Belardi Auto Racing is set for competition for the 2012 Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda. On Saturday, the team signed the 2011 USF2000 National Class champion, Luca Forgeois, and today they signed Roman Lagudi. Luca raced with Grand Am stalwarts Stevenson Motorsport and competed in the National Class in 2011 winning eight of the twelve rounds in his class. His best finish was in Race #2 on the Streets of Baltimore where he placed first in class and fifth overall in a 19-car field.
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“I am extremely pleased to have signed with Belardi Auto Racing. They are a team with one of the best operations in the series. Last year I noticed how if they weren’t in the lead, they were always challenging for it. For that reason I have no doubt that the team will provide me with everything I need to succeed in the 2012 season. To be part of such a professional and motivated team is an honor. The team won races in USF2000 and has been competitive in other steps of the ladder system, so there is no question that they know how to succeed. This is the type of team I want to affiliate myself with and hopefully grow with throughout my racing career. I am very confident that 2012 will be a great year for me and Belardi Auto Racing. I am really looking forward to the start of a great season.” — Luca Forgeois, Belardi Auto Racing
Roman competed in the Championship class in USF2000 during 2011 with JDC MotorSport beginning at the Night Before the 500 at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indianapolis. He would miss the following race at the Milwaukee Mile, but would make the remainder of the races. Although he got off to a rough start, routinely finishing near the back of the Championship class, he improved steadily through the season and ended at Baltimore on a high note. In Race #1, Roman would score his first top-5 finish in the series and follow that up in Race #2 with his first podium finish.
“I am very happy to be a part of a great team like Belardi Auto Racing. I’m really looking forward to working with all the guys on the team, and I already know I have a great group of people to help me succeed – from my engineer, to my driver coach, to our team owner. I hope to make them all proud this year.” — Roman Lagudi, Belardi Auto Racing
The motorsports gig has plenty enough uncertainty to it that anything that can be done to stabilize a situation at a team is always seen as a positive. Brian Belardi and his team have taken a big step toward a successful off-season with their USF2000 stable finalized so early. Now they can focus on preparing a challenge for the 2012 championship with two very talented young racers. The Winterfest should be an exciting time for the team and right now, Belardi is my pick as an early favourite.
