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| May 02, 2012 |
| Prototype Lites: JDC MotorSports Scores Inaugural Win at Miller |
 | JDC MotorSports' Mikhail Goikhberg captured the first Prototype Lites win for the team in Round Three at Miller Motorsports Park
(Photo: IMSA - Darren Pierson Photography) |
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (May 1, 2012) – JDC MotorSports reached another significant racing milestone this past weekend (April 28-29) at Miller Motorsports Park, winning its inaugural Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda race. Rookie star Mikhail Goikhberg secured the multiple junior formula champion its first sports racer victory with a superb drive in Round Three, before adding a runner-up finish in Round Four. With a second consecutive double podium effort, Goikhberg not only placed JDC MotorSports within striking distance of the team standings lead - two points back in second - but also moved into the driver championship lead.
After a superb start to the 2012 campaign back in March at Sebring International Raceway, finishing third in both races of the doubleheader, Goikhberg and the entire JDC MotorSports crew were looking forward to building on that success in Utah. The fast 3.048-mile Outer Course configuration in Utah immediately proved to Goikhberg's liking, with the Russian racer topping both test sessions.
While both Goikhberg and the JDC staff were more focused on car development rather than an outright fast lap, the former USF2000 Championship and Ontario Formula Ford Championship race winner continued to showcase his talents in the two practice runs. The No. 10 JDC MotorSports Elan DP02 car was second quickest in first session and quickest at the end of the day again, setting the stage for a potential pole-winning outing in qualifying.
As expected, given the results in the lead up sessions, the lone qualifying run for the Prototype Liters cars at Miller Motorsports Park proved to be a successful affair for JDC MotorSports. While Goikhberg came up short in his quest for the pole position, he was comfortably the second quickest car in the timed run, earning a front-row starting position for Round Three on Sunday morning.
When the cars rolled out on to the Utah road course for race one of the doubleheader, Goikhberg was focused on running a fast, yet clean laps in the ultimate pursuit of a first series win for both he and his Minnesota-based team. Initially it appeared that the skilled racer would have to settle for a second runner-up result, with the race leader building a sizeable advantage. That however changed on lap 13, when yellow flags waved around the Outer Course. Not only did this bunch the field back together, but the leader suddenly came to a stop on the front straight with an apparent mechanical issue. Goikhberg promptly took over the lead behind the safety car, scoring the win when the checkered flag waved two laps later under the full-course caution.
Goikhberg and the JDC MotorSports crew had little time to celebrate the milestone first Prototype Lites win, however, as only a few hours later the drivers were back behind the wheel for race two of the doubleheader. With fastest race laps from Round Three setting the grid, Goikhberg once gain got the green flag from P2 on the front-row. The JDC racer subsequently contested what was a rather uneventful affair, running alone in second place lap after lap. In the end, Goikhberg secured a fourth consecutive podium finish via second place, giving him four top-three finishes to start his Prototype Lites career. More importantly, when combined with his Round Three win, he is now the championship leader.
"My performance can still be improved, but we are very happy with results and the overall points lead," stated Goikhberg, who now resides in Canada. "The team gave me a very reliable car, and now we are concentrating on Laguna Seca."
JDC MotorSports next travels to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on May 11-12, where Goikhberg will attempt to add and another victory award to the squad's trophy case and build on his championship lead in Round Five and Six.
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from http://www.RedLineOil.com
Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ http://www.jdcmotorsports.com For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075
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 will contest the Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 Championship and Prototype Lites Championship in 2012. |
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