F4 U.S Championship: Third meeting on the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course
23 - 26 June 2022 – More than 20 Ligier JS F4s arrived for the third round of the F4 U.S. Championship on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Bryson Morris (#39 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport), Lochie Hughes (#6 Jay Howard Driver Development) and Noah Ping (#65 Velocity Racing Development) each added a second victory to their laurels.
Friday 24th June - Noah Ping at the wheel of the #65 Velocity Racing Development Ligier JS F4 topped the time sheets in free practice setting the fastest lap of the 22 cars present in a time of 1m 28.074s. In the afternoon, Noah Castro in the #8 Ligier JS F4 run by Future Star Racing clinched his first pole position of the season thanks to his quickest lap in 1m 27.423s.
Bryson Morris scores his second victory in race 1
When race 1 started Bryson Morris in the #39 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F4 snatched the lead from Noah Castro in the first corner on the first lap. At the back of the field mayhem broke out when one of the cars spun. This led to the red flag being waved. When the restart was given with 20 minutes of the race still to go Morris made no mistake and went on to score his second victory of the season.
To read the full article on race 1, CLICK HERE.
Lochie Hughes wins race 2
Lochie Hughes the driver of the #6 Ligier JS F4 run by Jay Howard Driver Development started in sixth place on the grid and gained three places in the opening laps. The leading cars #8 driven by Alex Berg (Doran Kroll Competition) and #66 in the hands of Ryan Shehan (Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport) collided enabling him to take a lead he held to the finish.
“The first couple laps, everyone was really close, so whenever a gap opened up, I just put the car there,” said Hughes in Victory Lane. “We made our way up to third, and then the leaders were battling and we capitalized on that to go up to the lead. Then, it was just all about focusing; no mistakes and trying to pull a gap on Noah [Ping].”
To read the full article on race 2, CLICK HERE.
Noah Ping pockets victory in race 3
At the start of the third race battle was joined between Lochie Hughes in the #6 Ligier JS F4 on pole and #65 driven by Noah Ping (Velocity Racing Development). #6 spun in corner 4 losing out to #65, which took the lead for the first time. But Ping still had his work cut out to ensure victory. At half-distance Bryson Morris in #39 overtook him and dominated for seven laps. With just a couple of minutes to go to the chequered flag, Ping managed to get back in front and went on to score his second victory of the season.
“It was an up and down race—a bit crazy,” said Ping after climbing from the car. “I don't know what happened to Lochie [Hughes] at the start, but I think he lost it. We made a little bit of contact when he spun back on to the track, but luckily the car is okay. When Bryson got by me, I think I was a little bit in my head because of the contact. It actually ended up getting a little wet in the Keyhole when I got the pass, so he ended up out-braking himself in the wet. I waited for the car and then got back to power and was able to pass him on the inside.”
To read the full article on race 3, CLICK HERE.
The next round of the championship will be held in the New Jersey Motorsports Park on 29 - 31 July.
For more information on the Ligier JS F4, CLICK HERE.