AIM Autosport is looking forward to restoring its form this weekend when its Pacific Mobile/Biosign Ford Riley races at the New Jersey Motorsports Park in the ninth round of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. At the last race, the team was disappointed to have followed four consecutive top-five results with an 11th-place finish, its worst of the season.
The NJMP 250 presented by Crown Royal is AIM’s third trip to New Jersey with their Daytona Prototype. In 2008, they took pole position and last year, they qualified and finished fifth. Drivers Mark Wilkins and Burt Frisselle are optimistic that New Jersey will provide an opportunity for the team to regain its form.
“After a tough Daytona, we have some work to do,” Mark admitted. “New Jersey has been a strong track for us in the past and I feel confident that we will be quite competitive there. I enjoy this race track, wet or dry, and feel we will be in a good position either way.”
“I have been looking forward to New Jersey,” said Burt. “We had pouring rain last year, but the fans stayed through it all, so it’s a great crowd. Mark and I are in the championship hunt and we have been strong on all the road courses this year and after a top-five last year, we are expecting more.”
As Mark suggested, AIM has to claw back some ground in the championship standings. After holding second, just seven points shy of top spot in the Driver Standings, Mark and Burt currently lie third, 22 points shy of the leaders. AIM fell back to eighth in the Team Standings among closely-packed group that sees 7th to 10th span just 2 points.
“In 2008 we qualified on pole and last year it rained really hard in a race where we had a good run to finish fifth,” said chief engineer and team principal, Ian Willis. “So, we like this place rain or shine!
“This event is only in its third year and our series already enjoys great fan support as evidenced by the number of people who braved the poor weather conditions last year. We are looking forward to a great show this year and hopefully enjoying a visit to the podium.”
The NJMP 250 begins with practice sessions on Friday. Following another practice session at 9:00am Saturday, the Daytona Prototypes qualify from 12:30-12:45pm. Sunday begins with final practice at 9:30am, with the 2h 45m race beginning at 1:00pm. SPEED TV and MRN Radio will broadcast live.
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AIM Autosport Hopes to Restore Form in New Jersey
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