AIM Autosport targets race wins in 2011

Sites set on championship challenge in 2012


AIM Autosport is launching a multi-season plan to see its Daytona Prototype squad return to the race-winning form it formerly enjoyed in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. However, before it can begin to act on its plan, AIM must take a step back by missing this month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.


It is with a great deal of disappointment that AIM must announce that it will not compete in the 2011 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Truly a monumental event, “The Rolex 24” is Grand-Am’s most prestigious race and every member of the team aches to be part of it. However, the season-opening event requires substantial resources and the team simply isn’t in the financial position to include it.


Following the same pattern as 2010, AIM is planning to jump in at the second race of the year at Homestead-Miami and contest the remainder of the twelve-race series that runs through to mid September. The team plans to make a series of announcements over the coming weeks as partnership deals are finalized.


AIM was competitively quick at every track in 2010, consistently one of the top four cars each race and scoring two podium finishes. While the team recognizes the fierce competition it faces, diligent work during the off-season has given cause for optimism. The focus of the 2011 program will be a return to the race-winning form achieved in 2008 and, in 2012, a full-season program targeting the championship title.


“Once again we had to make a very tough decision,” commented team Principal, Ian Willis. “With the series switch to Continental Tires, we stand to loose lots of experience with the tire by missing the Rolex 24.


“We have been very hard at work acquiring sponsorship support so that we can be back on the top step of the podium regularly in the future. The past two years have been difficult competing with a limited budget, but we have shown that, regardless of budget constraints, we are capable of running at the front and winning.”


AIM’s first race of the season will be the Grand Prix of Miami, March 4–5 at Homestead Miami Speedway in Florida. SPEED (television) and MRN (radio) will continue providing live coverage of all events while live timing/scoring will be available via GRAND-AM’s website, www.grand-am.com.



AIM Autosport


AIM Autosport is a professional motorsports team active in highly-competitive sports car and open-wheel racing series in North America. AIM has achieved success at every level through its operating efficiency, engineering skill, experience, dedication and stability of workforce. AIM’s top-tier program is a Daytona Prototype entry in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series.


Since its launch in 1995, AIM has built a winning heritage by fielding competitive cars for talented young drivers in junior development categories. That continues with multi-car teams in the Road to Indy® professional driver development ladder where AIM is a perennial pacesetter in Star Mazda and USF2000. For more information about AIM Autosport, visit www.aimautosport.com.



- Mark Jackson -