---

SCCA: Drissi forms race team for the 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series

26 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Text provided by SCCA

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--Tomy Drissi, the 1999 Red Line Oil Rookie of the Year, has formed his own race team, Drissi Motorsports, to contest the 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series. Drissi contested his rookie season with AutoCon Motorsports, based in San Diego, Calif.

Drissi Motorsports, located in Hollywood, Calif., will partner with Stewart Racing, based in Rosamond, Calif. Stewart Racing will prepare and crew Drissi's car for each race. Drissi has purchased the Ford Mustang Cobra driven by two-time BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Drivers Champion Paul Gentilozzi during the 1999 season.

"I was weighing the pros and cons of which team to run with this year when the idea of starting my own team hit me," said Drissi. "It took one day to decide to do itI called three people that I needed to work with to put the team together and everyone said 'yes' without hesitation."

Drissi, of Hollywood, Calif., is the owner of Drissi Advertising (also in Hollywood), which designs, engineers and manufacturers displays for the motion picture and home video industries.

"I listened and learned so much last season, enough to put a team together I hope," added Drissi. "I want to do everything rightthat's why I bought Gentilozzi's car. I wanted the best car and I wanted, indirectly, to become an extension of Rocketsports. It was a new car with only 13 races. With this car I'll have the same benefit as 10 years of Trans-Am Series racing experience which will jump-start my experience level tenfold. It's a car that will be good for the next few years."

Drissi earned top rookie honors last year with consistent performances, posting four top-10 finishes, including fifth at Vancouver, to end the season 10th overall.

"I want to run in the top-seven, because with that comes success but still room to improve. If things go as planned, we should finish consistently in the top-seven. Consistency is important, but I'd love to hit that podium a few times this year, too."

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.