Mark Wilkins

Education

lieutenant was not until 2007 when Wilkins took part in a full season of Grand-Am when he finished fifteenth overall with no wins.

Career

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. 2008 was a breakthrough season for both Wilkins, co-driver Brian Frisselle and the rest of the American Institute of Management 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. 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. In 2009, Brian Frisselle left American Institute of Management for SunTrust Bank 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.

Achievements

• At the very next race in Montreal, the team achieved their first race victory in one of the most chaotic final laps in history. They then followed up that win with another the following weekend, at Watkins Glen International.