel into the infield of Daytona for the first time. The banking is amazingly steep. I have a newfound respect for those NASCAR boys. Those turns are rather bumpy and a lot narrower than they look on TV.
Steve did a tremendous job. I have a few procedures I like to do, to learn a new circuit and Steve used those to quickly find the limit without over stepping it, which is pretty important given the walls are right there.
He pushed as hard as he could, and never gave up, and kept reeling off the lap-times.
I must also thank Steve's car owner, his wife Kit, for entertaining my girlfriend Sarah over the weekend.
It was another very successful weekend for the NARRA / Viper Days organisation, a fantastic result for Steve, and it gave me great insight to Daytona for when I finally get to pound-around-it in anger.”
Drewer sets sights on Prototypes for 2010 after testing LMP Challenge car.
Australian racing driver Tom Drewer has his sights firmly set on a prototype drive for 2010 after testing the V8 powered Courage Oreca LMP Challenge car that will be competing in the American Le Mans Series next year.
Drewer is in discussions with his current team, Comprent Motor Sports about driving a Challenge car next year. However, the determined and ambitious Drewer has also confirmed he has been approached by multiple ALMS Prototype teams too.
“I’ve been really busy since Petit Le Mans. The following day I was invited to test the new LMP Challenge car, and the following week two LMP1 teams contacted me about the 2010 season after seeing me race during the Petit week. Since then I have been to Monterey for discussions with multiple other ALMS teams and I’ve just got back from a very serious meeting with one of those teams.
I have some fantastic backers from Australia, including John Trimble and Ubantu Resort, and I’m currently seeking American partners solidify a prototype assault on the 2010 ALMS season. Offers of top-level drives mean I now really have something to offer those sponsors with the glamour, prestige and massive television exposure of the American Le Mans Series throughout the USA and the rest of the world.
The great thing is now high-level teams are calling me, rather than the other way around.”
Following his test in the LMPC car Drewer feels he is ready to make transition to full-sized prototypes after driving in the IMSA Lites feeder category for the past two years.
“Finally getting the chance to drive a big prototype was fantastic. I felt extremely comfortable in it. It’s really just like a big (IMSA) Lites 1 car. It was quite similar to my Ubantu Resort Élan DP-02 in terms of how it responded and reacted, even the grip versus power. Obviously it just had much, much more of both.
In some ways it was actually easier to drive. I’m used to using a fair bit of muscle to turn the Élan DP-02 in, particularly as we generally run a reasonable amount of caster to cure bump-steer. The LMPC was very light on the steering and very direct. It was a case of telling myself to slow my hands down in the high-speed corners.
But where the LMPC just has it all over the Lites 1 car is the Carbon-Carbon brakes, and the power and noise of the big Corvette sourced V8. Every lap into turn 10a at Road Atlanta I felt I could brake later and later. The stopping power is awesome, and there is just nothing like the sound of a V8.
I really think the ALMS is on a winner with the LMPC. Everyone I speak to in racing always reminisces about the good old Can-Am days. Big loud V8s in beautiful, sleek racing cars. They have captured this with the LMPC. I think the American public will love them, and they’ll certainly relate to the powerplant. I can’t wait to get back in one or an out-right LMP car.
I’m determined to become Australia’s next Le Mans winner. The next David Brabham. I feel the last two years has prepared me well for an LMP or LMPC assault next year. I’m ready.”
Drewer won the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship in his first year of competition in North America. He won ten from twelve races, all at circuits he had never driven on. This led to Australia’s AutoAction magazine proclaiming Drewer the ‘Best Overseas Rookie’ for 2008 and Wheels Magazine putting Drewer in their ‘Hot Half-Dozen Watchlist’.
Drewer’s performance in the faster Lites 1 category this year also captured the attention of Australia’s motor racing press. World famous cartoonist John ‘Stonie’ Stoneham penciling Drewer in as a future Le Mans 24 Hour winner in one of his cartoons after Drewer qualified on pole for the New Jersey round of the championship. Drewer finished his 2009 IMSA Lites campaign on a high, taking a podium (2nd place) for the second year in a row during the Petit Le Mans event held last month at Road Atlanta.
Tom Drewer talks about his LMPC test. (FeedMeSportsCars.com)
See Article written by Sam Tickell. "There has been buzz around the internet about the LMPC class that will be introduced in the ALMS in 2010. As part of a series of articles that we will be bringing you on Australian driver, Tom Drewer, we were able to get the young Australian driver’s take on these new cars.
Having race in IMSA Lites 1 in 2009 and winning the Championship in IMSA Lites 2 in 2008, Drewer certainly has a pedigree in feeder sports car series.
On the LMPC car, Drewer said “It really feels just like a big Lites 1 car! I was actually surprised how similar it was to the Élan DP-02 in terms of how it responded and reacted, and the grip vs power...”
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For complete article .
Drewer interviewed about Le Mans Challenge class at Monterey.
Tom Drewer was interviewed by Jeremy Shaw today for the American Le Mans Series 'Radio Le Mans' during warm-up for the Monterey Sports Car Championship at Laguna Seca.
Drewer discussed his prospects for next year saying he's "pounding a lot of pavement this weekend. I've been taking to a couple of prototype team owners about P1 and P2, but I'm also looking at the new (ALMS Prototype) Challenge class. I was lucky enough to be invited to test the car the other day and it's fantastic. To me it really encapsulates the old CAN-AM days- a big beautiful sounding V8 in a beautiful looking sportscar."
Drewer on podium at Petit Le Mans two years in a row.
Tom Drewer has claimed a podium finish for the second successive year at the Road Atlanta circuit in Georgia USA at the running of the Petit Le Mans event.
The ex- Adelaide driver took second place in the pent ultimate 2009 IMSA Lites round, backing up his two victories at the iconic event last year in the L2 category that also saw him take the Championship in his first year of international competition.
Drewer started his 2009 Road Atlanta campaign extremely strongly on the fast undulating 2.54mile (4km) circuit with his Ubantu Resort sponsored car second fastest until the dying seconds of qualifying when he was bumped to fourth.
“Qualifying was like a world title fight. We were trading fastest times all session long and it was a matter of who landed the last blow with the fastest lap before the bell rang to finish the session. It was a real blast and I guess any of about six of seven drivers could have had pole”, Drewer said.
In Race 1 Drewer and his Ubantu Resort Elan showed electrifying pace and he pushed Canadian Kyle Marcelli until the very end after the pair eventually broke away from the pack in the highly competitive 25 car field.
“Like in qualifying I had a ball. The race was run all the way without a caution or a pace car and we really went for it.
