JDX Racing Endures Tough Weekend In Montreal

Loveland, CO (June 13, 2016) – JDX / Hertz Racing and driver Ricardo Perez missed the podium this past weekend in Montreal while competing at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, failing to finish for the first time of the season in race one and finishing sixth in race two.

JDX Racing arrived at the historic Formula 1 race circuit in Montreal, Canada for their only scheduled race weekend north of the border. The team was riding the momentum of three straight podium finishes and looking to continue the pursuit of the championship points leader. The weekend started off with some challenges, which seemed to translate into rounds five and six. The team managed to collect some points, but is certainly looking to put this weekend behind them.

The race weekend included the traditional Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama two race format. Ricardo qualified the black and gold liveried No.02 JDX Racing / Hertz Porsche fourth in the field of 36 Porsche Cup cars for the first race of the weekend. The race started well as Ricardo made a clean pass following the first few turns on lap one to move into third position. Perez was patient as he raced around the 2.71 mile track following the No.88 car driven by Canadian Marco Cirone. Ricardo pounced just at the right moment and made a brilliant pass in turn 13, the entry point of the famous “wall of champions” corner. Unfortunately just a few turns later, that same No.88 car crashed into Ricardo as he turned his JDX Racing / Hertz Porsche into the apex of turn four. The incident created a full course caution and resulted in the first DNF of the young season for the JDX Racing Hertz / Porsche.

Race two rolled off Sunday morning in very cool and cloudy conditions, and RPL started the JDX Racing Hertz / Porsche in the fifth position. The 25-minute race started under yellow as the field of 35 Porsche GT3 cup cars followed the safety car for the first four laps of the contest due to a persistent light mist which made the track very slick. Once the safety car lights went out and the field roared towards turn one, the fight was on. Unfortunately the No.02 JDX Hertz / Porsche was unable to keep pace with the leaders and had to settle for a sixth place finish.

Ricardo Perez said, “This was a disappointing weekend for sure. We had the pace on Saturday and I was running a good race. I respected No.88 for four solid laps before I made my move. I’m not too sure what he was thinking, but he went in too deep into four, lost control of his car and took us out. The guys gave me a podium car, so it’s a shame the car got damaged and I wasn't able to finish the race. I’m looking forward - Watkins Glen is coming up in a few weeks and I’m even more determined to put the Hertz car back at the front”.

“Ricardo continues to work hard at getting everything out of the car. The team gave him a quick Porsche this weekend, he drove a smart race and was very patient as he worked his way forward. It’s unfortunate he was taken out just a few turns later, he had pace on the leaders and would have been able to make it a good race to the checkered. We’ll take the next few weeks to regroup as we head to The Glen for rounds seven and eight, the midway point of the season”, said Jeremy Dale, team co-owner.

The green flag for rounds seven and eight of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama are scheduled for June 30-July 2 at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. Both races are timed, 45-minute events that support the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen race on Sunday, July 3. Live timing and scoring will be available on IMSA.com.

Stay tuned to jdxracing.com, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/jdxracing and on Twitter @jdxracing for more news, announcements and imagery from the 2016 race campaign. Over the air television coverage is available on the Sinclair Broadcast Group family of stations, available in over 80 markets across the United States and represented by 154 stations. In addition races may be viewed live online and are archived at isma.tv.