Mark Wilkins (racing driver)
Encyclopedia
Mark Wilkins is a Canadian
professional racing driver who currently drives a Daytona Prototype
for AIM Autosport in the Rolex Sports Car Series
.
Before racing in Grand-Am, Wilkins raced in the North American Fran Am 2000 Pro Championship with a best championship position of 4th in 2004. He then moved to the Star Mazda series for two seasons with the occasional Grand-Am race.
It wasn't until 2007
when Wilkins took part in a full season of Grand-Am when he finished fifteenth overall with no wins.
2008
was a breakthrough season for both Wilkins, co-driver Brian Frisselle and the rest of the AIM Autosport team in the championship. After four consecutive top ten finishes between rounds four and seven, their first real shot at victory was at Barber
in the ninth round. With twenty minutes remaining, their car's engine failed while leading. At the very next race in Montreal
, the team achieved their first race victory in one of the most chaotic final laps in history.
Starting the last lap in third, Wilkins had the cars of Joey Hand and Darren Law in front of him. Coming out of turn eight, Hand's car ran out of fuel denying him and Bill Auberlen
victory. Law assumed the lead but he too was running out of fuel. Having just negotiated the final chicane, Law's car stuttered and ran out. Wilkins and third-placed Antonio García had to take evasive action to avoid the Brumos Porsche with Wilkins going right and García being balked on the left just inches before the line. Wilkins held off the Spaniard by 0.064 seconds, in the closest finish in the series' history. They then followed up that win with another the following weekend, at Watkins Glen International
.
In 2009
, Brian Frisselle left AIM for SunTrust Racing
, so Wilkins' co-driver was Brian's brother, Burt Frisselle. The pairing had a solid season, finishing nine of the twelve races in the top ten and claiming ninth in the championship.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional racing driver who currently drives a Daytona Prototype
Daytona Prototype
A Daytona Prototype is a type of sports prototype racing car developed specifically for the Grand American Road Racing Association's Rolex Sports Car Series as their top class of car, replacing contemporary open cockpit sports cars, specifically Sports Racing Prototypes...
for AIM Autosport in the Rolex Sports Car Series
Rolex Sports Car Series
The Rolex Sports Car Series is the premier series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. It is a North American-based sports car series that was founded in 2000 under the name Grand American Road Racing Championship to replace the failed United States Road Racing Championship...
.
Before racing in Grand-Am, Wilkins raced in the North American Fran Am 2000 Pro Championship with a best championship position of 4th in 2004. He then moved to the Star Mazda series for two seasons with the occasional Grand-Am race.
It wasn't until 2007
2007 Rolex Sports Car Series season
The 2007 Rolex Sports Car Series season was the eighth season of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve. The 15-race championship for Daytona Prototypes and GT cars began January 27, 2007 and concluded on September 15, 2007. Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty shared...
when Wilkins took part in a full season of Grand-Am when he finished fifteenth overall with no wins.
2008
2008 Rolex Sports Car Series season
The 2008 Rolex Sports Car Series season is the ninth season of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. The 14-race championship for Daytona Prototypes and 13-race championship for Grand Touring cars began January 26, 2008 and will conclude on September 20, 2008...
was a breakthrough season for both Wilkins, co-driver Brian Frisselle and the rest of the AIM Autosport team in the championship. After four consecutive top ten finishes between rounds four and seven, their first real shot at victory was at Barber
Barber Motorsports Park
The Barber Motorsports Park is a multi-purpose racing facility located on the eastern fringes of Birmingham, Alabama, USA near Leeds. The facility was the vision of George Barber, and includes the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. In July 2009 officials announced that Barber will be the site of...
in the ninth round. With twenty minutes remaining, their car's engine failed while leading. At the very next race in Montreal
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit, venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series....
, the team achieved their first race victory in one of the most chaotic final laps in history.
Starting the last lap in third, Wilkins had the cars of Joey Hand and Darren Law in front of him. Coming out of turn eight, Hand's car ran out of fuel denying him and Bill Auberlen
Bill Auberlen
Bill Auberlen is a race car driver born in Redondo Beach, California, USA on 12 October 1968.Bill joined BMW Team PTG in 1996 after a very successful privateer effort. In 1997, Bill won the IMSA GT3 championship, driving a BMW M3...
victory. Law assumed the lead but he too was running out of fuel. Having just negotiated the final chicane, Law's car stuttered and ran out. Wilkins and third-placed Antonio García had to take evasive action to avoid the Brumos Porsche with Wilkins going right and García being balked on the left just inches before the line. Wilkins held off the Spaniard by 0.064 seconds, in the closest finish in the series' history. They then followed up that win with another the following weekend, at Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
.
In 2009
2009 Rolex Sports Car Series season
The 2009 Rolex Sports Car Series season is the tenth season of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. It is a 12-race schedule beginning at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and ending at Homestead-Miami Speedway...
, Brian Frisselle left AIM for SunTrust Racing
SunTrust Racing
SunTrust Racing is a professional sports car racing team competing in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype class. The team campaigns the No...
, so Wilkins' co-driver was Brian's brother, Burt Frisselle. The pairing had a solid season, finishing nine of the twelve races in the top ten and claiming ninth in the championship.