Another pole for AIM Autosport

Mark Wilkins drove the Exchange Traded Gold No. 61 Ford Riley to the front row this afternoon with a time of 1:11.761 at 112.875 mph to record his second pole in the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. Mark also earned the pole in at the Brumos 250 in Daytona.

While teammate Brian Frisselle posted the fastest lap time in Saturday morning practice, Mark was mired in traffic and unable to get a good run. Only Daytona Prototypes would be on track during the fifteen-minute qualifying session allowing Mark to get open track and have a shot at the pole. The No. 61 Ford Riley would sit first halfway through the session yet others were closing. Mark broke into the 1:11’s then held back as he caught traffic in an effort to create a gap for a final run. On his final lap, Mark would run a 1:11.761 picking up two-tenths on his own time and opening the gap to second place.

"The car was awesome," exclaimed Wilkins as he exited the No. 61 "The crew did a fantastic job especially as we did not roll off the trailer fast this weekend and it is a new track. But everyone at AIM Autosport works hard for this and Ford gives us a great engine. It is a total package that Brain and I are happy to be a part of." He continued, "This is an interesting track and is a lot of fun with just the DP cars out there. With the GT’s out there tomorrow, it will be a matter of picking your spots and being careful. The car is quick and Brian and I will focus on bringing the car home safe and hopefully with the win."

This is the fourth pole for AIM Autosport in the last five races. Unfortunately at Infineon Raceway last week, a technical infraction moved them to the back of the starting grid. The Exchange Traded Gold No. 61 Ford Riley would go on to lead seventeen laps and take the final step of the podium for that race. This followed back-to-back wins at Montreal and Watkins Glen.

"The boys are doing a fabulous job getting the most out of the car," commented team principal Ian Willis. "Mark and Brian have been working very well together to help us find a fast and well-balanced car. We seem to like the tracks with fast flowing corners and both drivers have great confidence in the car. Just like Brian did last week, Mark really pushed the car to the limit and a well deserved pole was the result."

The team currently sits in fifth place in the championship, just ten points out of third place with two races to go.

The Exchange Traded Gold No. 61 Ford Riley is on track for the Supercar Life 250 is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. (ET) Sunday (31st) and will be broadcast live on SPEED TV.

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-  also photo