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Pacific Mobile/Biosign car knocked out of podium run Watkins Glen, NY (August 8, 2010) — AIM Autosport’s Pacific Mobile/Biosign car was classified eleventh in the Daytona Prototype class (23rd overall) yesterday at Watkins Glen International after being knocked out of third place with 25 minutes remaining in the Crown Royal 200. After showing excellent speed in Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions, the car ran in third place through much of the race until contact resulted in terminal damage. The car took to the track in fine form on Friday, setting the top time during the 90-minute opening practice and then qualifying second in the hands of driver, Mark Wilkins, during a 15-minute, late-afternoon session. Mark took the start of yesterday’s two-hour race and, after initially falling back to fifth place, fought his way up to third before handing the car over to his co-driver, Burt Frisselle, after 44-minutes. Initially joining the race in sixth place, Burt cycled up to third as the rest of the field completed their stops. At the 1-hour 5-minute mark, the team called Burt into the pits to take on fuel for the run to the finish. After the stop, Burt rejoined the race in sixth place and, again, pitstop cycles saw him climb to third. With just over 25 minutes remaining, and the team looking forward to a podium finish, a full-course caution closed up the field and gave Burt an opportunity to improve his position. However, when the race restarted, he was hit from behind and pushed into Tracy Khron’s car #75. As he ambled around the track to bring the car to the pits, Burt radioed that the car probably couldn’t finish. A quick inspection by the crew confirmed that he was correct and the damage couldn’t be repaired quickly. “I’m really disappointed,” Burt said shortly after the race. “We had a podium car right from the start, but got caught up with some back markers fighting over position. I really feel for the team; the AIM Autosport guys did some great work this weekend.” “The team worked hard and we had a quick car,” said Mark. “Maybe not quite enough pace to win, but we deserved a podium finish.” Next on the calendar for the 2010 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 is the Montreal 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Que., on August 28.
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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. |
