Mixed Results for AIM Autosport in New Jersey

Millville, June 27, 2010: There were mixed results for AIM Autosport’s Formula Mazda drivers this afternoon as they competed in the first of two races at New Jersey Motorsports Park. After a morning qualifying session, round 8 of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear started at 3:00pm. A total of 29 laps were run during the 45-minute timed race.

In his car-racing debut, AMA Superbike competitor Larry Pegram and his friend, Walt Bowlin, finished 17th and 19th, respectively, in their Tampa Bay Jaw Surgery cars, while David Ostella in the Global Precast car was knocked out of the competition shortly after the start.

After qualifying well this morning to claim a 10th-place start for today’s race, David of Maple, Ontario, looked forward to a good race. Knowing that he could have qualified better if he’d only had a clean lap, there was much potential to gain positions during the 45-minute-long race. After picking off a car or two with a good start, he raced side-by-side with another car until being hit by a third car that overshot the braking zone. David’s car was damaged and his race was over.

In the Expert Class, eyes were on Larry as many wondered how the motorcycle racer would fare on four wheels. Overall, he did quite well. Improving with every practice session, he qualified 19th and raced to a 17th-place finish. Larry chose a conservative approach, wishing to avoid hitting anyone or being hit. After a clean start, he settled in and gradually ramped up his pace. Although he was quicker than the cars around him—lapping fastest of those in the Expert Class—he had a frustrating problem: a race car is much wider and longer than a bike and he wasn’t sure how much room he needed for a clean pass. Eventually he figured it out and managed to squeeze past a car. Unfortunately, those ahead had pulled away and, although he could close the gap, he could not catch them.

Walt, running in the Masters Class, qualified 21st. A fantastic start and strong running in the early laps saw him climb to 12th by lap 8, but a spin on the restart following the second of three full-course cautions, saw him fall behind the field. A third caution allowed him to catch the field of the field, but another spin on the restart prevented him from gaining back any positions.

“A disappointing day,” offered Keith Willis, AIM Autosport principal and Chief Engineer of the team’s Formula Mazda program. “But, we’ve got another race tomorrow and we’ll try it all again.”