Article appearing in July 16 Auto Action detailing the story so far, half way through the year for myself and fellow Australian James Davison.
Living in America. (Auto Action)
Drewer and West head for IMSA title. (Clubsport)
Three page article written by John Lemm appearing in the July edition of AMC Clubsport magazine detailing how I made the progression from the junior ranks in Australian motorsport to IMSA Lites.
Drewer wins before spins. (Motorsport eNews)
Article appearing in the July 14 edition of Australia's Motorsport News e-Edition reporting on rounds 5 and 6 at Lime Rock.
Drewer wins race 1 but off-track excursion costs him second race win at Lime Rock.
Tom Drewer has won race 1 at the Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park near Lakeville, Connecticut, extending his lead in the IMSA Lites L2 Championship.
This win takes Drewer’s IMSA Lites L2 championship run to five firsts in five starts.
The young Australian led the L2 class from start to finish after earning L2 pole in the previous days qualifying session.
Lime Rock’s schedule was intense, with two practice sessions and one qualifying session compressed into just the one day.
"Lime Rock was always going to be an interesting weekend for us. Like every track I visit this year it is my first time and what makes Lime Rock more challenging is that we only had two sessions before qualifying to get it right.
I made good progress in practice sessions one and two, and in qualifying reduced my time a further two seconds to finish 7th overall, and on pole for L2.
I would have liked to have been a little higher amongst the more powerful L1s especially after we finished second outright in Utah. I think we could have shown a little more pace in qualifying and in the end fell just short of our goal, due to session being stopped prematurely by a red flag.
It’s such a cliché to say ‘if I had another lap...’ but I think it was true, however, we still met our objective of an L2 pole.”
In race 1, Drewer showed his true pace, setting a new track L2 lap record of 56.145 seconds.
“The race was interesting. With everyone new to the re-configured track we knew there was the chance of carnage over the first few laps so I kept the championship in mind and took a slightly conservative approach.
Once the race had taken a set I knuckled down and set about refining my line and increasing the pace. I ended up taking a further 1.5 seconds off my qualifying performance which was good progress. We also reduced the gap to the fastest L1 driver, Jonathan Goring, from around 3 seconds to just 1.5 seconds. It was great to get another trifecta- the pole, win and track lap record”.
Drewer’s race one lap time qualified him 1st in class and 8th overall for race two and while it looked as if he was on track for a sixth win it didn’t happen.
“The start of race 2 was absolute mayhem. We all went into turn one carrying far too much speed. Everyone was locking brakes. There were cars going everywhere. I lost a few places in that shuffle before they brought out a safety car to clear the carnage.
On the restart I jostled with my team mate Eric Vassian and he took the L2 class lead from me going into turn 1.
From there it was just a case of waiting for a few laps. I could see where I was faster than him and I knew when I got past I would be able to pull away.
Heading up the hill out of the first of the new chicanes we both got stuck behind a back-marker and I pounced. Somehow I managed to thread the car through the gap. How I managed it I don’t quite know. It was awesome. Eric thought it was unbelievable too.
Now in the L2 lead, I immediately pulled a small gap and looking good for another win.
I came up to the back of Anthony Nicolosi’s L1. I knew that if I could get past him I’d have a car between myself and Eric and be able to get a good gap on him in the fresh air. It would have also put me into 6th place overall.
I was faster than Nicolosi but the extra torque of the L1 was making it difficult to pass. I decided that somewhere between turn 1 and turn three was where I had the best run on him.
I was going to take him coming into turn three, but as I set up my car to the outside of 2 he seemed to brake hard and I thought I could get him around the outside.
Instead this forced me onto the dirty part of the track and I had to straighten the wheel as the car tried to snap sideways on me. I aborted the corner and took to the grass.
Unfortunately the car’s front splitter dug into the infield, demolishing itself and my entire front bodywork in the process. Anywhere else and I probably would have got away with it but the undulation in the grass bit me. I tried to keep going but had no front down force and the engine started to overheat as the radiator ducts were compromised. I had to finish my race in the pits.
I was a little surprised that Nicolosi just didn’t let me through earlier; we’re in different classes and not racing for points. So it was odd that he was defending and fighting the position so much. But for the same reason I should have just been more patient. It was very out of character for me to make this kind of mistake. I shouldn’t have been out there- not at that part of the corner. It was low percentage and I take full responsibility. I only have myself to blame.
