FR Americas: Jordan Missig and Ernie Francis Jr. win in their Ligier JS F3
September 24 - 26, 2021 - Fifth and penultimate round of the FR Americas Championship at the VIRginia International Raceway. Jordan Missig, driver of the #48 Newman Wachs Racing Ligier JS F3, won his first race of the season, while Ernie Francis Jr. added two more victories to his record in the #98 Future Star Racing car.
It is the end of the summer holidays for the Ligier JS F3s of the FR Americas Championship. The grid returned to the VIRginia International Raceway on September 24 for its penultimate round before the grand finale at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
Friday's free practice session was dominated by Ryan Yardley (#78, Crosslink / Kiwi Motorsport), who set the fastest lap in 1:46.709s.
In the afternoon, Joshua Car (#9, Crosslink Competition) clinched his third consecutive pole position with his lap of 1:44.273s. The top spot on the grid was won after a close battle with Jordan Missig (#48, Newman Wachs Racing), who qualified second, and rookie Ryan Yardley, who was third.
During the first race of the weekend on Saturday morning, Joshua Car was unable to turn his pole position into a win. It was finally Jordan Missig who crossed the finishing line first. With a lead of more than five seconds over his rival Dylan Tavella (#14, Crosslink Competiton), he won his first gold medal of the season.
Race 2, in the afternoon, was marked by the victory of Ernie Francis Jr. (#98, Future Star Racing). The driver made a great comeback from eighth to first place. The next day, he kept his good pace and finished first in the third race of the weekend. He has now three wins under his belt.
After finishing fourth, fifth and second, championship leader Kyffin Simpson (#21, TJ Speed Motorsports) remains in the lead with 264 points, well ahead of Joshua Car (199 points) and Ernie Francis Jr (133 points). Front runner in the drivers' championship, he will have to wait until the final round to celebrate his victory.
The final round of the 2021 FR Americas season will take place on November 5-7 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
For full results, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: Gavin Baker