Woodbridge, Ontario (May 08, 2008) - AIM Autosport is pleased to announce they have reached an agreement with seventeen-year-old John Edwards to join the team�s Star Mazda racing program starting immediately. Edwards, the youngest driver in the Champ Car Atlantic series last season, will be at the wheel of the #7 AIM Autosport Formula Mazda for round two of the series this weekend in Toole, Utah.
We are pleased to have John in the car in time for the next race commented Keith Willis, team manager of AIM�s Star Mazda program. The team was in a rebuilding mode for 2009 but when the opportunity came up with John, it was decide to get into the championship run as soon as possible.
Edwards recently came to AIM�s facilities in Woodbridge, Ontario for seat fitting and a test day at Shannonville Motorsport Park.
We are very pleased with the results of the test Willis said. John was able to provide us with terrific feedback right away. This meant we could get up to speed and have John be comfortable in the car. It is a big change from the Atlantic car he drove in 2007 but he adapted quickly. Willis continued, it is definitely an advantage to all concerned when you have a driver that can relate what is happening on the track.
Following the test, John headed back to his new home base in Cincinnati to prepare for the race at Miller later this week.
I am really happy to be back on track this season said Edwards. We spent the off-season searching for opportunities to compete in 2008. Not easy with all the changes in open-wheel racing in North America. Then came a chance to run with AIM in the Star Mazda series. AIM Autosport has a reputation for success in open-wheel racing and they have been strong in the Star Mazda series the last few years. He continued, This is a great opportunity for me to be with a top team with a seasoned crew in a competitive series. We are confident of our chances.
AIM contested the 2007 Star Mazda series with drivers Devin Cunningham and Natacha Gachnang. Cunningham, driving the #33 Discovery Channel car would record one win and two second-place results on the season. He would finish the season seventh overall in the standings. Gachnang would record two podium results (P2 & P3) and never finished out of the top ten in the seven races she entered in 2007. Since entering the Star Mazda series in 2005 AIM Autosport has recorded a win each season. Over three years the team has recorded five wins and fifteen podiums.
The next race in the Star Mazda Series presented by Goodyear takes place May 17 & 18 at Miller Motorsport Park in Toole, Utah. News updates and results will be available on AIM Autosport�s web site throughout the weekend.
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. AIM also fields the #61 Exchange Traded Gold Ford-Riley Daytona Prototype in the Rolex Grand Am series with drivers Mark Wilkins and Brian Frisselle.
associated web sites:
www.aimautosport.com // www.johnmichaeledwards.com // www.starmazda.com
From Chris Jameson // Level Ten Communications
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