For about the first third of the race the top ten were all backed up with each other, but then Kyle and I broke away and in the end we finished more than 20 seconds ahead of the guy in third. We just kept on punching out 180kph average lap speeds, but I just couldn’t put the pass on Kyle and he deserved the win. He drove a great race”
With grid positions for Race 2 determined by lap times in the first event, Drewer was elevated to the front row by virtue of him turning a lap of 1:21.059 - faster than Marcelli - but an agonising 6 thousands of a second off the pole time set by Gary Gibson
In the race Drewer again pushed hard from the green and slotted into second, but then Marcelli attempted a pass around the outside into turn 10 and the two cars touched.
“I wanted to give Kyle racing room and I figure he didn’t try to pull into me, but when we made contact my car got a little out of shape and it turned me round into the gravel.
It’s a little unusual to come out second best in an incident like this when you are on the inside, but I’m not blaming Kyle and I figure it was a true racing incident. We race to win and drive tough but as far as I am concerned it was just one of those things. I figure I will still buy Kyle a beer and a pie from the Aussie pie shop here in Atlanta when I get a chance!
Unfortunately I got beached in the gravel and it took forever to get out of it. I was nearly a lap down on the leader but I just went for it from the back of the field and set the second fastest lap of the race, and went faster than the three guys on the podium despite all the traffic I had to pass.
I was sort of hoping for a yellow to bunch it all up. It’s funny because most of the time I hate the caution laps, but anyway it didn’t happen so I passed about 10 cars and finished in 13th.
It was a great race and it’s sometimes like that. You don’t get the result at the end but you know you when you are in the zone and I was very positive about my drive. I had a good car, I had the speed, and I didn’t leave anything in the garage. That’s why I go racing.
I guess my podium in race 1 and the drive in race 2 made some impact also because one of the guys from the Audi Le Mans team and plenty of others in the paddock took the time to give me a pat on the back. That’s nice when you get that sort of feedback from guys who really know the business.”
Drewer now looks to winter testing in the USA for the 2010 season before returning home to Australia for Christmas.
“I am determined to make another progression in 2010. I’m already speaking to multiple teams about different rides next year and I might just be testing one of those possibilities very soon. So as they say, stay tuned.
I didn’t win the Championship this year, but I am a better, more complete driver than I was 12 months ago, and two years ago when I left Australia to have a real go.
Pole in New Jersey was cool and to podium here at Road Atlanta was really great.
A huge thanks to everyone that has made this season possible- Ubantu Resort, Nichole Jennings and John Trimble, my dad Mike and mom Jacquie, Terry Little, and everyone who has backed my car from Australia.
Then there is my trainer Gary Daniels and Health Defense, Comprent Motor Sport team owner Kevin Kloepfer, my crew guys Terry Jinks, Casey Free and John Stephens and all the others back at the shop. They have all done an awesome job.”
Drewer scores first podium in Lites 1.
Tom Drewer finished second in Race 1 at the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans event today. His lap time also put his Ubantu Resort car on the front row for race 2 tomorrow.
Drewer heads into ‘hometown’ season finale at Petit Le Mans.
This week Australian Tom Drewer will compete in the final two rounds of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire as part of the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda 6.
The event held at Road Atlanta, Braselton is effectively Drewer’s home event as he’s been staying in Georgia for the past two years during the racing season.
“My US base has been Georgia for two years now. Both West Races Cars, who I drove for last year, and Comprent Motor Sports are based here and I have been staying in Atlanta and Athens, both only about an hour from the circuit. I guess you could say it’s a home away from home.”
So does the young Le Mans hopeful feel that this gives him a hometown advantage?
“I don’t think so. Although living close to the circuit has allowed me to visit a few race meetings I have been on a very limited budget so it’s not like I’ve done many laps around it. Its not since the start of the year that I have turned a wheel around here. This will only be my fourth or fifth time on the circuit. Most of the guys I am competing against have been driving this place for years.”
However, his lack of experience around the fast undulating 2.54mile (4km) track didn’t sway Drewer last year. From pole position Drewer won his first two races at Road Atlanta setting a new track lap record in the process. It was his 7th and 8th win of the 2008 season and allowed Drewer to wrap up the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship with two rounds remaining.
This year Drewer has moved up a class and is driving a Comprent Motor Sport prepared Élan DP-02 in the Lites 1 category.
“2009 has certainly been more of a rollercoaster than last year. It has in many ways been more of a learning year too, even though 2008 was my first here in America.
I proved in New Jersey I have what it takes. I am focused on finishing the year, here at Road America on another positive note.”
In New Jersey Drewer put his Ubantu Resort sponsored car on pole position with the fastest lap of the weekend and dominated the first half of the race.
“I’m determined to end the season on a high. It’s the best way I can repay all those who are helping me achieve my dreams and goal of becoming Australia’s next Le Mans winner.
I want to use this opportunity to thank everyone who is behind me. Particularly John Trimble and Nichole Jennings from Ubantu Resort, my mother and father for giving up so much, Terry Little and all of my friends, family and fans back home in Australia who share my belief and give up their hard-earned cash to make this happen. We are getting closer.
I am ready to make the next step. Part of my focus this year has been developing into a well-rounded driver.
I have been working on my physical and mental fitness with Gary Daniels and Health Defense. I have tested a GT2 car and have another test announcement to make soon. I am already talking to teams about next year, looking at both GT and prototype drives including the new ALMS Le Mans prototype Challenge class using the Oreca-Courage P2 Formula Le Mans car.
But my focus for this week is Road Atlanta. The Petit Le Mans event is always fantastic. Looks like it may be a wet race week so that could be interesting. It’s an extremely challenging circuit in the dry!”
Drewer and the IMSA Lites are scheduled to hit the track on Tuesday morning for free practise. Official practise takes place Wednesday, Qualifying and Race 1 at 5:20pm Thursday and Race 2 at 12:10pm Friday.
Canada didn't 'play out' for Drewer.
Tom Drewer couldn’t replicate the success of last year during this year’s Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport for Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship.
2008 was Drewer’s first race at the famous Canadian circuit and he marked the occasion winning the IMSA Lites 2 category. This year driving in IMSA Lites 1, the up-and-coming Australian had what he described as a ‘lack-lustre’ weekend for both himself and the Comprent team despite demon passes and tough, hard-fought races.
“2009 has certainly been more of a rollercoaster ride than last year. We made a good progression and peaked with taking pole position at New Jersey, and although I’ve been up the pointy end of the field and consistently collecting points we just haven’t been able to convert into podiums yet.
I came to Canada looking to put all the drama of Road America - where I got incorrectly black flagged - behind me. But it just seemed the team; both my teammate and I struggled to find the pace all weekend, especially straight-line speed.
As usual it was another fantastic event at Mosport and the Canadians came out in droves despite the weather that turned from high heat to rainstorms all weekend long. I think my highlight was letting a few lucky young race fans get a thrill by taking a seat in the Number 1 Ubantu Resort car for photos.”
