Woodbridge, Ontario, January 11, 2010 – Continuing its tradition as a team focused on driver development, AIM Autosport’s Keith Willis announced today that in addition to running a full program in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, the team will also be entering the new Cooper Tire presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda. Both series are now part of the new “Road to Indy” development program sanctioned by the Indy Racing League. This marks AIM’s return to the USF2000 series having run a successful program from 1996 through 2002.
In conjunction with this announcement, Willis is also introducing the first drivers signed by the team that will compete in the two series.
Joining the team in the Star Mazda Championship will be 16 year-old Michael Furfari who made his debut in the series last season. Michael, who turns 17 next month, spent the year honing his skills on oval, road and street circuits.
“We were impressed with Michael as we watched him progress through last season” commented team principal Keith Willis. “Michael showed talent, maturity and improvement all year long. We are fortunate to have a focused driver like Michael on the team and after scoring eight top-ten results last season, we are confident he will stand on the podium in 2010.”
The team’s entry in the new USF2000 series will be 15 year-old Anthony Furfari. Anthony has spent the last year testing in preparation for a concerted effort to break into the next level of open-wheel racing. He raced a couple of events in the 2008 Skip Barber Western Region series and impressed by taking the win in his very first start.
“Anthony has taken to the new F2000 car very quickly”, said Willis. “He has already gained valuable seat time in open-wheel cars and he adapts very quickly.” He continued, “The focus for Anthony is to achieve success in the F2000 class with the goal of moving up to Formula Mazda.”
AIM tested with both Michael and Anthony in Florida just prior to the Christmas holidays with the assistance of team principal and former USF2000 graduate and Formula Atlantic driver Andrew Bordin.
“Andrew was a great influence on both drivers”, noted Willis. “He has the ability to communicate with the guys and make them feel comfortable which is important to the team dynamic, especially with young drivers.”
Official testing for the Star Mazda Championship is scheduled to take place at Sebring International Raceway at the end of January. AIM will continue to conduct a testing program for drivers in both USF2000 and Formula Mazda during the next two months leading up to back-to-back events to start the season in March. The first race in the Star Mazda Championship takes place March 19th at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida. The USF2000 Championship joins the Star Mazda Series March 27th with a double-header at Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Florida. AIM will be making additional driver announcements in the coming weeks.
- 30 -
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 won the 2008 Star Mazda Championship with American John Edwards. In addition to the Star Mazda team, AIM fields the No. 61 Ford Riley with drivers Mark Wilkins and Burt Frisselle in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.
Photos: Artist Rendering(s) Formula 2000 (Elan) for Anthony Furfari and Formula Mazda for Michael Furfari // Credit: Chris Jameson/Level Ten Communications/AIM Autosport
For information and hi-res photos contact: Chris Jameson // Level Ten Communications // T: 416.284.4932 // C: 416.891.0261 // media@aimautosport.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment