 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Barber MotorsportsPark April 3, 2012 Straight from the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, TrueCar Racing driver Ashley Freiberg (pronounced FRY-BURG) drove north to Barber Motorsports Parkin Leeds, Alabama for the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear Rounds 3 and 4 held during the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Coming off a successful top ten finish in her first race of the season, Freiberg had to keep her expectations in check coming into the weekend at Barber, as the track is known for its technicality and high speed corners. “I realize that I am behind the rest of the field experience-wise in that most of the drivers I race against have at least two to three years of driving with wings and slicks,” said Freiberg, who finished ninth out of 21 drivers in St. Pete last weekend. “Every time I go out on track I continue to learn and develop my skills. That is really what I have been focusing on rather than just trying hard for results.” Freiberg was pleased with her progress at the beginning of the weekend, as her lap times were as close to the front runners as they had ever been. “JDC MotorSports and I have been working really hard to get myself and the car to ‘talk’ to each other,” said the 20-year old from Vermont,“and I was really happy to see that we were heading in the right direction.” Due to storms on Friday, qualifying turned into a twenty minute session in the rain in which Freiberg’s transponder did not work for most of the session, meaning most of her lap times did not count, putting her 14th out of 20 for the race on Sunday. “Qualifying at this track is so important for the race,” said the two-time Skip Barber Champion.“Because it is so fast and so technical, there is really only one corner on the track to pass in. Starting 14th only made me realize that I had a lot of work to do to gain positions!” Luckily the weather on Sunday was sunny and hot, but that also meant Freiberg had to modify her strategy for the race. “This track is very hard on tires and even more so when it gets hot. My plan was to just be as good as I could to the tires, and hope that people in front of me would wear theirs off before I did!” Her strategy worked, as she ended up advancing three positions to finish 11thin race one, and made up two positions in race two finishing 12th. “I definitely learned a lot this weekend and have made some good improvements driving-wise. Of course I would have loved to finish inside the top 10, but I also know that I just need to keep gaining more experience and keep working hard to find time. This field is extremely competitive, and it only pushes me even harder to be the best I can be.” Round 5 of the Star Mazda Series will be held on May 26 in Freiberg’s first oval race at Lucas Oil Raceway for the “Night Before the 500” in Indianapolis, IN. “I am excited to drive my TrueCar Star Mazda on an oval. Talk about ‘learning experience’…this will definitely be new territory for me!” To follow the action live go to www.starmazda.com/timing/ for live timing and scoring. You can also find on-track schedules for the events. Follow Ashley: www.AshleyRacing.com Twitter Name @AshleyFreiberg Facebook Fan Page “Ashley Freiberg Racing” About TrueCar, Inc. TrueCar, Inc. is an online automotive information and communications platform focused on creating a better car buying experience for dealers and consumers. Consumers want a hassle-free car buying experience and dealers want high-quality sales velocity. TrueCar helps achieve these goals by providing unbiased market information on new car transactions and by supplying an online communications platform through which dealers and consumers can communicate with each other. TrueCar’s market-based information provides both consumers and dealers with an accurate and comprehensive understanding of what others actually paid recently for similar vehicles, both locally and nationally. TrueCar’s communications platform then allows informed, ready-to-buy consumers to communicate directly with participating dealers. Some of the nation’s largest and most well respected membership and service organizations rely on websites powered by TrueCar to help educate their members and customers who are in the automotive market. TrueCar is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, and has offices in San Francisco, CA, and Austin, TX. After experiencing dramatic growth since 2006,TrueCar is developing a suite of products and services centered on radical clarity through the comprehensive analysis of market data and information. TrueCar’s participating dealer partners have sold over 500,000 new vehicles to TrueCar users nationwide. You can follow TrueCar on Twitter(@TrueCar) and become a fan of TrueCar on Facebook and Google+. About JDC MotorSports: Involved in formula car racing since its inception in 1994, JDC MotorSports has established itself as one of the leading junior open-wheel teams in North America. Initially making its mark in the F2000 class of club racing competition, JDC MotorSports was soon a team worth watching in the pro ranks. Competing in the Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Championship, the team not only won races, but also helped develop multiple young drivers. In 2005, JDC MotorSports expanded its efforts, entering the Star Mazda Championship. Quickly becoming one of the top teams in the series, JDC captured both the driver and team titles in 2007, as well as Rookie of the Year honors, with Dane Cameron scoring a series-high three wins. In 2008, JDC MotorSports was the runner-up in the Star Mazda Championship and finished fourth in its inaugural season of F2000 Championship Series competition. The Minnesota-based team won the Star Mazda Championship title with Rookie of the Year Adam Christodoulou, and the F2000 Championship Series title with Chris Miller in 2009. This past year, JDC continued its winning ways, earning the Rookie of the Year award in the StarMazda Championship with Connor De Phillippi, and scoring a non-points win in the USF2000 National Championship. The Minneapolis-based squad won a third Star Mazda Championship with Tristan Vautier in 2011, in addition to being victorious in the USF2000 National Championship and earning multiple podium finishes in its Prototype Lites Championship debut campaign. JDC MotorSports will once again contest full seasons in the Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 National Championship and Prototype Lites Championship in 2012. Add Comment  Grand Prix of St. Petersburg March 25, 2012 Last weekend, Ashley Freiberg (pronounced FRY-BURG) driver of the #91 TrueCar Star Mazda competed in her first race of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear season at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with team JDC Motorsports. “This was actually my first time ever on a street course, and I absolutely loved it,” said Ashley. “The facility was awesome, and I can’t wait to come back!” Ashley drove in her last race over a year ago, where she was the first woman to win two Skip Barber Championships and the first woman to win a Barber National race at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2010. “Being out of a car for a year, and coming from Skip Barber, I have had some adjusting and learning to do getting used to driving a car with more horsepower, slicks, and down force,” said the five time karting champion. “With the support from my team and my driver coach, Mike Zimicki, I have definitely learned more the past few times I have been driving my TrueCar Star Mazda car than I have in a long time.” Ashley qualified just outside the top 10 in 12th place on Friday, and in the race on Saturday passed three cars to finish 9thout of 21 cars. “I think one of my strengths is that I am consistent, and during the race I just focused on getting a good start and making the least amount of mistakes possible,” said Ashley, who was nominated as a candidate for the prestigious Team USA Scholarship. “I definitely have a lot to learn with this car, and I expect to be working really hard this year to keep improving my times.” Unfortunately, her second race on Sunday ended quickly when she was taken out from behind going into turn 10. “Right now I am focusing on the next race at Barber MotorsportsPark. The track has a lot to do with trusting down force, so I will definitely have a steep learning curve over the weekend!” The Star Mazda Championship Rounds 3 and 4 will be held at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park this Friday and Sunday. To follow the action live go to the Star Mazda website “Live Timing and Scoring” where you will also find on track schedules and live timing of each session. Follow Ashley: www.AshleyRacing.com Twitter Name @AshleyFreiberg Facebook Fan Page “Ashley Freiberg Racing” About TrueCar,Inc. TrueCar, Inc. is an online automotive information and communications platform focused on creating a better car buying experience for dealers and consumers. Consumers want a hassle-free car buying experience and dealers want high-quality sales velocity. TrueCar helps achieve these goals by providing unbiased market information on new car transactions and by supplying an online communications platform through which dealers and consumers can communicate with each other. TrueCar’s market-based information provides both consumers and dealers with an accurate and comprehensive understanding of what others actually paid recently for similar vehicles, both locally and nationally. TrueCar’s communications platform then allows informed, ready-to-buy consumers to communicate directly with participating dealers. Some of the nation’s largest and mostwell respected membership and service organizations rely on websites powered by TrueCar to help educate their members and customers who are in the automotive market. TrueCar is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, and has offices in San Francisco, CA, and Austin, TX. After experiencing dramatic growth since 2006,TrueCar is developing a suite of products and services centered on radical clarity through the comprehensive analysis of market data and information. TrueCar’s participating dealer partners have sold over 500,000 new vehicles to TrueCar users nationwide. You can follow TrueCar on Twitter(@TrueCar) and become a fan of TrueCar on Facebook and Google+. About JDC MotorSports: Involved in formula car racing since its inception in 1994, JDC MotorSports has established itself as one of the leading junior open-wheel teams in North America. Initially making its mark in the F2000 class of club racing competition, JDC MotorSports was soon a team worth watching in the pro ranks. Competing in the Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Championship, the team not only won races, but also helped develop multiple young drivers. In 2005, JDC MotorSports expanded its efforts, entering the Star Mazda Championship. Quickly becoming one of the top teams in the series, JDC captured both the driver and team titles in 2007, as well as Rookie of the Year honors, with Dane Cameron scoring a series-high three wins. In 2008, JDC MotorSports was the runner-up in the Star Mazda Championship and finished fourth in its inaugural season of F2000 Championship Series competition. The Minnesota-based team won the Star Mazda Championship title with Rookie of the Year Adam Christodoulou, and the F2000 Championship Series title with Chris Miller in 2009. This past year, JDC continued its winning ways, earning the Rookie of the Year award in the Star Mazda Championship with Connor De Phillippi, and scoring a non-points win in the USF2000 National Championship. The Minneapolis-based squad won a third Star Mazda Championship with Tristan Vautier in 2011, in addition to being victorious in the USF2000 National Championship and earning multiple podium finishes in its Prototype Lites Championship debut campaign. JDC MotorSports will once again contest full seasons in the Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 National Championship and Prototype Lites Championship in 2012.  