Frisselle Sibling Rivalry Takes a Different Turn for 2008

From a Porsche-powered Doran Daytona Prototype to a Pontiac GTO GT class entry to a Lexus-motivated Riley, Burt and Brian Frisselle have shared a lot of fast race cars the last few years, but as the 2008 Rolex Sports Car season gets underway, the two brothers enter the season as competitors, rather than co-drivers, for the first time in their young careers.

AIM Autosport has signed Brian Frisselle to a full season co-driving with Mark Wilkins in the No. 61 Exchange Traded Gold Riley, which will now employ Ford power. After sharing the driving duties in that car with Brian last year, Burt will open up the 2008 Rolex season in a familiar place as Mike Shank has once again brought the Colorado youngster in for the season-opening endurance challenge.

While the two brothers relished their time together as co-drivers, it’s no surprise that these two highly competitive siblings are now looking forward to doing battle on the track.

“It’s a little bit weird not to be sharing a car with my brother this year, but I think we are both in really good, competitive situations, and I think it’s going to be fun to see where we end up in the results," said Brian. “It’d be great to share a podium with him, just so long as I’m looking down at him from the top!"

Burt and Brian scored their best career Rolex 24 At Daytona result together in 2007, and with both AIM Autosport and Michael Shank Racing setting remarkably quick times in testing, they are both hoping to move that career best result further up the charts this year.

“That’s definitely something that is making this transition a lot easier, the fact that we are both in cars that really have legitimate shots at a victory," said Burt. “Obviously I hope that sometime down the road we get the chance to share a car again, but we both know that we have great opportunities this year and we want to make the most of them."

While he enjoyed sharing the driving duties with his brother Burt last year, Brian anticipates that this season should generate even stronger results.

“Burt and I have similar driving styles and communicate really well together, but I think that this year having a consistent communication with Mark (Wilkins) and Ian (Willis, AIM Autosport team principal) is going to pay off," said Brian. “Knowing we have a shot with this car not just in the first race, but also all season long and in the championship, we’re all very motivated about this season."

Even though the two brothers get along remarkably well, there is no question that a burning desire to compete exists with both of them.

“I know that whenever I am missing racing with my little brother, I can just check in and see how he’s doing," said Burt. “In my rear view mirror."