Fortunately we were classified as finishing fourth in class. So my lead in the Championship wasn’t knocked around too much.
It’s a real shame because up until that move we hadn’t put a foot wrong all weekend, taking class pole for the first race, the race 1 win, and fastest lap with a new Track Lap Record, which resulted in class pole for race 2.
Again this weekend I worked with Randy Aust, my new driver coach and I was extremely happy with the progress we made during the weekend.
Everything was going smoothly. The West Race Team and my engineer Jake prepared a perfect car. We hardly tweaked the set-up all weekend. It was basically perfect straight out of the box.
I felt extremely inspired this weekend after meeting fellow Australian David Brabham on Friday. He is one of my heroes and to talk to him and hear his advice was awesome.
I’m just disappointed because there are so many people who are supporting me back home and I just wanted to give them and the Daily Planet the best result possible. I also wanted to give my father two race wins this weekend- it was his birthday today.
Obviously the damage incurred will also put a dent in the budget for this year as well. But look, as I said, I only have my self to blame. This is my error for the year and it has cost me. I will put it behind me and look forward to the next race at Mosport in Canada."
Drewer's domination continues.
Tom Drewer has won race 1 at the Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park near Lakeville, Connecticut, extending his lead in the IMSA Lites L2 Championship.
This win takes Drewer’s IMSA Lites L2 championship run to five first in five starts.
The young Australian led the L2 class from start to finish after earning L2 pole in the previous days qualifying session.
Lime Rock’s schedule was intense, with two practise sessions and one qualifying session compressed into just the one day.
"Lime Rock was always going to be an interesting weekend for us. Like every track I visit this year it is my first time here and what makes Lime Rock more challenging is that we have only had two sessions before qualifying to get it right.
"I made good progress in practice sessions one and two, and in qualifying reduced my time a further two seconds to finish 7th overall, and on pole for L2.
"I would have liked to have been a little higher amongst the more powerful L1s especially after we finished second outright in Utah. I think we could have shown a little more pace in qualifying, and in the end fell just short of our goal, due to session being stopped prematurely by a red flag.
“It's such a cliché to say 'if I had another lap...' but I think today it was true, however, we still met our objective of an L2 pole.”
In the race Drewer showed his true pace, setting a new track L2 lap record of 56.145 seconds.
"The race was interesting. With everyone new to the re-configured track we knew there was the chance of carnage over the first few laps so I kept the championship in mind and took a slightly conservative approach.
"Once the race had taken a set I knuckled down and set about refining my line and increasing the pace. I ended up taking a further 1.5 seconds off my qualifying performance which was good progress. We also reduced the gap to the fastest L1 driver, Jonathan Goring, from around 3 seconds to just 1.5 seconds.
"It was great to get another trifecta- the pole, win and track lap record. But now we have to focus on the next one."
Drewer's race one lap time has qualified him 1st in class and 8th overall for race two to be held later today at the Lime Rock circuit.
Pair with plenty to offer. (The Advertiser)
Article that appeared in South Australia's The Advertiser newspaper on July 12 reporting on the 'escalating careers' of myself and a good friend of mine, Rhys Newman. Rhys' father Rob helped me during my Formula Vee days in Victoria and South Australia.
Great Start to Drewer's US Campaign. (Clubsport)
Article appearing in Issue 2 of the AMC's Clubsport magazine.
Drewer's new look for Lime Rock.
Tom Drewer heads to Lime Rock, July 11-12, 2008, and the halfway point of the 2008 IMSA Lites season, with a brand new look but the same old approach.
The young Australian driver, who is currently dominating the IMSA Lites L2 Championship, winning all of the first four rounds of the season at Sebring and Utah, has swapped from Australian sporting colours to the traditional racing colours of his sponsor, the Daily Planet, an icon of the city of Melbourne, Australia.
“I’ve replaced the green and gold with the red and black synonymous with previous Daily Planet racing cars in the Australian V8 Supercar and Two Litre Touring Cars categories. But I’m still very patriotic and now there are a number of kangaroos on the car.”
The iconic Daily Planet became Drewer’s major sponsor just prior to rounds 3 and 4 as part of the Utah Grand Prix, held at Miller Motorsports Park.
“We didn’t have time before the rounds at Utah to change the livery, but I guess we repaid the belief and support John Trimble and the Daily Planet have shown in the best way possible by winning both races at Utah with Daily Planet on the car.
