French up-and-comer Latorre finished an impressive second and third in Rounds Six and Seven in Canada
PALMETTO, FLA. – JAY Motorsports enjoyed a breakthrough return to Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda action over the weekend (July 13-14), scoring two podium finishes on the demanding street circuit in downtown Toronto, Ont. French rising star Florian Latorre was a driver to watch during the Canadian doubleheader, challenging for top honors in both Rounds Six and Six, ultimately securing a runner-up finish in race one, and third place result in race two. With the two visits to the post-race celebrations, the JAY Motorsports rookie pilot now sits fourth in the title fight.
Last time JAY Motorsports took to a fast and bumpy street circuit in St. Petersburg, Fla., it showed an affinity for the tight concrete confines via two strong outings. That being the case, both the Florida-based squad and its talented 16 year-old rookie were excited to return from the USF2000 summer series hiatus with a pair of races on the streets of Toronto.
Latorre promptly set the tone for the weekend in the opening two practice runs on the 1.755-mile track around the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, posting the second quickest lap in both sessions. That trend continued in the lone qualifying run. Overcoming the expected traffic of 28 cars on-track at once, the No. 91 13th Avenue/MASM-Cogny/Accent du Sud Ouest/JAY Motorsports pilot secured his best starting position to date, earning a row two starting position via the third best time.
While the Toronto track configuration features more passing zones than many street circuits, Latorre was aware that getting a good clean start would be key to a successful race. When the green flag waved for race one of the twin bill on Saturday morning, the JAY Motorsports racer did just that, working his way past the championship leader into second place. Latorre from that point forward routinely pressured the eventual race winner, while at the same point keeping an eye on attacks from behind. While two re-starts following full-course cautions presented a few opportunities, the skilled JAY Motorsports rookie in the end crossed the stripe in second, securing his and the squad's first visit to the USF2000 Championship podium.
"The team gave me a great car," stated Latorre. "They worked very hard between [the last race] at Indianapolis and here, so when we arrived and put the car on the track she was good from the start. This is a great result for myself and for the team."
After going over the data from a superb run in race one, and looking how to go even better in race two with the double SCCA Formula Enterprises National Championship-winning squad, Latorre was back behind the wheel on Sunday morning for Round Seven. Getting the green flag from third place, a hectic start that featured multiple cars involved in incidents witnessed Latorre being shuffled down to sixth place before the first of several full-course caution periods. The former French Formula 4 National Auto Sport Academy Championship Rookie of the Year didn't panic however, utilizing the limited green flag laps to work his way back forward. Thanks to some bold passes, Latorre ultimately ended the twin bill with a second consecutive trip to the post-race podium with a third place result.
"I fell back at the start, and it was pretty hard to come back because of the limited number of laps," said Latorre. "I think we had a car for a win today. It was a good weekend. From the beginning, we had a good car. I think we will have a great car for the next race at Mid-Ohio, and I have to thank the team for the results this weekend."
Next up for Latorre and the JAY Motorsports squad is a tripleheader at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in support of the IZOD IndyCar Series on August 3-4. Latorre enters Rounds Eight, Nine, and Ten, fourth in the championship standings, second in the rookie fight, while JAY Motorsports is eighth in the team standings despite being a single-car team.
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 at 304-610-5663 or jaymotorsports1@gmail.com, and keep up to date via Twitter @ jaymtrsprt and on Facebook @ JAYMotorsportsLLC.
Learn more about Florian Latorre via Twitter @FlorianLATORRE and Facebook @ Florian Latorre Pro.
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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.