Illinois racer joins forces with defending champion as part of TrueCar 'Women Empowered Initiative’ MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (February 6, 2011) – JDC MotorSports is very pleased to add American Ashley Freiberg to its driver line-up for the 2012 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear season. Seeking to repeat as series champion, the Minnesota-based squad will have the talented rookie behind the wheel in the Mazda Road to Indy series via the newly created TrueCar, Inc. 'Women Empowered Initiative’. In addition to always striving to win championships, JDC MotorSports has continually been focused on finding and developing talent behind the wheel. That continues in 2012, with the addition of Ashley to its Star Mazda Championship roster. Thanks in large part to a new driver advancement program by TrueCar entitled 'Woman Empowered', Ashley will join forces with the defending and three-time Star Mazda champion JDC MotorSports. The former Skip Barber Racing champion, who has four Star Mazda races on her resume, including a top-five finish in 2010 at the Autobahn Country Club, will contest the entire upcoming 18-race campaign, partnering fellow up-and-comer Juan Piedrahita under the JDC awning. "We are really excited about working with Ashley during the 2012 season," stated JDC MotorSports team principal John Church. “The opportunity to work with Ashley and TrueCar is a real honor, and we look forward to a great season." "It's hard to express how excited I am for this opportunity that TrueCar has given me," stated Ashley. "I have an awesome team around me, with TrueCar, JDC, Burke Harrison, and Mike Zimicki. I am thrilled for the chance to work and learn with all of them this season. The only way to describe all of this coming together is like a 'dream come true'. Let's go racing!" The 2012 season is just the latest step on Ashley's on-going quest to reach the top echelon of motorsports. The Illinois native, who currently resides in Vermont, first made her mark in the karting ranks, winning multiple races and championships. In 2007, Ashley made the transition to car competition, immediately showcasing speed and skill in Skip Barber Racing action. She continued her progression behind the wheel via greater and greater success in Skip Barber competition. Ashley made history in 2010, becoming the first female to win both a Skip Barber National race and championships, capturing two Barber Series titles via a 25-win season. Thanks to this success, Ashley was selected as one of six female racers in 2011 for the inaugural TrueCar 'Women Empowered Initiative’. This program is a multi-year commitment to support rising female racers in several series. TrueCar.com is the best way to begin the car buying process, because its certified dealers provide a hassle-free car buying experience, and the website makes you a pricing expert by telling what other people are paying for the car you want to buy. JDC MotorSports will commence its chase for another Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear title on March 24-25, when the opening two rounds take place on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series. Prior to the season-opening doubleheader, Ashley and her teammate will take part in private testing, and be part of the annual Star Mazda Championship Spring Training event at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama on March 19-20. JDC MotorSports is continuing to evaluate additional drivers for the upcoming race season, with interested drivers urged to contact the squad. JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from www.RedLineOil.com Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ www.jdcmotorsports.com For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075 More information on Ashley Freiberg @ www.AshleyRacing.com For more information on TrueCar visit their website @ www.TrueCar.com ### About JDC MotorSports: Involved in formula car racing since its inception in 1994, JDC MotorSports has established itself as one of the leading junior open-wheel teams in North America. Initially making its mark in the F2000 class of club racing competition, JDC MotorSports was soon a team worth watching in the pro ranks. Competing in the Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Championship, the team not only won races, but also helped develop multiple young drivers. In 2005, JDC MotorSports expanded its efforts, entering the Star Mazda Championship. Quickly becoming one of the top teams in the series, JDC captured both the driver and team titles in 2007, as well as Rookie of the Year honors, with Dane Cameron scoring a series-high three wins. In 2008, JDC MotorSports was the runner-up in the Star Mazda Championship and finished fourth in its inaugural season of F2000 Championship Series competition. The Minnesota-based team won the Star Mazda Championship title with Rookie of the Year Adam Christodoulou, and the F2000 Championship Series title with Chris Miller in 2009. This past year, JDC continued its winning ways, earning the Rookie of the Year award in the Star Mazda Championship with Connor De Phillippi, and scoring a non-points win in the USF2000 National Championship. The Minneapolis-based squad won a third Star Mazda Championship with Tristan Vautier in 2011, in addition to being victorious in the USF2000 National Championship and earning multiple podium finishes in its Prototype Lites Championship debut campaign. JDC MotorSports will once again contest full seasons in the Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 National Championship and Prototype Lites Championship in 2012. About TrueCar, Inc.: TrueCar, Inc. is an automotive solutions provider focused on changing how cars are sold by providing a significantly better customer experience, while helping qualified dealer partners gain incremental market share and reduce costs. TrueCar is a visual publisher of new car transaction data. TrueCar price reports help both dealers and consumers agree on the parameters of a fair deal by providing an accurate, comprehensive and simple understanding