AIM Autosport & Camp Boggy Creek

AIM Autosport and the Grand American Road Racing Association offered a fan's dream during the Oct. 12 Champagne Ball auction to benefit Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, Fla. The Canadian Daytona Prototype team combined with the series to create an honourary crew membership for the 2008 Rolex 24 At Daytona in January, giving the high bidder an inside view of Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series racing.

Gene Reed of Charleston, S.C., bid $5000 for the package, which includes track credentials, hot-pit passes and luxury suite access during the 24-hour race. As AIM's guest, he will receive private engineering and technical briefings, attend a driver meeting and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. His race souvenirs will include team clothing and a custom poster signed by Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey, who also competes in the Rolex Series.

Grand-Am president Roger Edmondson has worked tirelessly to support Camp Boggy Creek. He was excited to team with AIM to present the Rolex 24 package.

"Boggy Creek isn't just a proud charity of Grand-Am. It's a very special place that has become part of our racing community," he said. "It's great to see a young team like AIM Autosport participate in such a meaningful way. The entire crew visited the camp in July to support the Frisselle brothers' mini-golf tournament, and now AIM has joined with us to raise $5000 for the camp. We look forward to continuing this wonderful association."

Ian Willis, co-owner of AIM Autosport, noted Reed's contribution will give two children a memorable week at Camp Boggy Creek, one of the Hole in The Wall Camps founded by actor Paul Newman for children who have chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

"AIM is proud to support Camp Boggy Creek and we are very excited that Gene will join our team for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the Rolex 24," Willis said. "We are looking forward to our second year in the series and a continued association with Camp Boggy Creek. Gene will certainly enjoy his prize, but equally important is the joy that two deserving young children will get by visiting the camp courtesy of his generous bid."

Last week's auction raised more than $200,000 for Camp Boggy Creek. Sarah Gurtis, Boggy Creek's vice-president of marketing and corporate development, was thrilled with the racers' support.

"Our largest fundraiser of the year, the Daytona Harley-Davidson Ride For Children, now includes a Champagne Ball. Supporting that event is just one more way that Grand-Am and AIM Autosport have stepped up to help Camp Boggy Creek. Their VIP package for the 2008 Rolex 24 At Daytona will be an experience to remember for a lifetime and we cannot thank them enough," she said.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona is scheduled for Jan. 26 and 27 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

From Sylvia Proudfoot for AIM Autosport