Drewer started Round 11 in tenth position after qualifying was abandoned due to heavy fog on the high-speed 2.5mile (4km), 10-corner track located 1 hour east of Toronto, near Bowmanville Ontario.
“Both Charlie (Shears) and I were dealt a bit of a blow when qualifying was aborted. We had both been working away during the practice sessions, collecting data to pool for qualifying, rather than get outright times so we stared down the order.
I made a fantastic start though and immediately passed (Anthony) Nicolosi to be right behind my teammate. We duelled it out for a few laps. Charlie wasn’t giving me an inch, and I didn’t give him an inch back. I felt I was faster and pounced when he pressured (Gary) Gibson going into Turn 2 and they both ran wide, with Gibson running off and hitting the wall.
After the restart I pushed on and caught Antonio Downs. As I was catching him he had a bit of a moment but heading through Turn 8 his car was at full speed. Into 9, Antonio just checked up and I had nowhere to go. I know Antonio well and I think he must have had a problem; he wouldn’t do anything on purpose. It was just one of those things.
I avoided major contact with him but locked up the rears in the process and the car spun into the wall breaking the rear hub. It was a shame because we were on for another top 6 finish.”
Round 11 was won by Matt Downs. Round 12, won by Canadian local Kyle Marcelli, saw Drewer start in 9th, one position behind his teammate Charlie Shears.
“Again, I got off to another strong start and battled pretty hard with my team-mate and passed him before getting stuck behind (Johnny) Meriggi. He was so slow through Turn 2, but if you try anything on there you’ll be in the wall, and he blocked me heading into Three. I made quite a few solid attempts to pass him both in Three and Five and each time he just moved over and forced me off the road. I was quite surprised he didn’t get penalised for blocking, actually.
Due to one of those attempts I lost momentum out of Five and Charlie and Nicolosi got passed me. But I quickly redeemed myself, making an awesome move through Turn 3 to take Charlie on the inside and Meriggi on the outside. Meriggi then immediately started blocking Charlie and I guess Charlie got sick of that and put him into the wall at Three to bring out a full course yellow.
With two to go the race was restarted and coming up the back straight for the last time I passed Nicolosi to take the flag in eighth. It was a good, tough race but a pretty lack-lustre result.
I guess I can just take comfort in the fact I out raced my teammate in both races. In a situation where the team doesn’t have the pace that is all you can hope for. Regardless, a potential 6th and 8th weren’t the results I was looking for. I am still looking for my first podium of the season.
Comprent is a fantastic team who knows how to win and we know the Ubantu Resort car can be fast as we proved at New Jersey. I know the guys will put in the hard yards to get back at the front, and so will I. We are testing at Road Atlanta before the next race and, although I won’t be driving due to budget, I’ll be up there too learning as much as I can from the sidelines to make sure I’m as prepared as I can be for the season finale at the Petit Le Mans event.”
The last two rounds of the 2009 IMSA Lites presented by Frisby Performance Tire season will be held at the Petit Le Mans event at Road Atlanta on Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25.
Drewer can’t wait for Canada.
Young Australian driver Tom Drewer heads to the world famous Mosport circuit this weekend for Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire, as part of the American Le Mans Series Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport, August 27-30.
Drewer can’t wait to hit the high-speed 2.5mile (4km), 10-corner track located 1 hour east of Toronto, near Bowmanville Ontario. After all, it is one of the fastest of the season, with Drewer expecting his Ubantu Resort Élan DP-02 prototype to average over 116mph (185km/h) and reach a maximum of 145mph (235 km/h).
“A year ago I won my first ever race at Mosport. It was my first race in Canada, and my first time driving the circuit, so it’s a very special place for me.”
In 2008 Drewer won the Lites 2 class after starting from pole position (in class). It was his 6th race win of the season and he went on to claim the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship with ten wins from twelve starts.
This year Drewer has stepped up to the faster Lites 1 cars, and while he has adapted to the car quickly and has been a consistent front-runner, it hasn’t been the ‘dream-run’ he had last year.
“I think we’ve really made a steady progression this year and then in New Jersey I showed I have what it takes. We put the car on pole for Race 2, with the fastest Lites 1 lap of the weekend, and led half the race.
But I guess lady luck hasn’t been on my side this year. In the end we could only manage fourth in Jersey and then blistered tires kept us off the podium again at Lime Rock. The last rounds at Road America were a complete disaster. I was incorrectly issued a black flag by race control, which we had to obey. That ruined the whole weekend, costing me finishing position in race 1, starting position in race 2 and valuable championship points. We should be 4th or a solid 5th in the Championship. Now we’re 7th.”
The hardship isn’t getting Drewer down though. He’s focused on his dream and working harder than ever to achieve his goals of following in the footsteps of fellow countryman David Brabham in becoming Australia’s next Le Mans Series driver and Le Mans 24 Hour winner.
“I’m living my dream, racing here in North America. It has been a lot of sacrifice to get to this point. I’ve given up everything I own, and left everything behind to come here. A lot of people back home (in Australia), my family, supporters and sponsors are giving up a lot too. It’s a big effort.
2008 was an amazing first year over here. A bit of bad luck this year is nothing to worry about. That’s motor racing. For sure it’s frustrating, but with my new sponsor Ubantu Resort I’m determined to hold a trophy up high this weekend. That’s what I’m focused on.
I’m working hard off the track to finish the season strongly and make the progression to ALMS, or potentially GrandAm, GT or prototypes next year. Gary Daniels of Health Defence is conditioning me for long stints in endurance races. I’m working on my mental game too, and seeking sponsorship partners for next year.
I must say I’m really excited by the announcement of the Le Mans Prototype Challenge class (LMPC) for the ALMS next year. It is certainly one of the options I’m investigating.
Last year Mosport delivered my first win in Canada. Hopefully this year it can deliver my first win in Lites 1, and the first win for my Comprent Motor Sports team. The atmosphere is always amazing at Mosport and the track is as ballsy as they come. I can’t wait.”
Tom Drewer and his Ubantu Resort Élan DP-02 will hit the track tomorrow morning, Thursday, August 27 for the first of two test sessions. Official practice gets underway Friday. Qualifying will be held on Saturday along with Round 11 at 6.35pm. Round 12 will be held directly before the American Le Mans Series Race at 1:30pm on Sunday, August 30.
Drewer dudded. (The Advertiser)
Article appearing in The Advertiser Newspaper (Adelaide, Australia) on Saturday, August 22, 2009. "Adelaide race driver Tom Drewer had his race weekend wrecked after an incorrect black flag during round nine of the IMSA Lites Championship at Road America..."
Click on image to view and read entire article.
Team statement regarding incorrectly issued black flag during Road America weekend.
Comprent Motor Sport driver Tom Drewer’s weekend was effectively ruined after he was incorrectly issued
a black flag during Round 9 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship at Road America.
