TORONTO, ONT, CANADA – There will be a full squad of drivers under the Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing awnings this weekend as the team travels north of the border to Toronto for the annual Mazda Road to Indy event on the streets of the largest city in Canada.  Four drivers will represent the team in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, including point leaders Parker Thompson and Anthony Martin, sophomore Nikita Lastochkin and impressive rookie Jordan Cane.  In the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, French pilot Nico Jamin will represent Mazda as the reigning USF2000 champ, and will return to the 1.755-mile, 11-turn street circuit where he was victorious in 2015.  Cape will add a second Pro Mazda pilot in Toronto, as Jorge Cevallos will make his return to the series after a brief mid-season hiatus that included testing overseas. 

Frenchman Nico Jamin has been steadily building his pace in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, and his recent performances at Road America have fueled great momentum heading to the streets of Toronto. In 2015, Jamin was victorious in the USF2000 event in Canada, winning the second race of the doubleheader, beginning a six-race win streak for Cape Motorsports that resulted in the series championship and his Mazdaspeed scholarship for 2016.  Jamin and the team had a very successful test at Mid-Ohio in mid-June and this transferred to Road America, where Nico stepped onto the podium in the second race of the doubleheader. 

American driver Cevallos began the year with another team, running at St. Petersburg and Barber Motorsports Park, and he will join Jamin in Pro Mazda. The 22-year-old, who has Ulcerative Colitis, is working hard to get back to 100% having undergone surgery for the condition in late 2014 and 2015.  Jorge has focused on his health and stamina, and also spent time testing in Europe during his break from the Pro Mazda series to prepare for his return. 

Cape’s USF2000 program is as strong as ever, and they arrive in Toronto with two of their drivers in a tie in the championship standings. Australian Anthony Martin swept the races at Road America, and has won four of the last fives races, which include wins at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the Freedom 75 at the Carb Night Classic at Lucas Oil Raceway.  The Canadian Thompson has shown both winning form and consistency, having swept the wins at Barber Motorsports Park, adding a third victory in Indianapolis. Parker will be focused on success in his home country event.  Lastochkin turned in a pair of top-eight finishes at Road America, while the freshman Cane joined the team for the first time in Wisconsin and delivered a sixth place finish in Race #2 at Elkhart.  The quartet will be gunning to sweep the podium in Toronto. 

The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda events at Toronto get underway with two official 30-minute practice sessions on Friday (July 15) at 8:00 am and 1:45 pm EDT.  Cape’s quartet of drivers will qualify at 9:10 am on Saturday (July 16) and will run the first race less than two hours later at11:30 am. The second race is set for 8:25 am on Sunday morning (July 17). Jamin and Cevallos will take to the track on Friday at 8:40 am and 4:15 pm for their Pro Mazda Presented by Cooper Tires practice sessions, and will be on-track on Saturday morning bright and early at 7:50 am for qualifying. The races will be held at 5:20 pm on Saturday and 9:25 am on Sunday.

DRIVER QUOTES: 

Parker Thompson – USF2000 - #2 Weyburn Energy

"This isn't just any race coming up! This is my favorite race of the entire calendar, and not just because it's my home Grand Prix. The Streets of Toronto is one of the most unique, and difficult circuits in the world. I really look forward to showcasing my strength on another street course, and in front of my country! I also look forward to representing the Canadian fans at the event, along with all of my partners I have attending my home race." 

Anthony Martin – USF2000 - #8 Burgess BLA

“I am looking forward to Toronto so much. I have great momentum and I hope to keep that going into the demanding street circuit. The Cape boys will be doing everything they can to get the Burgess BLA car bouncing to the front!” 

Nikita Lastochkin – USF2000 - #9 Russkaya Mekhanika

"I am super excited to get back on the streets of Toronto. I had a lot of fun there last year and with the field being as big as it is this year, I think it will be a great event. The city itself is a really cool place and the atmosphere made by the fans who show up make it a standout event on the calendar for me. Looking at how the races went for me at this event last year, as a rookie driver on a rookie team, I feel very confident coming back to Canada with the Cape Motorsport support behind me." 

Jordan Cane – USF2000 - #6 Adidas

“I’m really looking forward to Toronto, as it is a new experience for me culture-wise. The track looks like great fun and the city around the event looks like a place I would want to live. Also, Toronto happens to be where one of my favourite rappers comes from, which is Drake.” 

Nico Jamin – Pro Mazda - #2 Mazdaspeed

“I’ve been looking forward to getting back in the car since Road America to keep the momentum we have going forward. The Toronto street track is a great circuit, challenging but fun, and it is a cool city. It will be great going back to Toronto especially as I have had success there before, winning in USF2000 last season. I feel very good and ready to race for my first win in Pro Mazda." 

Jorge Cevallos – Pro Mazda - #4 Telmex / Visit Baja California

“I'm extremely excited to be joining Cape Motorsports and returning to the Mazda Road to Indy at Toronto. So far, we have been working well together, and I am sure that with the tools they are offering me we will be fighting at the top.” 

About Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing:

Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing was formed in 2010 as a partnership between two successful racing entities. With leadership from brothers Nicholas and Dominic Cape, and along with Wayne Taylor and his organization in Indianapolis, the team campaigns cars in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. The goal of Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing is to provide unmatched driver development both on and off the track.  It is difficult for a young driver to jump into a professional series and win, regardless of talent.  Through coaching and mentoring, Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing provides young drivers with as much knowledge of motorsports to become as successful as possible.