I decided it was time to get a little more patriotic with my helmet design for this year, but it still features some butterflies from last year.
The roundel is based on the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) roundel (My grandfather Jack Waye who built and raced his own racing cars, the Waye 500 and the Holway sportscar, few Catalinas in the war)...
However I've replaced the blue outer ring with two red rings. This pays homage to the double lined 'L' on Nikki Lauda's helmet, who sponsored my early Karting career via his airline Lauda Air.
The top and bottom bands with red stripes picks up on the Union Jack in the Australian flag and is suggestive of Nigel Mansell's helmet, who's fighting spirit and "always be good to your mum" advice I will always live by.
To go with the red and white of the Union Jack, on the back there is the Southern Cross star formation, also on the Australian flag, over my 'TD' logo.
Finally the top of my helmet is donned by swarming butterflies. This is a personal message of strength and transformation for a very good friend of mine, and it's the same design as the tattoo on her belly.
New helmet design for 2010.
More airwaves for Drewer.
Tom Drewer has made another radio appearance before returning to the USA, this time on Adelaide's FiveAA station with host Sean Perry.
Drewer discussed his "apprenticeship" in America over last two years racing in the IMSA Prototype Lites series and his 2010 plans to make the jump to the American Le Mans Series.
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 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."
A little taste of Athens.
Here are a few photos from Athens, Georgia, the town where I'm based this year. Athens is about an hour and a half north east of Atlanta, and the home of Comprent Motor Sports.
A shot of Terry's house, where I'm staying. Basil the dog. Downtown Athens and inside the Comprent workshop.
FOR SALE: Tom Drewer's 2008 Championship Winning WEST WR1000
Less than 12 months old, the car used by Australian Tom Drewer to dominate 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship, winning 10 out of 12 races, can be yours. 
2nd outright at Miller Motorsport Park, Utah. Currently holds IMSA lap records at Sebring, Utah, Lime Rock, Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca.
Factory prepared all year by WEST Race Cars. No time or expense spared on preparation.
Comes complete with over $21,000 worth of extras including 3 sets of wheels, full set of springs, and jacks.
If you want to WIN IMSA LITES this is the one and it’s ready to race!
NOTES:
* Chassis #75. Factory built Tunnel floor car, January ‘08.
* 2007 ZX10R IMSA sealed engine (New January ‘08, only 3 meetings since mid-season refresh).
* AIM Dash/Data system with extra steering and brake sensors.
($1,995 + $387 new)
* ProShift PS2 shift system with no lift up-shift, AND auto down-blip.
($2,290 new)
* Titanium ProShift paddles and quick release steering wheel.
($1,095 new)
* PVM/West Dry Sump.
($3,995 new)
* Centerlock Jongbloed wheels (3 Sets. 2 Sets new January ’08).
($6,585 new)
* Updated, upgraded lower rear Tunnel Aero wishbones.
($990 new)
* Schroth 6-way HANS belts.
* Fin Antenna and wired for radios
($365.00 new)
* AMB hard-wired timing beacon
($325 new)
* Carbon fiber wheel louvers
($495 new)
* Carbon fiber dive planes
($270 new)
* Near immaculate bodywork.
* Anodised red front toe hooks.
* Fresh brake rotors.
(Only 2 meetings old)
* Spare Pingle shift system wired to be completely plug and play.
($990 new)
* Full range of springs; 800s, 900s, 1000s, 1100s, 1200s, 1300s and 1400s (All new this year).
($1,140 new)
* A few other spares including rear and front sprockets.
* Front and rear quick-lift jacks.
($695 new)
* Meticulously maintained, everything double checked and triple checked.
* SCCA Logbooked for DSR.
VISIT: www.westracecars.com
CONTACT: Eric Vassian, West Race Cars. Phone +1 404 376 8282
Driver instruction from Tom Drewer also available.
Historic Drewer.
Drewer Senior, that is my father Mike Drewer, got back into a competition car after over 15 years on the October 3-5 weekend for the Lobethal Grand Carnival.
The event, created by Tony Parkinson (the owner of Mike Drewer's last competition car, the Richards, and one of my supporters) re-enacted the Historic motor races of the Lobethal Grand Prix, site of the 1939 Australian Grand Prix. The last race held around the 8.65 mile (14km) circuit was in 1948, sixty years ago.
