AIM Autosport – Reflections while looking ahead

While the 2008 Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series season was ending a few weeks ago, AIM Autosport had already begun the drive toward the 2009 campaign, long before the final race. Since that last race, the team has gone into overdrive and there will be lots to tell in the coming weeks, but as the lone Canadian team took this past weekend to celebrate Canada's Thanksgiving, there has been time to reflect on the season and how things changed over the course of the year.

The 2008 season unfolded in measured steps for the young team, although it could be said they were in the game right from the drop of the green at the Rolex 24 just nine months ago. There were some interesting moments along the way and soon things began to gel. After a string of top-five starts, Mark Wilkins would finally break through and at Daytona in July, would score the teams first pole.

Mark and his team mate, Brian Frisselle would go on to be a major threat in that race only to be denied by a mechanical failure. It was an exciting ride - just ask Mark whose 160 mph spin is still on the video highlight reels, and it was a sign of things to come. Weeks later, Brian had the No. 61 Ford Riley in the lead when the gremlins bit once again. But that was all about to change.

Everyone wants to win their home race and being on the front row is a good place to start - until you get turned around in the first corner and end up at the back of the field. Patience and perseverance would become the watchwords of the day and when all was said and done, Mark, Brian and the AIM Autosport crew had their moment to celebrate after taking the win on home soil in dramatic fashion. It certainly was a moment - but more on that later.

It would also seem that racing is bit like dominoes because AIM Autosport would score back to back poles and three successive podiums including back to back victories. People were starting to take notice and following the third-place result at Infineon, the No. 61 was attracting some pretty interesting attention. So much that for the final race, the SunRichGourmet.com 1000K, Mark and Brian had none other than former F1 driver and 2002 CART champion Cristiano da Matta share the driving duties. It is fun to be judged by the company you keep.

Going into the final race at Miller Motorsport Park, AIM Autosport was within striking distance of a top-three finish in the championship. A lot would have to happen for that to occur – and there was much calculating done as to who had to finish where to get the job done. But this is racing and it is never over until the checkered flag flies.

Brian, Mark and Cristiano did their job but the elements, plus a few other teams with ideas of their own, meant that AIM would end the season secure in fifth place in the championship. Quite an accomplishment after finishing the 2007 season in eleventh and an incredible leap from starting the season in nineteenth. But then the No. 61 proved more than once this year that it could fight its way to the front under seemingly bad odds.

And again, people were taking notice.

Just before the final race, fans were invited to select their favorite "Moment of The Year". Eight "moments" were selected from many over the season and at the awards banquet in Las Vegas it was announced that AIM's win at Montreal – the closest margin of victory in series history, would earn the honors. The fans had certainly noticed and voted for one of the best racing moments ever. It was a turning point for team in many ways.

For now though, the crew and the drivers are getting ready for testing in preparation for next season. Mark and Brian will be back in the No. 61 Ford Riley and they are determined to pick up where they left off and be serious contenders for the '09 championship. They thank everyone who got them this far including Exchange Traded Gold, Telus Mike Network, Roush Yates Engines and Ford Racing, Performance Friction, Mobil 1, CDOC and Performance Drink and look forward to the continued support.

The Rolex Sports Car Series 2009 series gets underway January 22 for the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona International Speedway.

Established in 1995, AIM Autosport has a mandate to identify, train and manage emerging motorsport talent. AIM has provided many young drivers with a solid foundation on which to build a career in professional racing.

The success of the AIM driver development programs has been achieved through the dedication of our employees and the ongoing support of our commercial and technical partners. Away from the track, AIM Autosport serves the needs of the racing community with a purpose-built preparation shop situated in the Toronto suburb of Woodbridge, Ontario.

AIM fields the Exchange Traded Gold #61 Ford-Riley Daytona Prototype in the Rolex Grand Am series with drivers Mark Wilkins and Brian Frisselle. The team also competes in the Star Madza Championship presented by Goodyear with John Edwards at the wheel of the #7 Formula Mazda. 

Chris Jameson, Photos credit: Kevin Hinton