AIM Autosport puts rider Pegram in single-seater

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.

-source: aim autosport