Vautier joins JDC Motorsports for full Star Mazda season
The talented French racer will join the Minnesota-based team for the entire Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear season, seeking to build on a race-winning rookie run last season.
"We are very happy to have concluded a deal with Tristan for the 2011 season," commented JDC MotorSports Team Principal John Church. "We feel that Tristan has the ability to run up-front and put our team back up in a championship position for 2011."
JDC MotorSports has a history of helping gifted young racers win series titles – having won the Star Mazda Championship in both 2007 and 2009 – and it looks to continue that trend this season with the addition of Vautier.
A second-year series driver, the French standout joins the squad with only one goal in mind – capturing the series title and a scholarship to compete in Firestone Indy Lights, the next rung on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder.
Vautier, who will pilot a JDC entry with support from Circuit du Laquais, Cecibon, Moulin TP, Club des Partenaires, scored two wins and was a championship contender for the majority of his first year of North American competition, many believe the pairing with JDC MotorSports has the makings of a potential title-winning campaign.
"I'm honored and proud to represent JDC MotorpSorts this year," Vautier said. "These guys know how to win championships and I am really looking forward to working with everyone in the team. The new Mazda Road to Indy program makes the Star Mazda Championship even more exciting! I'd like to thank John Church, the Star Mazda Championship partners, ABK Sports Management, and all of my sponsors and family who made this happen. They can be sure I'll do my best to bring their colors to the top of the podium."
The 21 year-old Vautier joins JDC having not only impressed in his Star Mazda rookie season, but with a strong European racing resume. Showing talent behind the wheel right from the get go, Vautier scored six wins in his car racing debut in 2006, finishing as the Formula Renault Campus runner-up. The French racer continued to display good speed and skill behind the wheel over the course of the next years, racing in a variety of Formula Renault series. In 2009, Vautier returned to the forefront of junior formula car competition, winning six times in the Formula Palmer Audi series.