AIM Autosport: Crown Royal 200 at Watkins Glen Qualifying

Grand Am: Crown Royal 200 at Watkins Glen
Strong qualifying for the No 61. Returning Champions to start race from fourth

(2009.08.06) After setting third fastest time of the day in early practice, the AIM Autosport crew went to work with notes from Burt and Mark to prep the No 61 Ford Riley for this afternoon's qualifying session. The changes were all in the right direction as Burt continued to run with the lead group in qualifying. There was a lot of back and forth for positions two through four over the fifteen-minute session and Burt was bumped from the front row in the closing laps. The times are very close with only two one-hundredths separating second from fourth place and the top four are all within .267 seconds (P2: .246; P3: .257; P4: .267). This should make for another very close race - especially the start.

AIM Autosport is the returning champion for this race having won from pole and recoding their second consecutive win of 2008. The only difference this year is that Burt Frisselle has replaced his brother Brian who is now in the No. 10 car. They will start side-by-side on row two for the Friday evening race. It was at this time last year that AIM's fortunes turned around taking three podiums in a row in August and catapulting the team forward in the championship. AIM is currently sixth overall in the series - ahead of their position at the same time last year.

Burt Frisselle commented after qualifying: "The car is great and we are fast. I was having a lot of fun out there and really had the car at the limit. The only thing that caught me out was getting space on the track for more hot laps." He continued, "Now Mark and I concentrate on the race. We have one more practice tonight to setup the car under the race conditions and we are confident that Ian, Jim and the crew will give us a car that will run out front on Friday."

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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. In addition to the Star Mazda team, AIM fields the No. 61 Ford Riley with drivers Mark Wilkins and Burt Frisselle in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. The team also fields the No. 51 Ford Riley for select races.

For information and hi-res photos contact:
Chris Jameson
Level Ten Communications
T: 416.284.4932
C: 416.891.0261
media@aimautosport.com