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AIM Plans For Strong Future In Star Mazda 2008.03.07: After finishing fifth in the 2007 Mazda team championship, AIM Autosport will not take part in the 2008 season-opening Star Mazda Championship race at Sebring International Raceway. Instead, the team will take a sabbatical from Mazda competition, opting to concentrate on an extensive 2008 test schedule in advance of an anticipated two or three-car Star Mazda Championship campaign in 2009. The Mazda side of the AIM Autosport organization will remain in tact and stay sharp with the testing program, ready to race throughout the 2008 season. AIM first raced in the Star Mazda Series in 2005, repeatedly sending James Hinchcliff to the winner's circle while also proving themselves winners with a parallel Formula BMW program. AIM is continuing to develop the 2008 testing calendar and interested drivers should contact the team directly. “There are several multi-car teams in the series and that has changed the marketplace significantly,” said AIM Autosport’s Keith Willis. “However we believe that the most professional approach is a properly funded two or three-car operation, and we weren't willing to compromise any aspect of our program just to go racing. We really enjoy competing in the Star Mazda Championship, but we are taking the long view with this category. To that end, we are looking forward to working with some talented drivers during our summer testing program and will be preparing for a proper campaign again in 2009. “The uncertainty that the open wheel world dealt with during the off-season and the resulting changes in the schedule effected our program, but there are things that we are working on currently that could see us back on the Mazda grid sooner rather than later,” continued Willis. “With the strong support of Mazda and some clarification within open wheel racing, we know that the series continues to grow its profile, and will maintain its tradition as a tremendous place for drivers and teams to compete and we are looking forward to being part of it.”
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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. |
