F4 U.S. Championship: Carl Bennett and Jimmy Lockhart stand out from their rivals in the first round at Nola Park!

Around 30 Ligier JS F4s turned up for the opening round of the 2023 F4 U.S. Championship on 11 - 12 March at Nola Park. Two drivers stood out at the end of this first round: Carl Bennett (#9 Gonella Racing Ligier JS F4), who dominated the first race and Jimmy Lockhart (Velocity Racing Development #48 Ligier JS F4) winner of races 2 and 3.

• Lewis Hodgson in the Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport #30 Ligier JS F4 set the ball rolling by topping the time sheets in free practice 1 with a lap in 1:42.085s.

• In free practice 2, the #19 Ligier JS F4 driven by Michael Costello (Jay Howard Driver Development) emerged fastest in a time of 1:42.866s.

• Costello clinched pole position for race 1 in the #19 Ligier JS F4 as he was quickest in qualifying in 1:41.917s.

• The #9 Ligier JS F4 run by Gonella Racing won the first race giving Carl Bennett, starting his second season in the F4 U.S. Championship, his first victory. “This is my first win with formula cars, and that was just amazing. That was quite the battle that I had on the last lap. I'm still a little breathless right now. Just an amazing day,” said Bennett.

• Jimmy Lockhart scored victories in races 2 and 3 at the wheel of the #48 Ligier JS F4 entered by Velocity Racing Development: “Our first race this weekend was pretty unlucky, but to come back to get two wins today is pretty good,” said Lockhart from the podium. “In both races, we were able to just get out early and drive away with it. Great car; great race. It ran really well.”

The Ligier JS F4s will meet up again at Road America on 18 - 21 May for the second round of the F4 U.S. Championship.

 

For the complete article on race 1, CLICK HERE.

For the complete article on race 2, CLICK HERE.

For the complete article on race 3, CLICK HERE.

To find out more about the Ligier JS F4, CLICK HERE.