INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Belardi Auto Racing announced this week that 16-year-old Luca Forgeois will compete for the team in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda 2012 season.

Forgeois, a New York City native, began racing go-karts at 13-years-old and has been following his racing career dream ever since.  He most recently competed in the USF2000 series during the 2011 season. The young New Yorker wrapped up the year with six 1st place finishes in his class where he clinched the National Class Championship title.  He previously competed in the Rotax Junior and Senior classes racing the Florida Winter Tour and the SKUSA Super Nationals among other races.  At Super Nationals in 2010 Luca qualified 27th out of 86 and finished in an impressive 12th place.

“I am extremely pleased to have signed with Belardi Auto Racing,” Forgeois said.  “They are a team with one of the best operations in the series.  Last year I noticed how if they weren’t in the lead, they were always challenging for it.  For that reason I have no doubt that the team will provide me with everything I need to succeed in the 2012 season.  To be part of such a professional and motivated team is an honor.  The team won races in USF2000 and has been competitive in other steps of the ladder system, so there is no question that they know how to succeed.  This is the type of team I want to affiliate myself with and hopefully grow with throughout my racing career.  I am very confident that 2012 will be a great year for me and Belardi Auto Racing.  I am really looking forward to the start of a great season.”

Team owner Brian Belardi is equally excited about the future of Luca with Belardi Auto Racing. “I am so pleased that Luca has chosen to team with Belardi Auto Racing for the 2012 season.  He showed tremendous speed in the National Class last year, and we are all very excited and looking forward to a great year together.”