of what others actually paid recently for an identically-equipped vehicle both locally and nationally. TrueCar works with a national network of dealers that provides a no-hassle car buying experience, and in many cases a highly competitive upfront price, to assist some of the nation's largest and most well-respected membership and service organizations to meet the auto research and buying needs of their members and customers. TrueCar is headquartered in Santa Monica, CAlif., and has offices in San Francisco, Calif., and Austin, Texas. With 131 percent annual growth since 2006, TrueCar has connected hundreds of thousands of consumers with dealers nationwide, resulting in the sale of over 400,000 vehicles, and is developing a suite of products and services centered on radical clarity through the comprehensive analysis of market data and information. You can follow TrueCar on Twitter at www.twitter.com/truecar and become a fan of TrueCar on Facebook at www.facebook.com/truecar  Company makes multi-year commitment to support women in auto racing through primary sponsorship of top professionals and rising stars Santa Monica, CA – December 01, 2011 -- TrueCar, Inc., creators of the intelligent automotive marketplace that benefits both buyers and sellers has announced an extensive, multi-year commitment to support top female race car drivers in premier racing series, along with young rising stars across several developmental racing series. The TrueCar Racing "Women Empowered" initiative is an extension of the company’s efforts to help women enjoy the best possible car buying experience. With over 80% of car buying decisions influenced by women – and 50% of all car purchases made by women – this impactful audience is a significant part of the automotive retail landscape. "TrueCar is built upon the foundation of empowering individuals with the tools and resources they need to become expert car buyers," said TrueCar Founder and CEO Scott Painter. "The "Women Empowered" initiative is an exciting extension of that philosophy – empowering women in racing by giving talented female drivers everything they need to dominate their sport." The inaugural members to the 2012 TrueCar Racing Team include: Shea Holbrook - Pirelli World Challenge Series (www.shearacing.com) Ashley Freiberg – Star Mazda Series (www.ashleyracing.com) Shannon McIntosh – USF2000 Series (www.shannonmcintosh.com) Verena Mei – Rally America (www.stargirlracing.com) Emilee Tominovich – Pro SCCA Playboy MX-5 Cup Series The company is also in the process of finalizing its sponsorship of a driver to compete in the prestigious IndyCar Series, as well as a Baja 1000 team for 2012, which will be made up entirely of women drivers vying for a class championship. Additionally, TrueCar will launch a new young driver development program that will introduce thousands of young women to auto racing at the karting level, and then providing support to top championship prospects as they progress through their racing careers from karting all the way up to premier racing series like IndyCar, the American Le Mans Series, Grand Am, and even Global RallyCross and the X-Games. The strength of the program is enhanced by the involvement of Michael Zimicki – widely regarded as one of the top driving coaches in the industry. Zimicki, who has coached Danica Patrick, Pippa Mann, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Graham Rahal will be a key consultant on the TrueCar initiative. He will be joined in the program by Marc Miller, a top driver in his own right and renowned driving coach, along with rally expert Tim O’Neil, and other top coaches and advisors throughout the season. "Despite their considerable talents, women have yet to achieve the sponsorship opportunities, recognition, and championship successes that we believe is their due in the only sport where men and women compete head-to-head," said Charles Kim, Director of Motorsports for TrueCar. "This exciting initiative will change that - placing top women drivers on the world’s stage, and providing professional guidance, primary sponsorship support, and exciting new marketing and media opportunities to these talented drivers working their way up to the highest levels of racing. Our mission is simple: to empower these talented drivers and help them become future racing champions." Members of the TrueCar Racing Team are equally excited about the initiative. Said Shannon McIntosh, "I’m truly honored to be a part of the TrueCar Racing initiative. Coming from a very modest background with many years of struggle, I’m humbled at this opportunity. Thank you to Scott Painter, Charles Kim, and the entire TrueCar family for believing in me and giving me this platform to empower others to live by NinTai." Michael Zimicki adds, "The program that TrueCar has announced today is the most comprehensive support of American racing ever done, be it open-wheel, sports car, rally, or off-road. And the real kicker is that it is in support of women. This is a revolution." About TrueCar TrueCar, Inc. has changed how cars are sold by providing a significantly better customer experience -- helping qualified dealer partners gain incremental market share and reduce costs. As a transparent, visual publisher of new car transaction data, TrueCar.com price reports help both dealers and consumers agree on the parameters of a fair deal by providing an accurate, comprehensive and simple understanding of what others actually paid for the identically equipped new car over the last 30 days both locally and nationally. TrueCar, Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA and has offices in San Francisco and Austin. The company was founded in 2005 and has been profitable since 2009. With 131% annual growth since 2006, TrueCar has driven over 400,000 sales and is developing a suite of transaction oriented products and services centered on transparency and radical clarity as a result of comprehensively analyzing market data and information. You can follow TrueCar on Twitter and become a fan of TrueCar on Facebook. | Ashley
PostsApril 2012      |