Racing and competition sports cars and motorcycles, predominantly of the 1938-1948 period, took to what was once regarded as Australia's greatest-ever motor racing circuit, a healthy 70 years after the inaugural South Australian GP of 1938.
Mike was driving Tony Parkinson's Elfin open wheeler at the event. Images include examples of the pit-board messages Mike's support crew were holding out. Thanks Newmans!
Sneak peek at new Daily Planet Livery for Lime Rock.
My Daily Planet WEST WR1000 has an awesome new look. For Lime Rock it will feature red as well as black, the traditional Daily Planet racing colours. The scheme is reminiscent of John Trimble's V8 Supercars and Two-Liter Touring Cars.
A few things to note are the inclusion of a Kangaroo or two on the paint job to make up for losing the Aussie sporting colours of green and gold. You'll notice some 'kills' marked on the rear wing. There's a bomb marked on the car for each win of the season so far and a 'skull and cross-bones' for my 2007 Australian Thundersports Sportscar Championship. I'm determined to have 12 'kills' on the car by the end of the year and another 'skull and cross-bones'.
Oh, and for the keen spotter you'll probably notice that the dive-planes and the front wheel arch vents haven't been installed yet.
Formula 1 at Road Atlanta.
A few weekends ago I visited an historic meeting at Road Atlanta. Alan Jones' Williams was one of many historic Formula 1 cars competing.
The photos in order are Alan Jones' Williams, James Hunt's McLaren, Keke Rosberg's office in the #1 Williams, one of Pironi's famous Candy sponsored Tyrrells and an early Beneton sponsored car. I believe this was also a Tyrrell.
Thank you from the other side of the world.
I'm just sitting here at Atlanta International Airport waiting for my flight. I've just skyped the Supporter's Dinner in Adelaide, and I just want to again say thank you to everyone!
You've got to love technology! Hearing the applause of so many fans and supporters was just amazing.
I really want to thank everyone for attending and I hope you had a wonderful night.
A big thank you to Steve Richards, Bruce Abernethy and Michael Brock. I also want to thank everyone who donated their time organising the night as well as those who supplied auction items and raffle prizes. And all of my supporters who appear on my car!
Adam Wallis
Adrian Dallenogare
Andrew Slattery
Anna Wiltshire
Anne Gowlett
Blackwood Dynotune
Blackwood Tyre Power
Bruce Burchett
Central Audio Visual
China Shop
Chris Ferguson
Clemenger BBDO Adelaide
Daily Planet
Daryl & Julie Warren
Dick Johnson Racing
Doug Lehmann
Fasta Pasta
Ford Performance Racing
Greg Steer
Guy Pemberton
HeliAir
Holden Racing Team
Jack Daniels Racing
Jacquie Drewer
Jeff Mattner
John 'Stonie' Stoneham
John Trimble
June Taylor
Lemon Myrtle Fragrances
Lion Nathan
Lyn & Sue Punshon
Marcelle Smith
Martin and Rachael Wagg
Michael Brock
Michels Warren
Mike Drewer
Naomi Sellick
Oliver Warren
OV Hair
p.create Penny Gordon
Penny Hill Wines
Peter Lehmann Wines
Ray Robbins from TEGA
R-Tek Motorsport Services
Richard Fewster
Ruston's Roses
Saturno Hotel Group
Scotsport
Scott Gillen
Scott Hartshorne
Signs Inc.
Simon Dick
Sporting Car Club of SA
Stuart Sykes
Team BRM
Team Vodafone Triple-8
Terry Little
Terry Slattery
Tom Tymons
Tony Parkinson
Universal Wine Bar
West Race Cars Australia
I will do you proud at Salt Lake. Tom.
RACE FOR 2008 Supporter's Dinner.
Join V8 Supercar driver Steve Richards to support Tom Drewer racing in the USA.
Mike and Tom Drewer invite you to THE RACE FOR 2008 Supporter's Dinner.
Please join us and Ford Performance Racing's V8 Supercar driver Steve Richards at the Sporting Car Club for a great Motorsport dinner in support of Tom Drewer racing in the American Le Mans Series IMSA Lites category this year.
Tom has already won his first two races at the famous Sebring circuit and currently leads the Championship, but it's a long way to go.
Join motor sport identities and hear from Tom in the USA via video and Skype link.
Michael Brock will conduct a special auction of motor sport memorabilia and once in a life time opportunities including a HELICOPTER RIDE for four and chances to drive in a WEST Race Car just like Tom's driving in America!
Tickets: $30 per head including dinner, wine and beer.
Get your friends together and book a table of ten.
RSVP to Mike Drewer by emailing m.drewer@bigpond.com or phone Mike on 0419 27 3333.
Time and Place:
7:00pm - 11:00pm, Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Sporting Car Club of South Australia
51 King William Road, Unley.
Back at Sebring, but in the passenger seat.
Over the weekend I was back at Sebring, where I won the first two rounds of IMSA Lites, to instruct for the Viper Days Driver Training School.
It was fantastic to be invited back down to the historic Sebring Circuit by Deb and Bob Blizzard and Viper Days, the official driving school of Viper Club of America, to pass on my knowledge to students new to Sebring- even if I spent most of the weekend in the passenger seat.
My PVM Racing teammate, Jim Garret, was also invited to instruct. Jim raced a Viper GTS Coupe before stepping into an IMSA Lites West half way through last year.
It was a really interesting experience being in the passenger seat. Viper Days has an instructor motto “Bigger than Most” referring to the size our, err courage, for getting in a 500bhp+ car with a novice driver behind the wheel that doesn’t know the track at all.
It certainly was an interesting first session. My student, George, the proud owner of a black 2007 SRT Viper had absolutely no fear as we barrelled into turns three and seven and ten for the first time. I think all he would have been able to hear was me firmly encouraging him to brake! It was clear that George had good car control, but like all students new to a race track he just tried to carry far too much speed into the corners, and even though he felt fast and he gathered up the car mid corner, the lap times showed otherwise!
He admitted to me at the end of the day that he ‘hated me’ after the first session. And, I can understand why. I’d just told him, in the nicest way possible, that pretty much everything he was doing in the car could be worked on and he was slow, even though he thought he’d done a pretty damn good job and it felt fast.
Over the next two sessions we worked really hard. It’s a lot for the students to take in and a really hard environment for them to work in. They’ve got an instructor shouting in their ear, at the same time as learning the track, driving techniques, and the real capabilities of the car.
George, for instance simply had never really hit the brake pedal hard (on the limit hard) on the road. That’s what un-nerved me in the first session. I thought the car’s braking capabilities were terrible, it just never seemed to really bite, but once he tried hitting the pedal hard, the Gen 3 Viper’s big brakes came to life.
We worked hard on lines and cornering in the classroom and it paid off. By the end of the day we were nearly 30 seconds faster than the beginning of the day, and the third fastest car overall.
George had gone from literally hating my guts to my new best friend in the space of a couple of hours. It was a fantastic feeling to be able to pass on my knowledge and see the transformation in George. I was really surprised at how quickly he picked everything up. By the end of the day he was doing solid lap times around a circuit the morning before he’d never seen. I was really proud of him. I think it’s pretty hard for anyone one who’s a successful person in their own right to be told by someone much younger than they are how to drive their car. But George just knuckled down and focused and the results spoke for themselves.
The day wasn’t without incident though, just as George started beaming with confidence after putting it all together on the second lap of the last session of the day we went in to turn 4. It was a classic moment. Mid corner, George with one hand on the wheel, one on the gear stick, turned my way to tell me he was getting ‘pretty damn good at this’. Right at that moment, he lost control and had a half loose. I just smiled and raised my eyebrows. Nothing needed to be said. We had a laugh about it for the rest of the weekend.
The next morning George had another small loose going through the turn 15 complex. This time we managed a 180 towards the wall but it was a pretty lazy one, and I was so relaxed I didn’t even flinch. The good thing was that George now understood why we had lost control. He’d gone off line in turn 14 and that had put him in the wrong trajectory into 15. A combination of that and too much road speed into the corner and around came the back end. He could see where he’d gone wrong and why I’d been harping on about focusing on turn-in and braking points. The next lap he was back on line and back on the pace.
