“2012 is turning into a busy year”, said Jorge during a break in what has already been a busy schedule, even before the first race of the season. “A couple of drivers have moved on and I look forward to seeing how their careers progress. The program I’ve been able to put together for this year is our most diverse yet; in terms of drivers and series.”
JJRD makes its first foray into the American Le Mans Series as the driver coach for Performance Tech Motorsports, which fields Cooper Tires Prototype Lites cars for long-time JJRD client Tristan Nunez and drivers Danny Mancini, Richie Hold and Daniel Goldburg, and Le Mans Prototype Challenge drivers Rafael Matos, Antony Nicolosi and Ricardo Vera. The 2012 American Le Mans Series Championship Presented by Tequila Patron and Cooper Tires Prototype Lites seasons get underway next weekend at the 60th Anniversary Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.
“I’ve worked with Tristan for a couple years now and I’m exciting by the potential he continues to show, both in and out of the car. ALMS is new ground for me, particularly when it comes to LMPC. It is easy to say that ‘racing is racing’, but when you run longer events like the 12 Hours and Petit Le Mans and add extra variables like pit stops and driver changes. It will be a learning experience for me as well as the drivers I will be coaching.”
Also getting underway next weekend at Sebring International Raceway is the 2012 Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda. Jorge will continue his work with R.C. Enerson, who will debut in the USF2000 National class with ZSports/Team E.
“Our number one goal for R.C. this season is driver development. He has made great strides since moving into cars a little over a year ago with Skip Barber. The USF2000 National class with ZSports is an excellent opportunity for him to continue that development in the next level up and to prepare him for 2013.”
JJRD’s involvement with Team E will extend into its Firestone Indy Lights program, where it will work with the team’s 2012 driver line up, which will be announced along with their racing schedule, in the coming weeks.
Not losing site of where they started, JJRD will continue in the Skip Barber Race Series, working with MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver Danilo Estrela for the remainder of the Winter Series and will work with him for the upcoming Summer Race Series. Estrela currently leads the Winter Series after eight of 11 Rounds.
Look for additional driver announcements in the coming weeks.
Article courtesy of Jim Altemus (Altemus Prime Communications)
