MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The start of the newly re-branded Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires this past weekend (March 1-2) proved to be an up-and down affair for three-time series champion JDC MotorSports. While the talented foursome of Nick Andries, Zack Meyer, Juan Piedrahita, and Lloyd Read all showed good speed, some setbacks prevented them from securing the results desired during the Circuit of The Americas doubleheader in Texas.
After a busy 'off-season' of preparations and testing, the JDC MotorSports crew and racers were excited to begin the quest for Pro Mazda top honors at the home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix just outside of Austin, Texas. As planned, the opening day of promoter's test day sessions was utilized to get further acclimated to the 3.427-mile, 20-turn track, as well as develop the racing steeds for qualifying and the two races. The trio of Piedrahita, Read, and Meyer did just that, with repeated top-10 times.
When the 2013 Pro Mazda campaign officially commenced one day later, the JDC effort became a four-car affair, with multiple series race winner Andries joining via a last minute program. After a morning practice session, it was time to set the grid for Round One by going after a fast lap in the lone qualifying session. The JDC contingent was ultimately led by the No. 9 Petrosur/Sisolec/GFK Motors/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry of Piedrahita, who turned the seventh quickest time. Read made it two JDC entries in the top-10, with the 10th best time in the No. 16 Read Motorsports/Aerocraft Design/Maaco/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports car. Andries, who was still getting acclimated to his car and the track, posted the 11th best time in the No. 19 Andries Racing/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry, while Meyer earned a row seven starting position with the 14th quick time in the No. 66 Damis Partners III/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry.
With rolling starts now on tap in series competition, the opening few corners proved to be the deciding factor for the JDC contingent in Round One. For Meyer, a great launch rapidly had the Canadian among the top-10 and fighting for a place among the top-five. At the other end of the spectrum, contact ended both Andries and Piedrahita's race before lap one was even completed. Meyer in the end led the JDC charge, emerging from a multi-car dice with a strong seventh place result, taking the checkered flag ahead of Read in 11th.
With each driver's starting position for race two of the twin bill being determined by their fastest lap in race one, Round Two commenced with Meyer lined up on the second row, Read on row five, and Andries and Piedrahita at the rear of the field, having not completed a lap in the opening race. Much like race one, race two proved to be an up-and-down outing for the JDC contingent. The trio of Meyer, Andries, and Read all showcased good speed and racecraft, crossing the line in formation after 12 laps in seven, eighth and ninth respectively. Piedrahita, unfortunately, once again failed to see the checkered flag, retiring prematurely.
While the JDC racers certainly did not exit the first-ever Pro Mazda visit to the Circuit of The Americas with the results desired, they and the entire squad remain upbeat and focused on success as the 16-race Mazda Road to Indy series moves forward.
"The weekend went almost as good as I could ask for considering the circumstances," stated Andries. "We definitely had our ups and downs, but accomplished the goal of scoring points in any form possible. I'm looking at my season as truly kicking off at St.Pete, and contending for wins from then on out. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get in the car this weekend. I am surrounded by family and friends that have a no quit attitude, and will give everything I need to help me continue what I love doing."
"Both races had unexpected incidents for us, so we were unable to show the speed we had in the car," said Read. "These things happen, but it is still early days in the season. I'm expecting to get back in the championship chase at St. Pete."
"We had a very tough weekend," commented Piedrahita. "We were making progress on track, and the car looked to be very competitive in qualifying. Unfortunately, during both races we couldn't show our true potential. I'm now looking forward to St Pete!"
JDC MotorSports and its talented line-up of Andries, Meyer, Piedrahita, and Read now have a quick break in the action, before resuming the quest for Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires supremacy on March 23-24, with Rounds Three and Four on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
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
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.