Tom's team mate Hayanari Shimoda started the American classic from pole position, but didn't get beyond the first corner as he was driven into by the Audi R8 of JJ Lehto. The Zytek team watched in disbelief as Lehto crashed into the front corner of Hayanari's car forcing both of them off the road. Lehto hit the wall but managed to limp back into the pits for repairs. Hayanari was not so lucky, the damage to the Zytek being too severe for him to continue.

Tom, watching from the pit lane, was as furious and disappointed as the rest of the team;

" That was just a ridiculous move. We came out here to compete against some of the best sportscar drivers around, but that was a crazy thing to do. Lehto is a very experienced and successfull driver, but I've lost all respect for him now. To blatantly knock us out of the race is just poor form. "

Before the start the Zytek team had been expecting a great race and a good result. Despite a few set-backs during testing, Tom and Hayanari had clearly been the fastest pairing around Road Atlanta. The team had to miss the first two practice sessions with mystery oil leaks which had caused engine fires and late nights for the mechanics who had to effect two complete engine changes in successive days.

With the problems resolved for the Thursday night session, the team immediately showed the potential of the Zytek LMP car with Hayanari and Tom setting first and second fastest lap times respectively. This was even more impressive considering neither of them had driven at Road Atlanta before.

The team continued to fine tune the car during Fridays practice and Hayanari qualified comfortably on pole position by nearly a full second from their closest rival - the Audi R8 of Lehto.

Saturday's morning warm up showed the strength of the young driver pairing with Tom being quickest overall this time by over a second. Things looked good for the race which was started at 11.30am. Moments later, all hope had been replaced by anger and disappointment as the damaged Zytek was returned to the pits by a recovery truck. Tom tried to sum up their feelings;

" I cant really describe how upset we all are. I feel for the boys who have worked so hard for this event. They were working on the car until three in the morning and with all the dramas of the engine problems we've had it is just terrible for it to end this way. So much effort and money to get this far, it is just so gutting. "

The race would have been a great chance for Tom to get some experience of a longer distance endurance race to add to his previous 1000kms drives in the Zytek. The time he did get in the car showed he has really come to terms with the LMP car, his ability developing all the time. Always within half a second of his much more experienced team mate at the very challenging Atlanta track was some consolation for Tom. Being quickest overall in the warm-up, a great indication of his potential.

The Zytek team are due back in the States in two weeks time to compete in the American Le Mans series at Laguna Seca in California. Tom and Hayanari will at least have that race as an opportunity to make up for the disappointment of Petit Le Mans.