 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photos by Bob Chapman, Autosport Image. |
AIM Seventh In Montreal 2007.08.04: AIM Autosport led a Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series race for the first time, using race strategy to head the 36-car field at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal on Friday. With 76 minutes of the 2.5-hour race run under caution, pit strategy was critical in determining the finish. An ill-timed caution period thwarted the rookie Canadian team's podium charge, but they were happy with a strong seventh-place finish. Mark Wilkins of Toronto qualified AIM's No. 61 Daytona Prototype fifth on the grid – the fastest qualifying time for a Lexus-powered Riley Mk XI – in one minute 36.494 seconds on the 4.361-km road course. He drove the first race stint and moved up to third before stopping for a driver change to meet the series requirement for a pitstop during the first 45 minutes of the race. Brian Frisselle of Lynchburg, Va., took over, returning to the track 14th. A caution started one minute later, giving the other teams an advantage in pitstop timing, but Frisselle was able to take the race lead for 18 minutes, through a long caution and restart. He eventually settled back to finish seventh. Ian Willis, AIM co-owner: "Our strategy was to stay out on the first yellow and hope we got another yellow before 45 minutes. We did, but we got it one lap too late. But as it worked out, we got back in. Certainly, the yellows helped us on the fuel – we were touch and go for awhile, but those last two yellows put us over the edge. I'm just over the moon with the way both drivers performed." Brian Frisselle: "It was a long stint, but it wasn't too hard because there were lots of yellows. It was a great team result. Mark's been so quick this weekend; he really showed me around this place. He did a great job in qualifying and then the team called the best strategy of the race – I don't think anyone else called the strategy we did – and it was perfect. I've got to thank the team and Exchange Traded Gold and all our supporters. Today we had a great car and it showed in the result." Mark Wilkins: "It's great for the team! Maybe it's something about having races outside the U.S. – Mexico was seventh, Canada was seventh, and those are two of our best results this season. It was unfortunate there was so much caution, but it really paid off for us today. To stop so early for fuel and to be here seventh is awesome. Thanks to Telus' Mike Network for their Ultimate Road Trip adventure to Montréal and RBC for their contribution. We really appreciate their support and we're glad to give them a good result."
|
Established in 1995 with a mandate to identify, train and manage emerging motorsport talent AIM operates multi-car teams competing in the Formula BMW USA Championship and the Star Mazda Series North American Championship. Among those drivers who have graduated from AIM Autosport are former series and rookie champions james hinchcliffe, Andrew Ranger, Andrew Bordin, J.F.Veilleux, Jonathan Macri, L.P. Dumoulin, Anthony Simone and Dan Burchill. Other notable AIM graduates include, Sam Hornish Jr., Billy Asaro, mark wilkins, Ashley Taws, Paul Dana, Tom Dyer, Josh Schreiber, Dan McMullen and Antoine Bessette. |