“But it was very important to me to run the red and black. I can’t thank John enough for his support. It is fantastic to have support from Australian business. Racing internationally was a big goal of mine and I am very proud to be flying the Australian flag here in America. That was just step one. Now we’ve got to concentrate on working towards and achieving all the other goals I have.”
Drewer will go into rounds 5 and 6 in his Rookie year of IMSA Lites at The American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix, Lakeville, Connecticut on top of the L2 Championship, and after achieving a very impressive second outright at Utah.
Although he’s starting to earn the nickname ‘The Flying Kangaroo’, Drewer insists nothing has changed.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I came here. I approach every race the same- I always strive to win. But this year every race is a brand new track, a brand new experience.
“I have a lot to learn everywhere- that is my goal. Just to be down to earth and to learn how to race here in America, and to prove myself.
“We have won some races, yes, but there is a long way to go in the Championship and the points can easily get very close. I am ultra focussed about my car- ask the WEST guys!
“But they know I have faith in them- I just double-check everything because all the hard work can come unstuck as a result of some ten dollar part not doing its job. It’s part of the heartache of racing and you just have to minimise the risk.
“I heard a great statement in regards to Penske the other day. Apparently their motto is ‘Preparation is the key to success’. I totally believe that, and I’m constantly working hard to improve every aspect of my preparation towards racing, from fitness, to the car, to setup, mental approach, everything. I am looking for a big step up next year and I feel I’m more than ready.
“In Utah I started working with a driver coach, Randy Aust. It is fantastic to have someone with the same mind set, the same approach as me. I’m looking forward to building on this relationship at Lime Rock. He is an extremely valuable addition to my team.
“But it isn’t just Randy. My WEST Team, Eric, Jake, Kevin, Caesar, Cam and my team-mate Jim, my Australian manager, Terry Little, Vern Schuppan, my family and friends, Greg Steer, the individuals you can see on my car that are supporting me, my mother, and the person that I have most to thank, my father, Mike, are all so important. I couldn’t be doing this without any of them.
“It’s actually my father’s birthday this weekend. He has given up so much to get me to this point. Dad, I’ll be racing for you, mate, this weekend.”
This season is Drewer’s first racing in North America, after winning the 2007 Australian Thundersports Sportscar Championship in WEST Race Cars’ Australian factory car, and gaining one off drives in the Australian Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series and V8 Giants categories last year.
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.
Life in the States Part One. (Ignition Magazine)
The first of my columns for one of Australia's premier motorsport publications, 321 Ignition Magazine. To read article easily I've provided a transcript.
Life in the States Part One:
Well it’s just over three months since I touched down in the USA, and what a few months it has been.
The IMSA Lites Championship couldn’t have started better. Two wins from two starts at Sebring, with all its history and tradition.
It seems like a life time ago though, and I guess 8 weeks is a long break in any racing calendar, but as I write this I’m heading back to Sebring to instruct at a Dodge Viper driver training school and I have just completed a two day test at Road Atlanta, so I’m keeping pretty busy.
I thought in my first report from over here I would touch on what life is like for me over here in the States, and the differences in the racing scene between the two countries and series I’m racing in, IMSA Lites.
The racing industry over here is full on. Everything is on a bigger scale. There are at least four circuit racing governing bodies and lots of strong categories. A big Winnebago or goose neck trailer is the minimum, even for people racing club level Formula Vee. An SCCA paddock looks more like a V8 Supercar paddock than a club meeting, with all the transporters, scooters and golf buggies.
Yet I think the standard of race preparation, competition, and level of expertise in Australia is just as high. So don’t ever think that Australia is behind the rest of the world when it comes to racing! We’re not. It’s just there is so much more of it over here at a high standard.
Racing in IMSA Lites as part of the American Le Mans series is awesome. The crowd at Sebring was amazing. The place was absolutely packed. The entire infield was a sea of RV’s, flags and race fans who would give any Bathurst tragic a run for his money as being the rowdiest, drunk and most passionate.
The Series is run extremely professionally. IMSA is the sanctioning body for the ALMS and we are treated in much the same manner. We have our own Chief Steward, Press officer, as well as Series Manager. Like the big boys, very much the onus is put on the teams and drivers to abide by the rules and safety regulations. There is no room for interpretation of the rules and this makes the Championship the best spec series I’ve ever raced in.
