AIM Autosport to field Superbike competitor Pegram
For a PDF version of this release, www.aimautosport.com/media/20100623_New_Jersey_preview.pdf AIM Autosport to field Superbike competitor Pegram Motorcycle racer to make 4-wheel debut in Formula Mazda Woodbridge, Ontario (2010.06.23) AIM Autosport is proud to welcome AMA Superbike competitor Larry Pegram to it’s Formula Mazda driver line up this weekend to compete in a pair of races in the in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Larry, along with his friend, jaw surgeon Walt Bowlin, will join AIM’s full-time Formula Mazda driver, David Ostella, to race at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Both Larry and Walt will drive Tampa Bay Jaw Surgery-sponsored cars: #72 for Larry, who will compete in the Expert Class and #23 for Walt, who will compete in the Maters Class. This marks the 4-wheel-racing debut for Larry who currently holds fifth in the 2010 AMA Superbike Championship riding the Foremost Insurance Group Ducati. Walt, who has raced Formula Mazda in the past, was supposed to join AIM earlier in the season, but was thwarted by a broken collarbone—sustained while riding Larry’s Superbike during a track day. Walt intends to enter selected races with AIM over the remainder of the season. “We’re very excited to have Larry in one of our cars,” said Keith Willis, AIM Autosport principal and Chief Engineer of the team’s Formula Mazda program. “He’s an experienced and talented racer, but this is a new challenge for him. Very different vehicle dynamics than he’s used to.” David, driver of the Global Precast #16 car, is hoping to reverse his fortunes after a trouble-filled outing at Iowa Speedway. He currently lies 11th in the championship, just 1 point behind 10th-placed Chris Miller. The team will begin its weekend with two 40-minute test sessions on Thursday before a pair of official Star Mazda Championship practice sessions on Friday. The first race will take place on Saturday with qualifying from 9:45-10:30am and a 45-minute timed race set to start at 3:00pm. Race two will begin with qualifying on Sunday morning from 9:05-9:50am, followed by another 45-minute race beginning at 3:05pm. Both races will be broadcast live on HDNet as part of its Mazda Motorsports Festival coverage, 12:30-4:00pm both Saturday and Sunday. ### Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear The 2010 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear features an 11- weekend, 13-race schedule, most on major race weekends with American Le Mans and the Indy Racing League. Rising stars from around the world compete for prizes valued at $1.5 million and benefit from two driver development programs, including the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder and the Indy Racing League's 'Road to Indy' program. Series alumni include Indy Car stars Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal and Raphael Matos; rising NASCAR drivers Michael McDowell, Scott Speed and Colin Braun; and prototype racers Dane Cameron and Guy Cosmo. For more information about the Star Mazda Championship visit www.starmazda.com . AIM Autosport Established in 1995, AIM Autosport’s mandate is 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 No. 61 Ford Riley with drivers Mark Wilkins and Burt Frisselle in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. The team also competes in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and the Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 Series powered by Mazda. Both series are an integral part of the new Road to Indy driver development series. AIM won the 2008 Star Mazda Championship with driver John Edwards. For more information about AIM Autsport, visit www.aimautosport.com . Web resolution photo of Larry Pegram (www.pegramracing.com), www.aimautosport.com/media/Larry_Pegram.jpg . For additional information or photos, please contact Mark Jackson 416.891.0261 media@aimautosport.com
