Tom will be hoping for more success in the works Zytek LMP sportscar at Atlanta this weekend, partnered by Hayanari Shimoda again, as the pair attempt to win the American Le Mans race......

Following on from their recent victory in the 1000kms at Nurburgring, Tom and Hayanari are in the States to compete at Road Atlanta in Georgia.

The Petit Le Mans event is the blue riband of American sportscar racing and is held over 10 hours, roughly 1000 miles of the incredibly tortuous Road Atlanta track. Heat and humidity are major factors during the event, where each driver will complete two stints of around 2 1/2 hours duration - a real physical and mental challenge.

The factory Zytek team are confident of a strong performance and providing the car remains as reliable as it has been so far this season and the drivers can stay out of trouble, then a good result is certainly possible.

Competing in the Petit Le Mans event will mean Tom has to miss the final BTCC races of the year which are also taking place this weekend at Brands Hatch. He is disappointed not to be racing the Honda, but he is thinking about the future;

" It's a shame I can't do both. Obviously I love the BTCC and it would have been great to finish the season with another good result at Brands, but I've got to think ahead as well. I feel my future is in sportscars and I would love to get the factory Zytek drive full time next year. It is important for Zytek's plans to do this race at Atlanta and also the final American series race at Laguna Seca in two weeks time. They asked me and Hayanari to drive again after we won at Nurburgring and so I decided this was the best decision for my future. "

The week leading up to the Atlanta race will give the team opportunities to test and the drivers a chance to learn the very challenging circuit which neither Tom or Hayanari have seen before.Official qualifying takes place on Friday afternoon and the race itself will commence at 11.30 am on Saturday, going through to finish in the dark on Saturday night