Drewer qualified in sixth position for Round 9. However, after setting that time his sealed spec-engine failed.
Comprent motorsport replaced the sealed Élan Power Products engine with an identical sealed spec-unit, under the watch of an Élan representative before Round 9 and Drewer was given a ‘hardship’ lap 1 hour prior to the race commencing to complete an ‘installation’ lap on the new engine.
After not questioning Drewer or the team regarding the engine change prior to taking his starting position for the race, race officials incorrectly black-flagged Drewer during the first green flag lap of racing after the first full-course yellow and restart.
It must be noted that Comprent Motor Sport, its team members and driver Tom Drewer did in no way breach any rules or regulations.
Complying with race control, Comprent Motor Sport instructed Drewer to pit on that lap for the incorrectly applied stop and go penalty. Drewer, who was running 6th at the time of being issued the black flag rejoined the track as the last placed runner. Before completing one full lap of the circuit at full pace the race was again placed under full-course yellow and the race remained under full-course yellow until the chequered flag was displayed. Drewer was classified as finishing in 15th position, 14th in class.
As a result Drewer did not have the opportunity to complete a full ‘flying-lap’ to set his qualifying position for race 2 of the weekend, Round 10. Drewer started race 2 in 15th position and fought hard to move up to finish in 8th position.
Kevin Kloepfer, Team Owner, Comprent Motor Sport:
“I’m extremely disappointed with what happened, for both my team and our driver Tom Drewer. We did nothing wrong, the team didn’t break any rules or regulations.”
Tom Drewer, Driver, Car #1, Ubantu Resort / Daily Planet Racing:
“I have been denied of two likely top six finishes and valuable Championship points. It will likely effect my final Championship position. I am very disappointed, particularly for all my sponsors, including Ubantu Resort, and my supporters, fans, friends and family both here in America and back home in Australia who give up so much to allow me to race.
But I have already put this behind me and I’m just looking forward to getting on with it. I live to race and love and respect the sport. I love racing here in America. I just hope my backers will see fit to continue given this adversity.”
Prior to the Road America weekend Drewer sat in 5th position in the 2009 Lites 1 Championship standings, only 4 points behind 4th placed Comprent teammate Jonathan Gore. Drewer is the reigning 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Drivers’ Champion. A copy of the corrected time sheet with the notation for the incorrect issuing of the black flag is included with this release.
Drewer in Wisconsin. (The Advertiser)
Article appearing in The Advertiser newspaper (Adelaide, Australia) on August 15, 2009. "Tom Drewer takes on the Road America race circuit in Wisconsin this weekend carrying new lead sponsorship on his Panoz Elan car..."
Click on image to view and read entire article.
Ubantu Resort to sponsor Drewer's 'new' approach at Road America.
A change of sponsor and a change to his preparation regime have resulted in Australian Le Mans hopeful, Tom Drewer feeling more positive than ever heading into this weekend’s Road America Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase featuring the American Le Mans Series (August 13-16, USA).
His new sponsor is Ubantu, a South-East Asian resort that will feature a full racing circuit.
In his quest to be Australia’s next Le Mans Series and 24 Hour starter, the twenty four year old from Adelaide, South Australia (venue of the ALMS Race of a Thousand Years, New Year’s Eve 1999-2000), has also teamed up with Health Defence and fitness trainer Gary Daniels.
“I’m more determined than ever to reach the top. Over the last year I have received a lot of recognition from Australia’s motor racing press, and while some would consider that pressure, it fuels me to succeed.”...
Australia’s AutoAction magazine has named Tom ‘Best Overseas Rookie’ in their annual awards while prestigious Wheels magazine has put Tom in their ‘Hot Half Dozen Watch List’ for 2009. Recently AutoAction magazine’s Cartoonist John 'Stonie' Stoneham pencilled in Drewer as one of Australia’s future Le Mans winners in a cartoon.
“2009 has been rather tough as I expected, even after winning the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship. I’m on a very limited budget, with no testing; I have stepped up to Lites 1 which means a different car and new circuits again, like Road America.
But I proved I had the pace at New Jersey, which I hadn’t seen before and I’m looking forward to racing on what I’ve been told is one of America’s premier road racing venues.”
Drewer took pole position for Race 2 of the New Jersey Round of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire with the fastest Lites 1 lap of the entire weekend.
“I’m always looking to improve as a driver and for quite some time I have been trying to find the right fitness adviser to ready myself for the next step, either ALMS prototypes or GT2, or maybe GrandAm.
I was approached by Gary Daniels of Health Defence, and he has devised a specific program taking into account the specific anatomical demands of a racing driver based on his background in professional cycling, martial arts and boxing.
He has been pushing me really hard at the gym and I can already feel the results. I think his unique background will really give me an edge - he has certainly got some demon tweaks that, I believe, no one else has.
We are also working on diet and mental strategies, and I have also recently taken up yoga. I must say I feel more positive and focused than ever heading into this weekend.”
The positive energy of change has also rubbed off elsewhere. Drewer’s new sponsor on the car for the remainder of the season is Ubantu Resort. Long time supporter John Trimble, and the Daily Planet will stay on board as a personal sponsor.
Ubantu Resort is a fully integrated major residential and hotel development in South East Asia on a subtropical island that has had minimal western influence, with a climate similar to Bali and Phuket. The self-sustaining, socially and environmentally responsible facility will work with, and benefit, the local community and will feature 5 international hotels, a super-yacht harbour and a unique motor racing circuit.
Drewer is optimistic that with these changes, will come a change in luck for the remainder of the season.
“We have made a very strong progression throughout the season, but on numerous occasions I have been robbed of my first Lites 1 podium or victory. This weekend at Road America I’m hoping to change all that.”
The long high-speed 4 mile (6.43km), 14 turn Road America circuit located at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is one of the fastest on the IMSA Lites calendar with Drewer expecting to exceed 155mph (250km/h) at least three times per lap.
Drewer’s first ever outing on the circuit will be for first Practice on Thursday, August 13. Race 1 will be held on Saturday, August 15 and Race 2 on Sunday, August 16.
Aussie Abroad Mid-Term Report. (Auto Action)
Article appearing in Australia's Auto Action magazine. "Racing overseas can be a steep learning curve for young Aussie racers trying to make it around the world. In a way it's just like school, readying them for what lies ahead. So just like school Auto Action has awarded each a mid-year grade to let them and you know just how they're going..."
To view and read article click on image.
Drewer rumbles. (The Advertiser)
Article appearing in The Advertiser newspaper. "Adelaide race driver Tom Drewer has risen from 7th to equal 5th in the IMSA Lites Championship after Rounds 7 and 8 at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut- part of the American Le Mans Series.
Drewer described the "rough-and-tumble" weekend as frustrating. In the first practise session, Drewer was inside the top six when an incident with a Lites 2 car caused damage to his Daily Planet Elan DP-02."
