DRISSI AND COMPANY SIXTH FASTEST IN FINAL PETIT LE MANS PRACTICE

 



BRASELTON, Ga. (Sept. 24, 2004) ‹ Tomy Drissi, and co-drivers Melanie
Paterson and Michael Lewis timed sixth in the fourth and final full practice
Friday morning for Saturday¹s Petit Le Mans American Le Mans Series race at
Road Atlanta. Driving the No. 12 Elektra ­ Looks Can Kill Only in Theaters
Jan. 14 Riley & Scott Mk. IIIc Elan LMP1 car fielded by Autocon Motorsports,
Drissi¹s team posted a 1:17.316-minute lap.

Drissi said the team is still working on the fuel-injection system for the
car.

³The engine cut out at 3,500 rpms,² said Drissi. ³The engineers fired the
engine for the first time on Wednesday, so this is to be expected. The team
is working on the issue and expects to be ready for qualifying this
afternoon.²

Drissi suffered an off early in his stint.

³I made a mistake,² said Drissi. ³I spun on cold tires and it was my fault.
Luckily I didn¹t hit anything and the car is fine. Those Audis are tough,
but I think we may have something for them on Saturday.²
 
Drissi, along with the rest of the ALMS drivers will participate in an open
paddock autograph session today from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the ALMS
paddock. Qualifying is scheduled for today from 3:10 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
 
Chevy presents Petit Le Mans will get the green flag at noon (EDT) on
Saturday, Sept. 25. The race will cover 1,000 miles, or 10 hours, whichever
comes first on Road Atlanta¹s 2.54-mile, 12-turn permanent road course.
Fourth-round practice is scheduled for tomorrow from 9:45 a.m. ­ 10:45 a.m.

LIVE race highlights will air on SPEED at 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and the
conclusion of the event at 7:30 p.m. All times are EDT.

Tomy Drissi, who hails from Hollywood, Calif., is a longtime sports car
racer and has competed in the American Le Mans Series, Trans-Am and vintage
racing. Drissi owns award-winning motion picture advertising firm Drissi
Advertising.