Burt Frisselle Fights to Ninth at Virginia International Raceway with GAMMA88 Riley

Burt Frisselle Fights to Ninth at Virginia International Raceway with GAMMA88 Riley

Alton, Va. (14 May 2011) – Burt Frisselle and AIM Autosport co-driver Mark Wilkins overcame numerous challenges in the Bosch Engineering 250 at Virginia International Raceway in an incident-filled race, running in a testing mix of wet and dry conditions. Despite the various obstacles throughout the 2.75 hour event, the duo brought the No. 61 GAMMA88 machine home ninth.

The first challenge came at the very start of the race when a fogging problem on the No. 61 windshield forced Wilkins to pit lane for a replacement. The AIM Autosport team made quick work of the change and Wilkins returned to the track without losing a lap.

“We had issues with the windshield right at the beginning of the race,” said Frisselle. “The AIM Autosport guys were actually able to replace the entire windshield during the race which is something you don’t see very often. We didn’t even lose a lap. The whole team did an awesome job.”

Following an extended 50-minute caution period due to standing water on the track, Frisselle took the controls of the GAMMA88 machine but was forced to make another unscheduled stop when mud covering the windshield blocked his view of the track. AIM Autosport’s consistent quick work in the pits had the No. 61 swiftly back on track and Frisselle moved his way forward into the seventh position.

As the track began to dry, teams switched over to slick tires and a dry line began to form around the track. Frisselle was looking to move forward when the GAMMA88 machine went just slightly off the dry line, sending him off track. The No. 61 made contact with the tire barrier and Frisselle would make another pit stop for repairs to the nose and splitter. Despite the extra time spent in pit lane, Frisselle would fight back for a ninth place result.

“It was typical GRAND-AM Daytona Prototype racing,” offered Frisselle. “There is a line of cars and everyone is fighting for every inch of the track. I made a small mistake when there was a one-groove racetrack with the drying line. I touched the wet line and I was off. We were thrilled to have GAMMA88 on board again this weekend and the whole team did a great job. We just have to work even harder and come to the next one ready to go get ‘em.”

The GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series heads to Lime Rock Park for the Memorial Day Classic in round five of the championship May 29-30. The race will air live on SPEED beginning at 2:00 PM (ET).