Drewer consistent at Lime Rock. (Auto Action)
Article appearing in the July 25 edition of Australia's Auto Action Magazine. "Tom Drewer had a consistent run in last weekend's IMSA Lites round at Lime Rock, finishing fifth in the first race and seventh in the second to move to fifth in the L1 Championship."
Click on image to view article.
Drewer moves to 5th in IMSA Lites Championship.
Australian Tom Drewer has moved from 7th to equal 5th in the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire after Round’s 7 & 8 at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut, as part of the American Le Mans Series’ North East Grand Prix.
Drewer described the ‘rough and tumble’ weekend as one of “frustration” which almost ended in heartache before it had really even begun.
In the first practice session Drewer looked strong and was inside the top-six when an incident with a Lites 2 car left Drewer’s Daily Planet Élan DP-02 with heavy damage, including a broken front upright, and his weekend potentially in tatters.
“I was behind my team-mate from last year, Eric Vassian, in a West. After both slowing to pass a stricken car before the last corner we both began accelerating onto the main straight towards the next flag point.
As I approached him on the straightaway I caught him just as his car rapidly decelerated for a second time. I’m not sure if he had a problem. In the video it looks like he lost power. It took me completely by surprise- we were on a flat-out straightaway. I tried to avoid him, but I had nowhere to go. I turned but just couldn’t react fast enough to get the left front corner out of the way.
I couldn’t believe it. It was a devastating blow because it really disadvantaged us. Lime Rock is a very condensed two-day schedule. There is very little time between sessions and we had heavy damage to contend with.
The Comprent team did a great job to get me out for the second session, but we never got the car back on the flat-patch. I was instructed to take the session tentatively in case there was further damage sustained we didn’t know about. I had a fair bit of play in the steering box and a cocked steering wheel.
We weren’t worried about only being P10 in the session because we had qualifying to go and we had chosen not to put on new rubber like most of the guys in-front of us but, due to the weather, that proved to be a costly decision.”
During the American Le Mans Series session, 45 minutes prior to the scheduled IMSA Lites qualifying session a Severe Weather Warning was issued for Lime Rock and the entire surrounding area. Like storms of the previous day, thunder, heavy rain, hail and winds of up to 70mph were expected.
IMSA stopped the ALMS session short, and even though only light rain was falling, abandoned Lites qualifying declaring the session would become another practice and combined practice times would decide the grid for race 1.
“The rain came, but it wasn’t the down-pour they expected. However, it left the track wet enough for rain tyres and meant practice 2 times would be the day’s fastest. I had no way of putting in a lap to better my grid position. It was very frustrating.”
In Race One, Drewer made an amazing start and rocketed from tenth to six by the first corner, passing team-mate Charlie Sheers who had started 6th on the grid.
“It was a really tough aggressive race. We were all lapping around the same pace and battling it out. I found myself in fourth place when the safety car came out.
On the restart I had both teammates behind me. As we barrelled into Turn 1 Jonathan Gore dived on both Charlie and I but couldn’t make it stick. We battled it out for the rest of the race, and unfortunately I was behind both of them at the chequered flag, in 5th place.”
Race Two again saw Drewer make a great start from tenth on the grid.
“Race One was so intense I don’t think I ever had a clean lap, and that put me a little further back on the Race Two grid.
Again I got a great start and found myself in around seventh by the first corner, this time behind Charlie. The car felt good and the leaders just kept falling off the track. I was looking like I was on for fourth or possibly even third.
On around lap 7 it felt like something let go in the left rear corner. It started to sag around right-handers. I radioed the team and said I would proceed with caution. The rear was falling over itself and producing a lot of over-steer. It was like driving a sprint car. I couldn’t maintain my pace and started to fall into the clutches of the cars behind. Then one of the leaders fell off and brought out the safety car.
Just after the restart the two cars in front of me made heavy contact into turn 1 and spun. I had to lock-it all up to avoid contact with them, but that left the door open for a couple of cars to go by.
It was a real shame. Until the car had issues I thought we were knocking on the door of a podium. In the end I had to settle for 7th, struggling to just bring it home.”
Post race inspection revealed extremely heavy blistering and on both rear tyres of Drewer’s Daily Planet machine.
“There was almost no rubber left on the middle of the rear tires. The team is yet to determine if that was the cause or effect of the miss-handling car, or if something else broke. Looking at them I think I was really lucky to finish at all.
At least we kept hauling points. I gave it my all but it just wasn’t our weekend. I’m just glad it’s over and I can’t wait to get to Road America to make up for it.”
Despite the weekend’s frustrations Drewer still collected valuable Championship points and now sits equal fifth with Gary Gibson, within striking distance of team-mate Jonathan Gore in fourth.
2009 IMSA Lites Championship – Current Points Score
1 | Matt Downs 130pts
2 | Joel Feinberg 127pts
3 | Lucas Downs 110pts
4 | Jonathan Gore 84pts
5 | TOM DREWER 80pts
= | Gary Gibson 80pts
Tom Drewer’s next event is the Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase at the famous Road America circuit, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 14-16.
Drewer ready to 'rock'n'roll' in Connecticut.
Coming off the back of his best performance of the year, the young American Le Mans Series hopeful Tom Drewer is looking forward to Round’s 7 & 8 of the IMSA Lites Championship at this weekend’s North East Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut.
At last month’s stand alone Mazda Formula-X event the Australian hot-shot took his first pole position for 2009, setting a new qualifying lap record for New Jersey’s Thunderbolt raceway with what proved to be the fastest lap of the weekend.
It was also his first pole position in the Lites 1 category, which he moved to this year after winning the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship in only his first year of competition in North America.
Asked whether he was possibly inspired by a recent test in the Panoz Team PTG Esperante American Le Mans GT2 car at Summit point raceway Drewer said,
“That was certainly a positive experience, but I think it was about time we put the Daily Planet car back up where it belongs. I’m very committed to progressing to the next level. I’ve been working hard with the guys at Comprent (Drewer’s Lites 1 team) and it’s paying off.
It was great at New Jersey to take the green from the front and to have clear air in front, leading the pack, even if the car went away a little after the restart. It was frustrating that we finished off the podium in fourth.
This year I’ve had the challenge of a new car, with no testing, and Lites 1 is very competitive, after all most of these guys have lots of experience in these cars and on these circuits. But this is the junior category to the American Le Mans Series and tough competition is why I came to America.
We showed in New Jersey we have what it takes. We proved we have the speed.
I know a win is just around the corner now and I want to be the one to get Comprent’s first win of the year.
I think it should be a great weekend at Lime Rock. It’s a beautiful part of the world. I can’t wait to get back into the car and keep the momentum of New Jersey going. I’m at one with the car now, and I’m more determined than ever. I’m ready to rock’n'roll!”
