After wrapping up a successful season in the Pro F2000 Championship series, Venezuelan pilot Robert La Rocca continues to impress in the open wheel ranks.  Taking in the Formula Car Challenge this past weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, La Rocca jumped into the seat of a Pro Mazda car with Dallas, Texas-based Team GDT. 

His first true weekend in the Star Mazda car, after having been in the car only once before, La Rocca was set for some stiff competition as Pro Series frontrunners were entered in the late fall event.  Battling all sorts of race conditions, La Rocca would hit the track in the wet for his first practice session and be the fastest driver on the track.  In the slick session, and the only driver to go out on slick tires while all others were on rains, La Rocca would post the second quickest lap. Improving rapidly, La Rocca would then go second fast in qualifying, off pole by less than half a tenth.   Keeping his position during the 14-lap main event to earn a podium finish in his first Star Mazda race, just ahead of a fellow Venezuelan driver.

In the second race, La Rocca would again post the second quickest time in qualifying, a tenth off the pole time.  An unfortunate crash in the final would remove La Rocca from contention, as the championship leader would end the Venezuelan's day while running P2.

"A big thanks goes out to Team GDT for running me in Infineon this weekend," expressed La Rocca.  "We had a great showing despite being taken out in the second race.  I had a great time running the Star Mazda car, and now my focus to finalize my 2012 plans."