Archer returns to Trans Am at BIR

June 29, 2015

Duluth, Minn – We celebrate our nation’s heroes on July 4. WW II General Douglas MacArthur vowed “I shall return” when President Roosevelt ordered him to leave his beloved Philippine Islands. Tommy Archer vowed to do the same in racing. Archer wasn’t facing an enemy threat but when he climbed out of the cockpit of his Viper in 2008, presumably for the last time, there was a lingering notion that he may someday return to professional racing.

Last year, Archer belted in for a couple exploratory runs at Miami Homestead and Lime Rock, Conn. Earlier this year, Tommy qualified in the fast five and finished a strong 4th place at Sebring in a c3controls/Quad Systems Chevrolet Camaro.

The day is now here, behind the wheel of the No. 54 c3controls Chevrolet Camaro. The new campaign will include the final seven Trans Am TA2 events in 2015. The reborn Archer Brothers team, with support of their marketing partners, will continue to lay the foundation in the quest for the 2016 Trans Am TA2 championship.

Archer’s accomplishments are the envy of many. He has done it all and has the trophies and experience to prove it. The short list includes multiple championships in SCCA and IMSA, time behind the wheel of the Team Oreca Viper in the World Endurance Championship and two second place finish at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Archer has nothing to prove, so why is he doing it? His answer, “The challenge is there to do it. I have been instructing people, helping them set up their cars but I still feel the need to compete. My passion is still there and my reactions are still great - it just seems like the right thing to do.”

And there’s more. Archer was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012. The rigorous treatment regimen took its toll, but did not deter Archer from getting back into shape. Many friends and associates have followed his return to health and fitness over the past 3 years. Just when he thought the battle was won, Mayo Clinic doctors noted a significant PSA increase, but they couldn’t find the tumor. So the doctors stopped the maintenance medications and let the tumor rear its ugly head. They found it and removed it on March 17 of this year. He now has a clean bill of health and a green light from the Mayo team of surgeons.

Did Archer quit? Not a chance. In fact it strengthened his resolve. He works up a sweat in the gym 3 days a week. Then it’s back on the phone negotiating with marketing partners and working with his brother John getting the No. 54 c3controls Chevrolet Camaro built, tested and ready for its July 4th weekend debut. “And we are going 100 miles per hour,” Archer says.

Tommy Archer is excited to be back. Putting a period on his return Archer simply says: “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”