Team auditions Daniel Herrington for run in Sunchaser 1000
Photo credit: No. 61 Ford Riley - Caitlin Fell
Following their fourth-place finish at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course a week ago,the AIM Autosport crew remained at the track to take advantage of a test day for the Rolex teams. The test was designed to give the teams some track time ahead of this weeks race at Daytona which is a one day event. The test also provided AIM an opportunity to audition one of their former open-wheel drivers in the Exchange Traded Gold No. 61 Ford Riley Daytona Prototype.
In the test at Mid-Ohio, the team worked on an aero program for the Riley. Mark Wilkins would put the car through a series of fixed-speed straight-line tests that would allow AIM’s engineers to understand the relationship between the wing and spoiler and how variations affected speed and handling. Taking data from tests earlier in the year at Homestead, the team could now evaluate and refine the performance of the new Riley XX bodywork.
"Test days are invaluable to the team" commented AIM Autosport principal Ian Willis. "It allows us a chance to work out details try new things without the added pressure of trying to win a race." He continued, "With a pretty full season of racing, we definitely need to take advantage of these extra test days between events afforded us under the Daytona Prototype rules. This 
way we can run specific programs that will help us across the board rather than testing for a particular track and opens up the opportunity to test additional drivers."
AIM would also use the test day to try out a possible third driver for the Sunchaser 1000 later this year. Taking the opportunity was 21-year-old Daniel Herrington who previously drove for AIM Autosport’s Star Mazda team in 2006. Together they would have a successful start to the 2006 season taking three podiums in the first four races before Daniel’s season was shortened following an accident. While he was back in the car for the next race, the costs to repair the damaged car took a bite out of the season’s budget.
"It was disappointing after such a great start" noted Daniel, "but we had to make a choice and it seemed wise to look ahead to 2007 at that point."
Daniel would run some select races in the Indy Pro series in 2007 and is now looking forward to the opportunity to do some sports car racing this year. AIM will require a third driver for the Sunchaser 1000 that closes out the season the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. The 1000Km race tales place in September at Miller Motorsport Park in Utah.
"Daniel’s test in the Ford Riley went very well" said Willis. "He adapted to the car very quickly and was soon up to speed. He posted times just 1/10th off our fastest times of the weekend. Being one of the fastest cars at Mid-Ohio, this is a very encouraging result. Daniel also provided good feedback and we are pleased with the outcome of the test. Of course it helped that we have worked with Daniel before in the Star Mazda program so we were able to start off with a good comfort level between driver and crew. He also fits well with our current crop of young, fast and determined drivers."
Herrington is now in the process of securing funding for the Sunchaser 1000 event and is looking forward to being a part of AIM Autosports’ effort to bring home a win.
The AIM Autosport crew in the meantime, is en-route to Daytona, Florida for the next round of the Rolex series which takes place Thursday, July 3rd at Daytona International Speedway. Practice, qualifying and race all take place on the same day with the race broadcast live on Speed TV starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Ahead of the race, team members will participate in the Camp Boggy Creek golf tournament organized by the Frisselle family. The mini-putt tournament takes place July 2 at the camp in Eustis, Florida. The AIM Autosport Exchange Traded Gold No. 61 Ford Riley will be on display at the camp from Wednesday morning with drivers and crew on hand to answer questions and sign autographs for the campers.
Camp Boggy Creek Facts:
The camp’s mission, as one of Paul Newman's "Hole-in-the-Wall" camps, is to offer a welcome break for ailing children and their families. Camp Boggy Creek provides respite for parents and guardians and tons of great activities for kids.
And, perhaps most importantly, it offers a time for both adults and children to feel that they are not alone in the world... that they have someone with similar struggles and triumphs with whom they can share.
AIM Autosport Facts:
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, photo Daniel Herrington -
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