Minnesota-based team ready for 2013 Mazda Road to Indy title chase with talented driver line-up MINNEAPOLIS, MN. – With the ultimate goal of adding another junior formula car title to its already impressive resume, JDC MotorSports travels to the historic Sebring International Raceway next week (March 14-15) to commence the 2013 edition of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. With the talented line-up of second-year racer Michael Johnson and rookies Stefan Rzadzinski, Arthur Oliveira, and Clark Toppe getting behind the wheel, the stage is set for a strong start to the 14-race championship fight.
While it will be just over six months since the last USF2000 Championship race was contested in Virginia, the JDC drivers and crew travel to Sebring in central Florida with plenty of recent on-track experience, thanks to off-season testing and the highly-competitive Cooper Tires Winterfest series. The pre-season championship in particular provided the JDC foursome the opportunity to not only get acclimated with their 2013 racing steeds, but additionally work on car and driver development at the very track where the USF2000 Championship is getting underway, with the opening three races of the Winterfest series having been run at Sebring.
Rzadzinski enters his inaugural full-series event full of confidence. The Canadian was quickly up to speed in his No. 93 CanTorque/Christenson Developments/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry during the Winterfest tripleheader at Sebring, earning a fourth-place finish in the opening round en route to three top-10 finishes. Given these results, combined with the valuable data/information and experience gained, many expect the USF2000 Championship rookie to be on-form right from the waving of the first green flag.
"I'm really looking forward to getting back on track at Sebring in the CanTorque/Christenson Developments car," stated Rzadzinski. "I think we gained some valuable track experience and knowledge throughout Winterfest, and we will be looking to make the most out of the start of this season! I know the JDC MotorSports car will be ready, so I can't wait to get after it."
The lone paralyzed racer within the Mazda Road to Indy program, Johnson likewise is ready to build on previous success when the USF2000 cars hit the track. While the No. 54 Universal Coating/SpeediCath/FlatOutNation.com/Red Line Oil/Bell Racing/Alpinestars/JDC MotorSports pilot did not garner the results he desired during the three Winterfest races around the 3.74-mile track, Johnson has indicated he is poised to take the next step in his second-year of series action, after ending the second annual Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a narrow second on the speedcharts.
"I'm really excited to get back in the groove of racing and back to the warm weather," commented Johnson. "I learned quite a bit during the Winterfest races, so hopefully I can apply everything at Sebring and be on top!"
Driving the No. 12 Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports racer, Oliveira is eager to build on his strong initial USF2000 outings. The Brazilian impressed many during the Sebring Winterfest races, showcasing good racecraft and increasing pace. With added experience, it is believed he will quickly become a key ingredient in JDC MotorSports' continued pursuit of USF2000 trophies.
"After the Winterfest events we went over my performance, and I am excited about how things are going," commented Oliveira. "Undoubtedly the little time I have in the car is the main thing we are working on, but I have all the tools to minimize this problem. I got more interaction with my mechanic and engineer during the series, which really helps. Outside of the cockpit I am more relaxed with my new life in Miami now, which has been helping me greatly. I'm looking forward to returning to Sebring."
Toppe returns to the fast and bumpy road course in Florida ready to further showcase his talents. One of the youngest series competitors at just 15 years of age, he is ready to make the most of JDC's vast pro F2000 experience to steadily work his way up the timing sheets each time on track.
"I'm very excited for the start of the season," added Toppe. "I've had a chance to have some track time at Sebring since Winterfest running in the Skip Barber Winter series. I'm feeling confident about the track, and the performance of the car setup by JDC."
The pursuit of Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda top honors commences for JDC MotorSports and its skilled foursome of Johnson, Oliveira, Rzadzinski, and Toppe on March 12, with a pair of promoter's test days as part of the 61st running of the renowned Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring event. The official action gets underway one day later with two practice runs around the Sebring International Raceway road course. Qualifying for Round One will take place on Thursday morning (March 14), prior to race one of the doubleheader at 1:35 pm local time. Following a morning warm-up, Round Two will be contested on March 15 at 10:40 am. Live timing and scoring will be available at www.usf2000.com/Multimedia/Live.aspx
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 Michael Johnson at michaeljohnsonracing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ Racer54isCool and Facebook @ Michael-Johnson-Racing.
Learn more about Stefan Rzadzinski at www.rzadracing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ rzadracing and Facebook @ Stefan-Rzadzinski.
Learn more about Clark Toppe via Twitter @ ClarkToppe and Facebook @ Clark-Toppe-Motorsports.
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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, and finished as the Prototype Lites Championship runner-up in 2012.