AIM Autosport geared up for Miller Motorsport Park... Team is poised for another top five result in championship
Woodbridge, Ontario (2009.09.15) Heading into the final two races of the season, AIM Autosport has something to look forward to as well as the opportunity to take care of some unfinished business in the 2009 Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. After ten races, the AIM Autosport No. 61 Ford Riley with drivers Mark Wilkins (CAN) and Burt Frisselle (USA) sits in a tie for sixth overall in the championship with fifth place within its grasp. Of course a lot depends on the fortunes of the other teams during the final two events. Ideally, AIM can match its overall performance in the 2008 championship.
While the team could sit as high as fifth at the end of the year, it belies the fact that AIM has yet to reach the podium in 2009. They have come close (4th at Laguna, 5th at New Jersey and Mid Ohio) but it must be noted that the season is not over yet and overall, the team has improved on its performance. In 2008, the average finishing position for the No. 61 Ford Riley after ten races was 10th, including the win at Montreal. After ten races so far in 2009, the average finishing position is 8th (7.7). With two opportunities left to reach the podium, everyone on the team is working hard to reach that particular goal.
"Getting a podium result is the ultimate goal" commented team principal Ian Willis, "but a strong finish and championship points go a long way toward making a successful season. Last year we had three DNF's that hurt us but 2009 has seen us cross the checkered flag nine out of ten times. The reliability factor is what has kept AIM in the fight and on track for a possible top five overall."
Going into the race Miller Motorsport Park, the team is confident they can produce a good result. In 2008, when the race was 1000 Km, the No. 61 Ford Riley finished sixth and was running strong early, leading the race at one point and running third at the three hour mark. This could be significant seeing this year's race will run the standard two hours and forty-five minutes.
"Last year at Miller we were running great in the early stages" noted Mark Wilkins, "but we fell off a bit toward the end. Sixth was a good result but after the race everyone on the team was wishing it had been a 250-miler as that would have given us our fourth straight podium. But that of course is wishful thinking."
Wilkins continued, "We just need to take that attitude and the strengths we have been working on all season, plus the fact it is a sprint race this weekend and shoot for the podium. Miller is a tough track with its twenty-four turns, but Burt and I have been training hard and the team has been working hard to give us a great car. We are certainly looking to end the season on a strong note."
The Utah 250 at Miller Motorsport Park takes place on Saturday, September 19 at 3:30 p.m. MT (5:30 p.m. ET) and will be broadcast live on SPEED TV.
AIM Autosport Facts: Established in 1995, AIM Autosport has a mandate 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 and the No. 51 Ford Riley with drivers John Farano and JF Dumoulin in the Rolex Grand-Am series. The team also competes in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. AIM won the 2008 Championship with driver John Edwards.
Photo: AIM Autosport No. 61 Ford Riley at Barber Motorsport Park, Birmingham, AL
Credit: Kevin Hinton / KB Photography
From Chris Jameson // Level Ten Communications
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