Drewer’s determination and results are being noticed too. Drewer was recently pencilled in as a future Le Mans Winner. Drewer’s name was included in a cartoon by world-renowned motorsport cartoonist John ‘Stonie’ Stoneham for Auto Action magazine suggesting he will one day follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen David Brabham who won this year’s 24 Hour with Peugeot.
This comes after he was named by Auto Action magazine as Australia’s ‘Best Rookie Overseas’ following his stellar performance in 2008 and was also included in Australia’s Wheels Magazine’s Hot Half Dozen watch list.
Drewer makes his first appearance on the Lime Rock circuit at 10:40am EST Friday, July 17. Qualifying will occur later that day, while Race 1 and 2 will be on Saturday, July 18.
Drewer pencilled in as future Australian Le Mans winner.
World-renowned Australian motor sport cartoonist, John 'Stonie' Stoneham has pencilled in Tom Drewer as one of Australia’s future Le Mans winners.
In a cartoon published in this week’s Australian Auto Action magazine, 'Stonie' has put forward two possible successors for David Brabham who was only the fourth Australian outright winner of the famous French Le Mans 24 Hour race.
Joining the statues of Bernard Rubin, Vern Schuppan, Geoff and David Brabham in the cartoon are two names adorning unfinished plinths, that of current V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup and that of US-based Tom Drewer, an American Le Mans Series’ feeder category champion.
Drewer is attempting to follow in the footsteps of fellow South Australian Vern Schuppan, who won
Le Mans outright with Porsche in 1983, and 2009 Le Mans winner and American Le Mans Series regular, David Brabham.
“To be mentioned in the same sentence or in this case the same drawing as the likes of the Brabham brothers, Vern and Whincup is a huge honour.
Both David and Vern have been fantastic mentors to me in the last year and a half. Vern is also from Adelaide, South Australia. He helped advise me, and endorsed my decision to come to America last year. And ‘Brabs’ has been fantastic to talk to in the paddock during the season.
They have both achieved so much, both racing in Formula 1 and winning the 24 Hour. They are definitely people I look up to and I’m absolutely focused on one day matching their international motor racing success, especially Le Mans. Hopefully I can beat Whincup to becoming the next Australian!”
2009 is only Drewer’s second year competing in America and already he looks set to make the transition into the AMLS GT2 category after testing with Panoz Team PTG earlier this month.
The young up-and-coming Australian sold up everything to pursue an international sportscar career and last year, his first time racing in America, he won ten from twelve races including the opening two rounds at the Sebring 12 Hour event to claim the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship.
This year Drewer has stepped up to the Lites 1 category driving for Daily Planet Racing/Comprent Motor Sports in an Élan DP-02 junior prototype and is again his talents are impressing. With the fastest lap of the weekend, Drewer qualified on pole position for the last race (Round 6) at New Jersey Motorsports Park and went on to dominate the first half of the race.
“I am determined to make the transition to the main-game (American Le Mans Series) by the end of the year. Make no mistake, I want to drive prototypes and that is why I chose IMSA Lites, but I think GT2 would be the next logical progression.
I nearly had a seat at Sebring for the 12 hour this year. It was really disappointing when that team decided to withdraw their entry, so it was fantastic to get a taste of a GT2 with Panoz the other day. Having that big rumbling Ford V8 up front reminded me of the V8 Supercars I drove back home.”
Asked if the Panoz drive is a sign of things to come, Drewer remained a little vague.
“Now that would be following in David’s footsteps! [Brabham drove both Panoz GT and Prototypes]. We’re currently investigating all sorts of avenues. But yes I certainly have my sights set on North American GT and Prototype drives.”
Drewer’s next IMSA Lites races, Rounds 7 & 8 are to be held at Lime Rock, Connecticut, on July 17 & 18 as part of the American Le Mans Series North East Grand Prix. The ALMS race will be David Brabham’s first event since winning Le Mans for Peugeot. He will be back driving in the Patron Highcroft Acura.
Drewer tests for Panoz
Article appearing in the June 17 edition of Auto Action Magazine.
"Australian Prototype racer Tom Drewer had his first outing with Panoz Team PTG last week, testing the outfit's Esperante GT2 at Summit Point Raceway, West Virginia.
Drewer's test with the American Le Mans Series GT2 team was for experience at the wheel of a production-based sportscar..."
Click on image to read entire article.
Drewer tests GT2 Panoz. (Motorsport eNews)
Article appearing in the June 16 edition of Australia's Motorsport eNews publication.
"Aussie Sportscar hopeful Tom Drewer had his first taste of American Le Mans Series equipment recently, testing a Panoz Team PTG Esperante GT2 car at Summit Point Raceway in The States..."
"...Drewer is currently racing in the IMSA Lites 1 category in America, the feeder series for the ALMS. And he admits the GT2 test is a genuine indicator of where his career is heading..."
Click on the image to read entire article.
Drewer sets new Qualifying Lap Record, claims Pole and best results at New Jersey.
Young Australian Tom Drewer showed he has more than what it takes to run at the front of the premiere division of IMSA Lites at the Mazda Formula X weekend held at New Jersey’s Thunderbolt raceway near Millville, New Jersey USA.
Drewer, who won the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship, proved he can match and beat the best of the Lites 1 category on Sunday as he set a new Qualifying Track Record around the 2.17 mile road course with the fastest Lites 1 lap of the weekend, 1 minute 15.327 seconds.
The nail biting half hour session saw drivers Lucas Downs, Kyle Marcelli, Joel Feinberg and Johnny Meriggi trade fastest times with Drewer until the Aussie nailed a blistering lap in his Daily Planet machine to take the coveted pole position by a mere .022 of a second, with the top seven cars all within less than .8 of a second apart.
“I knew we had found a much better setup in Saturday’s race but I just couldn’t utilise it, getting stuck behind Meriggi for most of the race.
So I just gave it everything today. I had the car on the edge for three laps in a row and dug ready deep. It was awesome to finally hear ‘P1’ on the radio in only my third race weekend of Lites 1.
The amazing thing was it wasn’t the perfect lap. I had a slight lock-up in turn 5 and that cost me a couple of tenths. I was likely on for a sub 1 minute 15 lap.”
After claiming pole Drewer, who finished 5th in Saturday’s Round 5 race, got off to a perfect start in Sunday’s Round 6 and dominated the first half of the race.
“Last year having class pole in Lites 2 usually meant starting mid-pack, so this was my first rolling start from the front of the grid since karting– we generally do standing starts in Australia.
It was a perfect start and although I had Lucas on the outside of turn 1 I controlled the corner and quickly found my rhythm.
It was fantastic to once again have nothing but clear track in front. The guys behind were pushing really hard but I just kept my head down and led, with a gap, right up to the full course yellow came out with around 20 minutes to go.
