COLDWATER, ON- With Barrie Speedway’s May 10th opener fast approaching, 15-year old rookie Jordan Latimer is making his final preparations for his debut with the lauded Ridge Road Racing team.
The Karting graduate has been working hand-in-hand with team boss Gord Shepherd, as the defending Limited Late Model champion readies Latimer for a run at the 2014 Thunder Car Rookie of the Year.
“This whole team has been so welcoming, it’s amazing”, shares Latimer during a recent testing session. “They’ve welcomed my whole family with open arms, there hasn’t been a moment this off-season in which I haven’t felt like a part of this team. The Ridge Road Racing crew make it seem as though we’ve been racing together for years”
Latimer, the grandson of late Barrie Speedway legend Gary Reynolds, will make his 2014 debut with less than a handful of Stock Car appearances under his belt. The third-generation competitor hopes Shepherd’s coaching will help bridge the experience gap, as he adds his name to a Thunder Car roster packed with veteran talent.
“I think Gord and I have run through the first night of racing in our heads about a thousand times”, Latimer explains, laughing. “Trying to run through different scenarios. He’s an amazing teacher. I know I don’t have a lot of hands-on experience, but the more I speak with Gord, the more confident I am about our chances on opening night”
The team recently took to Barrie Speedway for their first testing session of the young season, with Latimer impressing with his fluidity and smoothness behind the wheel.
“We were happy with our testing session”, says Latimer. “The guys had me on the watch laying down times that would put me right at the front on race night, which is very encouraging. It’s always a little uncomfortable when you start out in a brand new car, but within a few laps it felt like natural. I’m comfortable with my car and my team, opening night can’t come soon enough”
Jordan’s 2014 efforts will carry support from KICX 106 FM, The DOCK 104.1, A/C Electric, Creetures Designs of Orillia, T&C Construction & Welding, Progressive Waste Solutions, Cookstown Auto Parts, Tax$mart of Orillia, Get Jack @ Re/MAX, Krueger Electric, Kitchen Tire and Shepherd Trucking.
Be sure to check out the JL Motorsports page on Facebook, and follow Jordan on Twitter @LatimerJordan.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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