Second-year racer from Texas set to build on solid rookie campaign
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. – JDC MotorSports is pleased to announce Texas up-and-comer Clark Toppe has rejoined the standout junior formula car outfit for a second season of Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda action in 2014. The American teenager will once again be part of a multi-car effort by the Minnesota-based team in the Mazda Road to Indy series, with the goal of building on what was a successful rookie campaign.
When the USF2000 Championship title chase officially commences in St. Petersburg, Fla., in late March, JDC MotorSports will once again have a driver worth keeping an eye on, thanks to the signing of returning racer Toppe. The multiple USF2000 race-winning team, which has a proven track record of developing young talent, is confident the 16-year-old from The Woodlands, Texas, is ready to take the next step in his evolution as a driver, following a solid first season of USF2000 action.
Toppe showcased continued growth behind the wheel in 2013. Despite having a great deal less experience than many of his counterparts, with only the Skip Barber Summer Series to draw upon outside of the karting ranks on his resume, he was consistently in the fight for positions among the top-10.
Given the experiences learned in his rookie campaign, combined with the resources under the JDC awning, both Toppe and JDC MotorSports are excited about what lies ahead in the 2014 edition of the USF2000 Championship.
"I'm very happy to be back with JDC MotorSports for the 2014 season," stated Toppe. "I think we can build on the good things we did this past year, and hopefully have some better luck. It's great going into it knowing what to expect in the terms of car setup and communication between myself and the team. I'm looking forward to running the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship again, and expanding my racecraft and skills."
"It is great to have Clark back for a second season," added JDC MotorSports owner John Church. "He is a super kid with a ton of potential. We are all looking forward to the 2014 season."
Preparations for the 2014 race season are already underway at JDC MotorSports' base of operations in Minnesota. As part of its off-season testing program, the squad is slated to take part in the annual Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama on December 9-10. Toppe and yet to be announced teammates are poised to be part of the action in the traditional six-race Cooper Tires Winterfest Championship, which takes place at NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, La., on February 21-22, and at Barber Motorsports Park on February 25-26. The 2014 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda season gets underway on March 29-30, with Rounds One and Two on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., in conjunction with the IndyCar Series season-opener.
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from RedLineOil.com.
Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ www.jdcmotorsport.com For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075.
Learn more about Clark Toppe via Twitter @ ClarkToppe and Facebook @ Clark Toppe Racing.
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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. Expanding into the Pro Mazda in 2005, the Minnesota-based team remained focused on not only challenging for top honors, but also helping develop young drivers. Over the years, JDC MotorSports has won numerous races and championships. JDC captured both the driver and team titles in the 2007 Star Mazda Championship, with Rookie of the Year Dane Cameron scoring a series-high three wins. The Minnesota-based team followed that up with a second Star Mazda Championship title with Rookie of the Year Adam Christodoulou, and the F2000 Championship Series title with Chris Miller in 2009. JDC continued its winning ways one year later, 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 with Mikhail Goikhberg. The junior formula car standout secured its third Star Mazda Championship title in 2011 with Tristan Vautier, in addition to scoring a win in the USF2000 National Championship with Luke Ellery, as well as making 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. Last season, JDC MotorSports once again secured podium finishes in both the Pro Mazda and USF2000 championships, and was victorious in Prototype Lites with Goikhberg.