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AIM Autosport runs strong in the Grand Prix of
Miami The team arrived at Homestead and set about working on finding the right setup for the track given that conditions were quite different than their last time here. Improvements continued through all sessions and eventually, Mark (Wilkins) would put the car on the fourth row (7th) for the race. More changes would come during warmup the morning of the race and at the end, both the engineers and the drivers were pleased with the car they would bring to the start line. At the start of the race, contact between some of the cars at the front moved the Pacific Mobile No 61 Ford Riley up a couple of positions, eventually settling into fourth place. Mark was running consistent lap times with the leaders and making up some ground through traffic. The No 61 remained in fourth after all the cars had cycled through the first pit stops, now with Burt (Frisselle) at the wheel. Burt held position and continued to run off laps consistent with the leaders, also closing at times while holding off the No. 8 car charging from behind. The race was green through the next round of pit stops with Burt holding fourth spot - but with the 8 car still closing. The race's first - and only yellow, came with nineteen minutes left. Burt was able to cool the tires and relax a bit until the green came with just fifteen minutes to go. Burt held off the car in fifth and was within less than a second of third place - and a podium finish, but a lapped car in between the two made it difficult to get around and pass. Eventually, he would run out of laps and take a very solid fourth. Mark Wilkins: "First off, a big thanks to the entire crew who have worked so hard the last two weeks to get us here. They have done a fantastic job and put in some long hours. These guys are dedicated and have always given us a good car." He continued, "Ian (Willis) and Jim (Malicki) always seem to find the magic setup that works for us as well. It is a strong effort and both Burt and I are glad we could bring this one home" Burt Frisselle: "Great job by the team. We had a raw car when we got here and we ended up just missing the podium, You can't ask much more than that for the quick turnaround out of the shop a few weeks ago. We now know what we have going into the next race - and the rest of the season and feel that we can be a threat for the podium this year. We are really looking forward to the next race in just a few weeks." The team now returns to Toronto to prepare for the next round of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on April 10th. |
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. |