My car was starting to go off a little and I found it really difficult to keep the temperature in the tires with the pace car down to 35mph. Upon the restart I just couldn’t seem to find the same grip as in the first half of the race. It was a shame because I immediately slipped back to fourth. I continued to push hard to try and get back onto the podium but we just didn’t quite have the pace.
It was frustrating to finish lower than what we started but I’m really happy we led a lot of laps today. We are very close to podiums and wins now.”
It was the first time Drewer’s team, 2008 IMSA Lites 1 Championship winning Comprent Motor Sports, had led race laps since last year. Drewer’s fourth position is his best result so far in the 2009 IMSA Lites 1 season.
“I really must thank all the boys at Comprent Motor Sports, especially Kenny and Terry, for all their hard work this weekend. We are moving in the right direction and I can’t wait to further reward everyone who is allowing me to follow my dreams. A big thank you to John Trimble and the Daily Planet, Terry Little, all my supporters and friends back home, and my Mother and Father.”
Drewer and IMSA Lites presented by Frisby Performance Tire next head to Lime Rock, Connecticut for the North East Grand Prix, July 17-18, 2009.
Drewer gets Qualifying Record and Pole Position at New Jersey.
Tom Drewer has put his Daily Planet sponsored Comprent Motor Sports Elan DP-02 on pole position for this afternoon's race, Round 6 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship, at New Jersey Motorsport Park.
Drewer broke the circuit L1 qualifying lap record to take his first pole in the premiere division of IMSA Lites with a time of 1 minute 15.327 seconds.
The nail biting half hour session saw drivers Lucas Downs, Kyle Marcelli, Joel Feinberg and Johnny Meriggi trade fastest times with Drewer until the Aussie nailed a blistering lap to take the coveted pole position by a mere .022 of a second, with the top seven cars all within less than .8 of a second apart.
"This is fantastic. I just want to thank everyone who continues to make this possible- Daily Planet, John Trimble, my mother and father, all my friends and supporters back home who give up so much to make this possible. I'll be racing for you all this afternoon." This afternoon's race is 45 minutes long and begins at 12.05pm EST.
Drewer finishes 5th at New Jersey, in Round 5.
Australian Tom Drewer driving for Daily Planet has taken fifth place in Round 5 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship, at the “Mazda Formula X” weekend held at New Jersey Thunderbolt Motorsport Park, near Millville, New Jersey. Drewer started the race much lower on the grid than he expected after qualifying eighth. 
"We finished practice yesterday 4th in the timesheets, and therefore I was obviously a little disappointed with eighth in qualifying, although everyone is so close here. Another few hundreds of a second would have put me 5th on the grid."
Drewer started the race strongly, made up a couple of places off the start line and after passing his team-mate Jonathan Gore found himself behind Johnny Meriggi.
"It was an extremely tough race. We battled it out for around 30 minutes of the 45 minute race, probably a good 20 laps. I was faster than Johnny everywhere, turns 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, except for where it counted. I couldn't get the power down coming out of the last turn. I tried everything but I just couldn't feed in the throttle as quick as he could.
My car was much faster in a straight line, though and I would reel him in going into turn 1 but I was just never quite close enough to make the pass stick. I must have attempted to pass him a dozen times, but I just never had quite enough. So, I focused on pressuring him every lap, but to Johnny's credit he just didn't make a mistake. It was a great battle!"
Drewer will be back on track tomorrow at New Jersey for Round 6 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire.
Drewer tests Panoz Team PTG American Le Mans Series GT2 car.
Young Australian driver, Tom Drewer, had his first taste of the American Le Mans Series GT2 category after being invited to test a Panoz Team PTG Esperante GT2 car at Summit Point raceway, located in West Virginia, USA.
The twenty four year old and 2008 Champion of IMSA Lites 2, the feeder category to the American Le Mans series, is committed to one day racing against the best in world sportscars at the famed annual Le Mans 24 Hour event, to be held in France this weekend, and feels GT2 is the next logical step in his career.
“2008 was my first year of motorsport in North America after winning the Australian Thundersports sportscar Championship and selling up everything to pursue my goals.
I had an amazing start to my international motor racing career, winning ten from twelve races in the Lites 2 junior prototype category and taking the 2008 Championship for Daily Planet and West Race Cars.
This year I have stepped up from Lites 2 to Lites 1 and am racing a Panoz build Elan DP-02 prototype for Comprent Motor Sports, but my main focus for 2009 is to make the transition from the feeder category to the main game.
I am so grateful to Tom Milner and Panoz Team PTG for giving me this opportunity.
I had driven a couple of V8 Supercar events in Australia prior to coming to America, so I am familiar with big horsepower tin-tops.
In fact the Panoz is pretty similar really. Both the V8 Supercars I drove and the Panoz have a high power Ford V8 in the front, with the Supercar having around a 100 more horses, however the Panoz is a little lighter and has more grip with the wider rubber and traction control. But I felt very at home once again inside a production-based sportscar, staring at a Motec dash (Australian Company) with a Ford V8 thumping away.
My main focus for the test was to get used to driving a production based sportscar again after driving high down-force junior prototypes. It was fantastic to be able to experience the team and level of their professional operation, and gain insight into GT2 from the likes of Dominik Farnbacher, Ian James, Tom Sutherland and Tommy Milner.
The guys were very encouraging and I was pleased they were impressed at my pace given the little time I spent in the seat. In a car and circuit I’d never seen before.
I nearly had a GT2 drive with another team at Sebring this year, but they ended up not entering. Now I’ve checked the first box, actually driving one. The next step is getting on the grid.”
Drewer is trying to follow in the footsteps of fellow South Australian Vern Schuppan, the only Australian ever to win Le Mans outright (Porsche, 1983), and the legendary David Brabham, who shared much success with Panoz in both the GT and Prototype categories and will attempt to win Le Mans outright this coming weekend with Peugeot.
Drewer will also be racing this weekend, in his Comprent Motor Sports, Daily Planet sponsored, Elan DP-02 prototype in two 45 minute sprint races for Rounds 5 and 6 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship to be held as part of the Mazda Formula X weekend at New Jersey Motorsport Park.
Drewer chasing a DREAM. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Article by Chris Starrs appearing in the Athens, Georgia USA based Athens Banner-Herald newspaper and onlineathens.com on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
"Tom Drewer is a long way from his native Australia, but the up-and-coming race car driver is making himself right at home in Athens.
The 24-year-old, who grew up in a family of racers, sold everything he owned to move to America in 2008 to try and make his way on unfamiliar courses in an alien environment..."
"..."When I got here, I didn't know a soul and was all by myself," said Drewer, who hails from the South Australian town of Adelaide. "It's been a new experience and it's been amazing. Athens is a fantastic little town. It reminds me of some of the bigger country towns in Australia."