If it’s not in the rules. You can’t do it. You can’t try anything on. Two of the drivers in L1 nearly got rubbed out at Sebring because the car manufacturer Elan had changed the location of the front splitter support cables and they were found to not comply. In no way was this a performance gain but the cars didn’t meet homologation.
As far as the status of the Series goes, there is no doubt IMSA Lites is becoming more recognized and more competitive. The series is a great stepping stone to Star Mazda, Indy or ALMS. Gerado Bonilla, the 2007 L1 Champion did the same IndyPro test as James Davison with the Sam Schmidt Motorsport team and this year he’s driving the BP Mazda factory prototype sportscar in the American Le Mans Series.
The category is divided into three classes; L1, L2 and L3. The L1 cars are an Elan DP02 based on the Star Mazda tub with a 2.3L Mazda 4 cylinder engine producing 230hp. The L2s use the much lighter West semi-tubbed chassis with the fast revving Kawasaki ZX10R motor and gearbox providing 175hp. Both are now using tunnel floors, although the West tunnels extend the entire length of the floor like Indy and Champ Cars.
Essentially the West is faster around corners, but the Elan has more torque and is much more forgiving out of the corners. Both L1 and L2 are turning lap times that are as fast as, or faster than GT2 in the ALMS. Then there’s L3 which is based on the Formula SCCA Enterprise space frame chassis and uses a de-spec. Mazda producing 170hp.
In terms of the competition, we are racing for outright bragging honours, but our overall position doesn’t affect the class race or championship points.
The different car characteristics makes life pretty interesting in the races. You can really use the L1’s to your advantage, by putting them between yourself and the next L2. However, obviously they can also make life difficult when you’re trying to extend your lead by holding you up.
It really makes for very tactical racing, and prepares you for the multi-class racing in American Le Mans.
So what’s life like in the States? What’s it like going from having a day job and racing on the weekends to racing full time? Well, in some ways it’s much the same. In other ways it’s a world apart.
I thought I would have plenty of time on my hands in America given that all I’m doing is racing (my VISA doesn’t allow me to work).
However, I feel I’m just as busy if not more so. Having to personally organise much more of my racing, I have really come to appreciate the amount of time and effort my father, Mike, spent outside of preparing my cars.
I generally head to the PVM Racing factory once or twice a week. There I help prepare my car, check on where the guys are up to and plan for the next outing. I have complete faith in my mechanic Chas and engineer Jake, but I really take the Allan Moffat gave me before I left for the USA - ‘Double check everything yourself, then you’ve only got yourself to blame if something goes wrong on the track.’
The rest of my days are spent doing publicity, such as writing this article or press releases, working on sponsorship proposals, analyzing the next circuit I’ll be at, and getting fit.
I’ve found I really need to work on my arm and neck muscles. The circuits over here, such as Road Atlanta, are so much more demanding with many more high down force flat out corners than we have in Australia. I go to the gym and run every day. I am constantly trying to improve my fitness/strength while decreasing my weight.
The biggest challenge for me is to turn up to a completely new circuit every time I go to a race meeting. Yes, in many regards it’s just another circuit, but I think it’s fair to say the circuits over here are generally far more demanding and challenging.
Up until the last couple of weeks I’ve been completely focused on racing. Most of my time has been spent just making sure the car and I are prepared for the next outing.
Obviously when you move to a different country you leave all your friends behind. What you also quickly realize is you leave all your contacts behind as well. So one of my other main focuses is to create a network of friends in and outside the motor racing fraternity.
I’ve just begun to make friends within the ex-pat community here in Atlanta. Would you believe there’s even an Aussie rules footy team here, the Atlanta Kookaburras?
Next week I’m catching up with Leigh Diffy (ex Channel 10 commentator). He’s living in Atlanta and working on Speed Channel over here as one of its lead commentators. I’m also going to a reception with the New Zealand Ambassador. Then it’s nearly time to go to Utah for rounds three and four!
So for now I’ll leave you with a little off-the-record gossip I heard at Road Atlanta the other day. Everyone over here is generally ecstatic with the Indy/Champcar merger, but I’ve heard a few people have quit their jobs in Champcar teams because they are not Tony George fans.
A bit of an over reaction I would have thought, given how positive everything looks.
Anyway, now I’m starting to hear a few people mumble about the potential of another merger. Apparently Grand-Am isn’t what it used to be financially, and a few think it may fall to the way-side next year to give the American Le Mans Series even bigger fields. So as they say, watch this space!
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