Getting to know J.F. Dumoulin: "I love racing the Grand Prix at GP3R"

J.F. Dumoulin (Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada)

How long have you been racing and what was the first race you competed in and what kind of car did you drive?

I have been racing for 23 years now. My first race was in 1994 in the Jim Russel Racing School in a Formula 2000 car. I was racing in a Formula 1600 with the Player’s Development Program later on. 

How long have you been competing in the NASCAR Pinty's Series?

My first race was in 2006 when it was still known as CASCAR instead of NASCAR, I also had the number 07.

What made you decide to compete in the NPS?

It is a competitive series, lots of competition here in Canada. I was racing a lot in the United States and I wanted to be able to race in Canada. I especially wanted to race in the Grand Prix Trois-Rivières (GP3R) when the series competes there each year.

What makes being a part of the NPS special to you?

It is the greatest racing series in Canada right now. I love the competition, the people around it and everybody works hard to make it the best program that they can. Pinty's (Delicious Foods) coming on board as a sponsor was a key factor in allowing the series to be of such high caliber.

How have your fans responded to you being a part of NASCAR in Canada?

The fans love it and they just support me in everything, which I am very grateful for. Being from Trois-Rivières, the GP3R race is a nice event and it is always a pleasure to see everybody supporting me in my hometown. I love being a part of this series and the fans really support me competing in every race.

What or where is your favorite track on the schedule?

As mentioned before, the Grand Prix Trois-Rivières is my hometown course so I have a bias for this track, but also because it is very challenging between the walls and there is the biggest fan repertory in the series. 

Do you have any hobbies outside of racing?

I really enjoy riding motorcycles and of course, spend time with my family and beloved ones. 

If you weren't a race car driver, what do you think you would do instead of racing for a career?

This is a very good question…I would be in the automobile industry for sure, but I can’t imagine myself doing something else. I also serve as a driving coach for other drivers and this is probably what I would still do.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and/or racing career?

It would be Gilles Villeneuve and Ayrton Senna for their competitiveness and the desire to always surpass themselves. Also my parents, they always knew how to reconcile work and family in conditions that weren’t always the easiest. They just have never let go. Richard Spénard has also been an important part of my career from the beginning as he was my coach and became my co-driver.

Tell me something about you that would surprise your fans?

When I was a kid, my mom made me took folkloric dancing classes. You can all guess that it did not turn very well.