French racer Latorre adds top-10 to rookie resume
PALMETTO, FLA. – The chase for Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda supremacy ended for JAY Motorsports this past weekend (October 5-6) with Rounds 13-14 on the streets of Houston, Texas. With rising French teenager Florian Latorre behind the wheel, the Florida-based squad overcame contact in race one to secure a top-10 finish in race two, and sixth place in the final championship fight.
With a pair of street circuit podium finishes already in the 2013 record books, the entire JAY Motorsports squad was excited about the season-finale doubleheader on the streets around Reliant Park in Houston. Given the limited amount of track time before Round 13, Latorre and the JAY Motorsports crew focused on setup and development of the No. 91 13th Avenue/MASM-Cogny/Accent du Sud Ouest/JAY Motorsports racer during both practice and qualifying. That being said, the 16 year-old was a driver to keep an eye on in both sessions, in the end securing a row four starting position for the opening affair via the seventh quickest lap.
After further discussion and analysis between driver and crew, it was time to go racing on Saturday morning. Latorre got away cleanly when the green flag waved, immediately dicing for positions. Focused on not only a top-five result, but potentially another trip to the post-race podium, the former French Formula 4 National Auto Sport Academy Championship Rookie of the Year showcased both his pace and racecraft. Unfortunately, just prior to the checkered flag waving, contact with one of the concrete retaining walls while battling for positions ended Latorre's race premature. At the conclusion of the 13-lap affair, the JAY Motorsports rookie was classified 21st.
While the result from race one of the Texas twin bill was less than desired, the JAY Motorsports up-and-comer had posted the sixth quickest race lap, securing a row three starting position for Round 14. In a repeat of the opening race, Latorre got a good launch when the action got underway in very wet conditions. Rapidly joining the fight for places among the top-five, the stage was set for a potential top-three finish to end the season. While Latorre ran as high as fourth in the closing stages, some late race shuffling in the tricky conditions ultimately featured the teenage rookie crossing the stripe in 10th.
"It was difficult weekend in Houston," stated Latorre. "We had the performance to run with the leaders, but were unable to achieve the results desired in the races. I want to thank Dan, Michelle, and the entire USF2000 Championship for a great season. I additionally want to say a big thank you to my team. JAY Motorsports has done an outstanding job throughout the year. It was a fantastic experience, and I am already very excited about 2014, where it is my ambition to win the title."
Latorre ended his inaugural season of North American of junior formula car competition sixth in the USF2000 Championship driver standings, while JAY Motorsports came home eighth in the team standings, despite being a single-car outfit. In addition, team principle Jay Green was presented with the Spirit Award at the year-end banquet following the races, which is given to the team or driver that embodies the “heart of a champion” as they aspire to reach their goals.
Drivers interested in joining JAY Motorsports, are encouraged to contact team principal Jay Green.
Additional information on JAY Motorsports can be obtained from the team’s website @ JAYMotorsports.com. For direct contact, please contact Jay Green @ 304-610-5663 or jaymotorsports1@gmail.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ jaymtrsprt and on Facebook @ JAYMotorsportsLLC. Videos also available on YouTube @ JAY Motorsports.
Learn more about Florian Latorre via Twitter @ FlorianLATORRE and Facebook @ Florian Latorre Pro.
###
About JAY Motorsports:
JAY Motorsports, LLC is a family owned and operated racing organization based in Florida. Led by former racer Jay Green, the team became one of the highest rated customer service representatives within the SCCA's spec categories. With countless wins in SCCA Club and Pro competition, the team has become a mainstay in junior driver development over the years. By winning the 2009 and 2012 SCCA Formula Enterprises National Championships, they propelled their drivers to win spots on the prestigious MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Team in 2009 and 2012. In addition to the 2009 and 2012 Runoffs gold medals, JAY Motorsports was the 2006 MARRS Spec Racer Ford champion, 2007 SCCA National Great Lakes Division Spec Racer Ford champion, 2008 SCCA National Great Lakes Division Spec Racer Ford and Formula Enterprises champion, 2008 SCCA Great Lakes/Central Division Formula Car Magazine Formula Enterprises champion, 2008 Carolina Cup Pro Series Spec Racer Ford champion, and 2009 SCCA Southeast Division ECR Spec Racer Ford champion. This past season, JAY Motorsports entered the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda full-time, contesting both the National and Championship classes.