AIM Autosport teams with CONSOL Energy to support The Food Bank

Woodbridge, April 14, 2009: AIM Autosport is getting an early start on its trip to Virginia International Raceway with some stops along the way in support of the “CONSOL Energy: Race to Stock The Shelves”, an initiative to bolster the effort of two area food banks in West Virginia and Virginia. The CONSOL Energy No. 61 Ford Riley Daytona Prototype along with driver Mark Wilkins will be on hand to raise awareness of the program and also to chat with local fans about the upcoming race, the Bosch Engineering 250 at VIR. Events get underway on Sunday, April 19th at the University Towne Center Wal Mart location in Morgantown, West Virginia starting at 10 a.m. This event, which runs through 5 p.m. is in support of The Mountaineer Food Bank. Mark, the car and the crew will then head to Oakwood, Virginia with stops in Lynchburg and Roanoke for some media interviews. The event at Oakwood, just northwest of Richlands/Claypool is to benefit the COPE Food Pantry, the Buchanan Community Food Pantry and the Knox Creek Community Food Pantry. Representatives from CONSOL Energy and the various food pantries will be on hand at Twin Valley Elementary-Middle School from noon until 7 p.m. “We are excited to be supporting CONSOL’s efforts in the communities where they operate” commented Mark Wilkins, driver of the No. 61 Ford Riley. “This is a unique opportunity for us to work together with one of our partners that directly impacts the lives of those in need. It is great to be able to give back to the community.”

“We all know that these are tough economic times and because of that, our area food pantries are being called upon more and more to help out our neighbors in need,” said CONSOL Energy Central Appalachia Operations Vice President Jack Richardson. “For that reason, CONSOL Energy has announced its sponsorship of the ‘Race to Stock the Shelves’ through the collection of canned goods items” In addition to the collecting canned goods and other non-perishable items, CONSOL Energy has also pledged a corporate donation of $2,500 plus it will match all monetary donations received during the campaign, dollar for dollar up to $2,500. AIM Autosport principal Ian Willis is hoping to get the fans involved during the race by initiating a “pledge-per-mile” program. “We could easily raise another $2,500 for the campaign by gathering pledges at the race” noted Willis. “A total of ten dollars per race mile completed would take only one hundred fans at ten cents per mile each - just twenty-five dollars for the full 250 mile race, to match CONSOL’s pledge. That is a small price to pay to help out friends and neighbors in your community and I expect that we should be able to raise even more.” Willis further announced that AIM Autosport will also pledge $10 per mile to up to $2,500 with proceeds going to local area food banks. He continued, “AIM will be challenging fans from the rest of the country and at home to support their local food banks as well. We know that race fans eveywhere will rise up to the challenge” Wilkins would add, “We strongly support CONOL Energy’s efforts in the community and appreciate the opportunity to bring the program to the fans.”