Drewer first set up shop in Buford and signed on with the West Race Car USA Team, winning the International Motor Sports Association's Lites 2 championship last year.
In addition, Drewer won 10 of 12 races he entered, including his maiden American run at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring event in Florida and his first Canadian race at the Mosport circuit. He also qualified on the pole 11 times and holds lap records at five North American tracks, including Road Atlanta.
His driving grabbed the attention of Athens' Kevin Kloepfer, who owns and operates Comprent Motor Sports, a full-service racing team that has piled up numerous awards in its 22 years of competition.
"Last year, Kevin and I had been eyeing each other a little bit," said Drewer in his unmistakable Aussie accent. "It seemed that we kept meeting in the winner's circle and as the year progressed, I became a viable option to move up to Lites 1. I'm trying to make the jump from semi-professional to someone who's paid to race on Sundays and Comprent is helping with my progress."
"We won the Lites 1 championship in 2008 and Tom won the Lites 2 championship with another team," said Kloepfer. "He wanted to be with somebody who knew cars and knew how to win. We talked a little bit and he wanted to move up from L1, and we were the next logical step."
Drewer races in Georgia-constructed junior prototype cars, which he terms as an "Indy car with a little more body work, essentially an open-wheel Formula car with extra bodywork over the wheels."
The cars - which are in the junior category to the famous LeMans Series - can top out at speeds of 160 mph and average some 115 mph on the circuit, which in most cases feature plenty of corner turns and chilling curves.
"Unlike NASCAR, we have corner turns in both directions," quips Drewer, who was mentored early in his career by three-time World Champion Nikki Lauda and has competed since an early age in karting, the South Australian Drivers Championship, the Australian Thundersports category and the V8 Giant Supercar Series.
He recently competed in the Utah Grand Prix, but Drewer hasn't had the same success in Lites 1 as he did a year ago.
"We've struggled a little bit but we're starting to see some results," said Kloepfer, who added most of his client drivers own their own cars, but he rents one to Drewer. "He's obviously on a tight budget and is doing what he can. He does an excellent job of promoting."
Added Drewer: "Racing is a lot different from something like golf or tennis. It's very challenging due to the role finances play. It's a big battle for any driver to find the financing he needs. It's a big investment and a big commitment.
"My mother and father are putting all their pay packets into racing and I sold everything to come here and pursue my dream. It's a tough sport - most of my time is spent trying to make the next deal to get to the next (race)."
While Drewer plans to continue participating in open-wheel races, he's not closing the door on competing in non-LeMans Circuit events.
"NASCAR is getting more interesting to Australians, and I'd love to at least try it one day," he said. "It's a different style of racing and a lot of the open-wheel drivers who have done it have struggled. It obviously takes a lot of skill. I'd also love to run the Indianapolis 500 as well. But right now I'd just like to see those styles of racing - the Daytona 500 is at the top of my list, just above the Indy 500.
"But my main goal is to emulate my fellow Australian drivers, like David Brabham, who's now racing in the American LeMans Series, (NASCAR Sprint Cup driver) Marcus Ambrose, and Vern Schuppan, the only Australian to win the 24 Hours of LeMans, which he did in a Porsche."
Besides family and friends, Drewer said the only thing he really misses from back home is the beach.
"I didn't realize how much time I spent at the beach until I got here," he said. "I miss the ocean and watching the dolphins play with each other. I like to go to Savannah and other towns on the coast so I can see a bit of the water"."
Brabs a Utah Saint [Utah AMLS report]. (Auto Action)
Article appearing in the May 25 edition of Auto Action Magazine.
"...Menwhile Tom Drewer was also competing at Miller Motorsports Park in rounds three and four of the IMSA Lites One series. Drewer recorded his first top six finish of the year with an impressive run..."
Click on image to read article.
Drewer scores first top-six for 2009.
Australian Tom Drewer has recorded his first top-six finish in the IMSA Lites 1 category at the American Le Mans Series Utah Grand Prix, held at Miller Motorsports Park.
Drewer pushed hard in Round 3 from 8th on the grid to move up through the field, at one stage lapping faster than the leaders, and looked set for a podium finish. However in his quest to reach the front the young Aussie began to over heat his tyres while rapidly catching his team mate, Jonathan Gore who went on to claim third. Drewer got within inches of Gore, but had extracted everything out of his Daily Planet Elan DP-02 and had to go into 'conservation mode' to bring it home.
In Round 4 after again starting 8th, Drewer struggled with car balance early on and lost track position. He battled with the car, which appeared to have little grip until the midway point of the race, when finally the chassis began to grip up. Drewer showed good pace in the second half of the race and caught 6th and 7th placed Marcelli and Gibson, passing Gibson with a lap and a half to go.
"I was pleased with yesterday's performance, but a little frustrated today. Overall we showed an improvement from Sebring and we're working hard on a few things that are keeping us from the front. I was really happy to see the team get a podium this weekend, and for my team-mate Jonathan. It shows we're heading in the right direction. Lites 1 is particularly competitive and I'm really happy to have had a top six finish in only my third race. A podium was nearly on the cards this weekend and I think that a win could be just around the corner if we continue to progress as we have."
Drewer's next race is at New Jersey Motorsports Park on June 13 and 14 for rounds 5 and 6 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship Presented by Frisby Performance Tire.
World's fastest Mother's Day card. (Utah Standard-Examiner)
Article by Chris J. Miller appearing in the Utah Standard-Examiner on Saturday, May 16, 2009.
"Although it's a week late, young Australian race car driver Tom Drewer is sending out his Mother's Day card.
And he's going to be quick about it.
Drewer had to spend last weekend away from home, preparing for this weekend's Utah Grand Prix.
He says his 'Mum' has always been supportive of his motor racing and he wanted to show her his appreciation..."
"...So he fastened his Mother's Day message to his racing helmet, which he'll be using in the 2009 IMSA Lites races at Miller Motorsports Park.
"When she sees it, I'll be doing around 160 miles per hour. I guess it's the world's fastest Mother's Day card," said Drewer who hopes for back-to-back Lites Championships for both himself and his Comprent team.
Qualifying and Race 1 is today, with Race 2 on Sunday, prior to the American Le Mans Series Utah Grand Prix later in the day.
For information, visit millermotorsportspark.com."
Flying the flag. (Auto Action)
Article appearing in the April 28 Edition of Auto Action Magazine. "Enough of the domestic series. How are our intrepid overseas-based Aussies stacking up as competition in the rest of the world gets underway? Phillip Mahoney presents his global form guide."
"Tom Drewer and Owen Kelly both enter their second season of racing in the USA after successful campaigns in 2008. Drewer dominated the IMSA Lites 2 category in his WEST, winning 10 of the season's 12 races and will expect to be right at the front of the IMSA Lites 1 category this season with championship-winning team Comprent Motor Sports..."
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