Indianapolis, Indiana – Juncos Racing is pleased to announce Nicolas Dapero has joined the team for his rookie season in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. Dapero is the second driver to commit to the championship winning team’s Pro Mazda lineup.
Earlier this year Nicolas Dapero (Buenos Aires, Argentina) joined Juncos Racing’s Driver Development Program in order to make his way into the Mazda Road to Indy ladder series. Dapero tested with the team throughout the year, while learning all aspects of the team, car and series, on and off track. The young Argentinian made his debut in Pro Mazda during the series official test at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course test back in June.
“I am very happy to join Juncos Racing,” said Dapero. “Throughout the year of testing I realized that they are an amazing team. I love the way they work and I feel comfortable with all the team members. I am looking forward to starting the season and I am sure next year will be amazing!”
Dapero began his racing career competing in various karting series throughout Argentina. In 2012 Dapero competed in ROTAX of Buenos Aires, the Florida Winter Tour, and the ROTAX Euro Challenge claiming one win and three podiums. Dapero continued his run in karts in 2013 competing in the ROTAX MAX Challenge in Buenos Aires taking two wins and six podiums. The following year Dapero won the 2014 ROTAX Argentina Championship with three wins, four poles, and eight podiums. The young Argentinian moved into the Formula Metropolitana series in 2014 earning three podiums and one pole position.
Chelo La Manna started working with Dapero as his driver coach three years ago in Argentina. La Manna saw great potential in Dapero at his young age, which led them to connect with longtime friend Ricardo Juncos.
“I am very happy to work with a great team like Juncos Racing,” said La Manna. “When I started working with Nico (Dapero) in Argentina, I knew we would eventually take his career to the next level of racing in the United States. I have known Ricardo (Juncos) for many years and saw Juncos Racing as a great fit for Nico. I have full confidence the team will have a great season with Nico and I look forward to working hard to achieve our goals in 2016.”
Team Principle Ricardo Juncos, is pleased to add Dapero to the strong driver lineup after a successful year testing within the Juncos Driver Development Program. Juncos a native of Argentina, is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Dapero and to help expand his career into the Mazda Road to Indy program.
“I am very excited to announce that Nico Dapero will be joining our team for the 2016 Pro Mazda season,” said Juncos. “Not only has Nico participated in our JDDP (Juncos Driver Development Program), but he is from my home country of Argentina. Having the opportunity to help another Argentinian driver has always been a dream of mine, which has again become reality thanks to Nico and his partners. We have already completed extensive testing with Nico, which began in 2014. He has all the makings of a future champion and I look forward to our upcoming years together.”
For more information please visit juncosracing.com.