When I cut him loose in the next session he went faster again and came back in to tell me I should get a bonus! I was just glad he was having fun and had learnt a lot about his car and driving around a race track. I was really proud of him and pleased to have a new best friend in America. So, George if you’re reading this, top job mate!
The driver training was only one aspect of the Viper Days event. The Viper Racing League was also there for a round of their championship. Around a dozen Competition Coupes lined up to battle around the historic circuit along with a handful of 400bhp+ front-wheel drive Dodge Neon SRT’s. Both cars are rather impressing bits of kit. The series is a feeder category for Viper Drivers looking to compete in SPEED World Challenge. It was great to hear the roar of a field of big V10s- a little different to the scream of my high revving Kawasaki ZX-10R powered West!
I would really like to thank everyone from Viper Days and the Viper Racing League for such a great weekend. In particular I would like to thank Bob and Deb Blizzard and Skip Thomas for the opportunity and their hospitality. Oh, and George for being a great Student!
Road Atlanta test.
Hi everyone. I just thought I would write a quick report to keep everyone in the loop with what’s been going on since Sebring.
Hi everyone. I just thought I would write a quick report to keep everyone in the loop with what’s been going on since Sebring.
Most of my time has been spent doing the administration side of motorsport, helping PVM prepare my car for the next round at Utah, and continuing to improve my fitness.
However, on Monday and Tuesday of this week I went to Road Atlanta for a two day test.
It was my first time at the famous circuit. I imagine my first impression of Road Atlanta is similar to the first impression you get from Bathurst.
I was just totally blown away by the number of fast corners, the amount of undulation and of course that amazing, and totally blind, turn 11 under the bridge before you plummet down the hill and around 12 onto the main straight.
Turn 11 is an amazing corner. You crest the hill under the bridge pulling third gear, and you take the next fifteen or so meters with no reference to where the track is going absolutely flat out as you dive down the hill.
But it’s turn 1 and the Esses after turn 3 that are the most fun.
Around turn 1 the aero from the tunnel floor just sucks you to the ground and the g-forces on your body are amazing. My neck was actually sore by the end of each day from going around this turn.
The Esses just put another grin on your face. You come out of turn 3 in third gear with plenty of road speed and hold it flat down and around the left, right, left before going back up towards five. There’s no lift here. It’s just flat, pulling gears 4 and 5 as you go through. It’s unbelievable. It’s wild!
Road Atlanta has instantly become my new favourite race track.
The two day test went exactly to plan. The first session was spent doing observation laps and putting sectors together. By my second session I was pretty well on the pace (thank you X-Box!) and we began testing setups to optimise the performance out the IMSA Spec WEST Tunnel Floor car.
The weather, which had been threatening on Monday (we did have some light drizzle during the afternoon), cleared up for a fine and rather warm day on Tuesday.
In the end my team mate, Eric Vassian, and I got another two seconds out of the best time PVM had ever recorded at Road Atlanta. We both finished the second day in the mid 1 minute 20s. This was an extremely competitive time, only 1 second off the fastest, much more powerful, L1 Elan prototype participating in the test with their new Tunnel Floor.
I was extremely happy with my personal performance because this was my first time at Road Atlanta. I also took a rather conservative approach, yet was quickly on the pace, and I feel have a little more up my sleeve for when we go back there later in the year to race.
I think we have really bridged the gap to the L1s and I’m really looking to Utah now and seeing just how far up the overall grid we can be.
To everyone back home.
I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone back home.
What an amazing weekend this has been. I keep saying it but, cheap champagne has never tasted better! An absolutely perfect way to start the season. I couldn't have done any of it with out the support from everyone back in Australia. Thank you. I would expecially like to thank my mother and father, Jacquie and Mike, and Terry Little, and everyone else who has had the continued faith in my ability. I would also like to thank WEST Race Cars Australia and Greg Steer for giving me the drive in Australia that led to this opportunity in America with WEST and PVM Racing. A big thanks to everyone who has donated their hard earned, too. It is something else to look down on the car and see your names there. On my steering wheel I have written 'Every tenth'. More than ever, every tenth counts this year and every tenth is for you. I will continue to push hard and focus on obtaining our goal of the 2007 IMSA Lites championship. Thanks, keep an eye on the website and enjoy! Tom.
