MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – JDC MotorSports earned valuable Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires points this past weekend (July 20-21) with a solid, yet trying effort at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Both Zack Meyer and Lloyd Read showcased good skill behind the wheel in Rounds Nine and Ten, each exiting the twin bill with a pair of top-10s. Juan Piedrahita only took part in the opening affair, following a significant incident. The three-time series champion is now focused on re-igniting its quest for top honors in Ohio.
Mere days after adding to its top-three tally in the second tier of the Mazda Road to Indy program on the streets of Toronto, the JDC MotorSports Pro Mazda cars were back on-course at the daunting Canadian Tire Motorsport Park road course just outside of Bowmanville, Ont. Given the Minnesota-based team has achieved success at the high-speed 2.459-mile track over the years, the drivers and crew were looking forward to the second back-to-back event 'North of the Border'.
The JDC trio got the ball rolling in fine fashion during the promoter's test day, as Piedrahita's No. 9 Petrosur/Sisolec/GFK Motors/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry was second quickest in the first session, prior to Meyer and Read going first and third fastest in wet conditions during the second session. When the Pro Mazda action officially commenced one day later via two practice runs, Piedrahita continued to make his mark, cracking the top-four in both outings, while Meyer made the most of racing on home soil by being fifth quick in practice one.
Following a night of data analysis and planning, the lone Pro Mazda qualifying session took place early on Saturday morning. Ultimately the 30-minute session proved to be a frustrating affair for the JDC trio, as a competitor struck the barriers just after the JDC cars had stopped for tires, and none of the three cars were able to post a true flyer due to the session being shortened.
Putting the results from the timed-run behind them, all three racers were ready to push forward when the field got the green flag for Round Nine just prior to the lunch break. The JDC racers initially looked poised to do just that, however, on lap four disaster struck when Piedrahita went off-course in turn three making heavy contact with the tire barriers, ending not only his race, but his participation in the rest of the event. The subsequent clean-up and track repair in the end resulted in just a couple green flags laps, limiting both Meyer and Read’s ability to advance up the charts. That being said, when the checkered flag waved, the duo had secured valuable points by finishing seventh and ninth respectively.
Returning to the cockpits one day later, after the conclusion of the American Le Mans Series race, the Pro Mazda racers lined-up for Round 10 via either their qualifying lap or best lap from race one, placing Meyer on row four and Read on row five. Unlike the first outing, race two witnessed plenty of green flag action and lots of entertaining dicing for positions. Meyer and Read promptly showcased their racecraft skills in front of the large crowd, going side-side with their fellow competitors multiple times. In the end, Meyer advanced the No. 66 Damis Partners III/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports to a strong top-five finish, while Read crossed the stripe in seventh.
The JDC MotorSports racers and crew now have a brief break, before returning to action at the technical Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 3-4. The three-time series champion enters Rounds 11 and 12 of the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires currently fourth in the team standings. Meyer tops the driver contingent in sixth, just ahead of Read and Piedrahita in eighth, and ninth.
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from RedLineOil.com
Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ www.jdcmotorsport.com For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075
Learn more about Zack Meyer at ZackMeyer.ca and keep up to date via Twitter @ ZackMeyer66
Learn more about Juan Piedrahita at JuanchoPiedrahitac.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ Juanpc9 and Facebook @ Juan Diego Piedrahita "Juancho"
Learn more about Lloyd Read at LloydReadRacing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ LloydRead16 and Facebook @ Lloyd Read Racing Videos also available on YouTube @ LloydRead16
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About JDC MotorSports:
Involved in formula car racing since its inception in 1994, JDC MotorSports has established itself as one of the leading junior open-wheel teams in North America. Initially making its mark in the F2000 class of club racing competition, JDC MotorSports was soon a team worth watching in the pro ranks. Competing in the Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Championship, the team not only won races, but also helped develop multiple young drivers. In 2005, JDC MotorSports expanded its efforts, entering the Star Mazda Championship. Quickly becoming one of the top teams in the series, JDC captured both the driver and team titles in 2007, as well as Rookie of the Year honors, with Dane Cameron scoring a series-high three wins. In 2008, JDC MotorSports was the runner-up in the Star Mazda Championship and finished fourth in its inaugural season of F2000 Championship Series competition. The Minnesota-based team won the Star Mazda Championship title with Rookie of the Year Adam Christodoulou, and the F2000 Championship Series title with Chris Miller in 2009. The following year, JDC continued its winning ways, earning the Rookie of the Year award in the Star Mazda Championship with Connor De Phillippi, and scoring a non-points win in the USF2000 National Championship. In 2011, the Minneapolis-based squad captured its third Star Mazda Championship title with Tristan Vautier, scored a win in the USF2000 National Championship, and made its Prototype Lites Championship debut, earning five podium finishes. JDC MotorSports added to its Star Mazda Championship win tally, USF2000 Championship podium total in 2012, and finished as the Prototype Lites Championship runner-up.