Talented foursome of Andries, Meyer, Piedrahita, and Read set to add to Minnesota team's success in St. Petersburg
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The quest for another junior formula car title resumes for multiple champion JDC MotorSports this weekend (March 23-24), when Rounds Three and Four of the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires are contested on the streets of St. Petersburg. With the skilled foursome of Nick Andries, Zack Meyer, Juan Piedrahita, and Lloyd Read sliding behind the wheels during the Florida doubleheader, the Minnesota-based squad is poised to build on its strong history of street racing success.
Just under a month after starting the 2013 season at the modern Circuit of The Americas road course in Texas, the Pro Mazda field will face a much different challenge during the second event on the series calendar...street racing. While the tight confines of the 1.8-mile, 14-turn track can be intimidating, JDC MotorSports enters the twin bill full of confidence.
For Andries and Piedrahita, the St. Petersburg doubleheader is one of the events most looked forward to on the championship schedule. Born and raised in the area, Andries relishes the chance to pilot the No. 19 Andries Racing/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry around the concrete lined track, not only because he can race in front of family, friends, and supporters, but also because he has enjoyed success on street circuits, twice having stood on the podium. Piedrahita, who pilots the No. 9 Petrosur/Sisolec/GFK Motors/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports racer, likewise enjoys the challenge of battling inside the 'concrete jungle', having finished as the runner-up last time the series raced in St. Petersburg.
While Meyer has not quite matched the results of his fellow Pro Mazda returnees, the Canadian has shown an affinity for street racing. As a rookie last season, the No. 66 Damis Partners III/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports pilot scored his best results on the similar fast and bumpy street circuit in Toronto.
Read may not enter the Florida twin bill with the experience of his teammates, but he certainly does not go in empty handed. Not only will he benefit from the JDC trios knowledge, but the driver of the No. 16 Read Motorsports/Aerocraft Design/Maaco/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports will have the squad's vast knowledge and expertise to draw upon.
JDC MotorSports has proven to be one, if not the team to beat, in St. Petersburg, taking home a podium finish in every Pro Mazda (formerly Star Mazda Championship) race contested at the Florida street circuit.
Given the talent in and out of the cockpits under the JDC MotorSports awning, combined with the team's track record of success, the stage is set for multiple challenges for top honors this coming weekend.
"I love racing in St. Pete," said Andries. "It is one of my favorite races of the year. It is the one race on the schedule where all my family and friends get to come watch me race, so it is really something special for me. Getting a late start in Texas put us behind the eight ball, but starting at St. Pete I think you will see us at the top of the timesheets and looking to take home race wins."
"I'm looking forward to this weekend," commented Piedrahita. "St. Pete is my favorite race track, and we always perform really well there. Last year we finished a runner-up, so this year I'm planning to win the race."
"I'm really looking forward to a podium in St. Pete this weekend," said Meyer. "There is no reason why we shouldn't be on it. The previous weekend in Texas showed our speed and consistency. The car is good, and I'm very ready for a great weekend."
"I am extremely anxious to get back in my JDC MotorSports race car in St. Pete this weekend," added Read. "The JDC crew has been hard at work these past couple of weeks prepping the cars, so a good result this weekend would be a stellar way to pay back the boys for all their hard work."
As part of the IZOD IndyCar Series season-opener, JDC MotorSports' Andries, Meyer, Piedrahita, and Read will first sample the St. Petersburg street circuit on Friday (March 22) via a pair of practice sessions. The lone Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires qualifying run takes place on Saturday morning (March 23), followed by Round Three at 1:10 pm local time. The Florida doubleheader concludes one day later with Round Four at 3 pm local time. Live timing and scoring will be available at www.promazdachampionship.com/timing
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from www.RedLineOil.com
Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ www.jdcmotorsports.com For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075
Learn more about Nick Andries at NickAndries.com and keep up to date via Twitter @NickAndries81 and Facebook @ NickAndriesRacing
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 @ LloydReadRacing
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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.