2014 Mazda MX-5 Cup Champion advances to IMSA Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda via the Mazda SportsCar Racing Academy.
JDC MotorSports has announced that it has signed 2014 Mazda MX-5 Cup Champion Kenton Koch to drive for the team in the 2015 Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda championship.
The 2014 Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich® Tires champion continues to move up the racing ladder via Mazda scholarships; this will be his second season as a Mazda Motorsports Development Driver. He will join Clark Toppe, Matt McMurry and Gerry Kraut in a four-car JDC MotorSports line up. The team captured the 2014 Driver’s and Team Championship with Mikhail Goikhberg (driver champ), Matt McMurry and Gerry Kraut behind the wheels.
“I’m extremely pleased to join JDC Motorsports this year,” said Koch. “I know for fact this is the team to be with. Testing has been going really well and I’m feeling confident with the car already. The jump from sports cars to the Elan DP-02 Prototype Lites car wasn’t as difficult as I made it out to be. I am still learning obviously, but I think when Sebring comes round I’ll have the pace.
“I’m really looking forward to representing Mazda for the second time as a Mazda SportsCar Academy driver. I’m so grateful for the support they have in this sport and without them I wouldn’t be where I am now,” continued Kenton.
The 20-year-old from Glendora, Calif., has a current winning percentage over the past three years of 82 percent and won the 2014 Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship in style by taking home six wins, four podiums, and nine poles in 2014, earning him not only the title but also providing him with a scholarship to run in a Mazda-powered car of his choice in 2015.
“Obviously we have followed Kenton’s success in the past and we are very excited to have him drive for us in 2015,” said JDC Motorsports Principal John Church. “I think he will fit in perfectly with Matt, Clark and Gerry this year and for sure will add to our already strong driver lineup.
“Kenton has shown that he can win races and championships and I have no doubt that he will make a fast transition into the IMSA Lites car and be a frontrunner and candidate for the championship.”
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from RedLineOil.com, HR Sportswear and Showdown Displays. See www.jdcmotorsports.com for more on the team.