WOODBRIDGE, ON - AIM Autosport is heading to Lime Rock Park in Connecticut this weekend with a lot on its mind and something to prove. There is a new technical partner on board and the team is also coming off it's best result, a second place at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), the team's first podium in almost two years, so the pressure is on. But they have also had a month off to think about that and what it will take to stay at the front and make a move up the points standings.
It has been just over a months since the race at VIR and other than the test days at Limes Rock Park that followed, everyone at AIM has been working diligently to get the Pacific Mobile No. 61 Ford Riley prepared for this weekend's race.
"We were quick at the series half day test at Lime Rock right after the VIR race", commented Ian Willis. "The weather will be quite different at the race however, as the test day was in the 40’s and we certainly expect much warmer weather on Memorial Day. Add in the fact it is a one day event, we will have to make some quick decisions on changes to adjust for the weather."
Willis continued, "Fortunately, this is all new to the other teams as well so we get here on a fairly even basis. We just need to be smart, and on this tight, short circuit, do our best to stay out of trouble."
While the crew has been busy with the car, Mark Wilkins and Burt Frisselle did the usual training - which included some golf in Hawaii for Burt and a few days at The Nordschleife for Mark, plus the chance for both at a class win in the six hour event at Laguna Seca.
"Spending time at the driving school at the Nurburgring Grand Prix circuit and doing laps on the full Nordschleife circuit was amazing", Wilkins said. "It is always great to be in a fast car on a fast circuit, but sometimes it is good to step away from the competition and relax, even if it is at speed. The race at Laguna just got me back into the rhythm and on the podium, now I am ready for Lime Rock."
"I was glad to get back to Hawaii, my second home", Frisselle commented. "This was an opportunity to refresh and get in some serious training, and yes, some golf between races. From here we have a lot of races in a short period of time so we had to take advantage of this break. I am looking forward to getting back into the Pacific Mobile No 61 Ford Riley and picking up where we left off at VIR."
AIM's business development team was also busy this past month and with driver training and conditioning in mind, welcomed Biosign Technologies Inc., as a new technical partner. The company provides biomedical systems designed to measure, analyze and help fine tune a driver’s response to stress brought on by exposure to significant g-forces and high temperatures. AIM's goal is to assist in improving and expanding Biosign’s health monitoring services to include diet, endurance, heat, and exhaustion management. The Biosign Technologies Inc., brand will appear on the No. 61 Ford Riley starting with the race at Lime Rock Park.
The GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 will have back-to-back races the next two weekends starting with the Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park on Monday, May 31st at 2:30 p.m. (ET). The race will be broadcast live on SPEED TV and on MRN (Motor Racing Network) affiliates on the Sirius Satellite Network.
The series then travels to Watkins Glen, New York for the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen on Saturday, June 5th. Details on that event to follow.
AIM Autosport Facts: Established in 1995, AIM Autosport’s mandate is to identify, train and manage emerging motorsport talent. AIM has provided many young drivers with a solid foundation on which to build a career in professional racing. The success of the AIM driver development programs has been achieved through the dedication of our employees and the ongoing support of our commercial and technical partners. Away from the track, AIM Autosport serves the needs of the racing community with a purpose-built preparation shop situated in the Toronto suburb of Woodbridge, Ontario. AIM fields the No. 61 Ford Riley with drivers Mark Wilkins and Burt Frisselle in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. The team also competes in the Star Madza Championship presented by Goodyear and the Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 Series powered by Mazda. Both series are an integral part of the new Road to Indy driver development series. AIM won the 2008 Star Mazda Championship with driver John Edwards.
Photo Credit: Kevin Hinton // From Chris Jameson // Level Ten Communications
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