FR Americas: Kyffin Simpson crowned champion in Texas
November 4 - 6, 2021 - The Ligier JS F3s of the FR Americas Championship raced for the last time this season at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Jason Alder, in the #77 Ligier JS F3, won race 1 in his championship debut. By winning races 2 and 3, the driver of the #21 Ligier JS F3 Kyffin Simpson claimed the championship title.
On Thursday, November 4, the #9 Ligier JS F3 of Joshua Car (Crosslink Competition), second in the championship, topped the free practice session with his fastest lap of 2:04.523s at the Circuit of the Americas. He was trailed by championship leader Kyffin Simpson (#21, TJ Speed Motorsports) at 0.076s.
The next morning was the qualifying session. This time the roles were switched for both rivals: Kyffin Simpson was the fastest and secured pole position for the first race of the weekend. He set the fastest time of 2:04.244s, 0.031s ahead of Joshua Car. Behind them on the grid was Ernie Francis Jr (#98, Future Star Racing), third in the championship.
The start of race 1 was given at around 3pm. As Kyffin Simpson and Joshua Car made contact in the first corner, a newcomer took the opportunity to move up from fifth place and take the lead. That driver was Jason Alder, who finished third in this year's F4 U.S. Championship. In his #77 Velocity Racing Development Ligier JS F3, he won his first FR Americas race in his championship debut. “It's been an incredible effort from everybody at Velocity Racing Development. It's been a learning experience for me and we're just trying to get a head start on next year.” said Alder. First big change for him: the car's weight. “This is the most physically demanding race I've ever participated in. The FR car is a bit more physical than a Formula 4 car.”
The second race was the next morning. The #21 Ligier JS F3 started from pole position and temporarily lost the lead to the #98 Future Star Racing car. But on the fourth lap, Kyffin Simpson overtook Ernie Francis Jr. and was back in the lead until the chequered flag. “It was an awesome race”, explained the TJ Speed Motorsports driver. “We didn't have the greatest start, Ernie pulled away, but after the first lap, we had an amazing pace for the rest of the race and caught back up to him and drove away from everyone else. I was able to take it easy towards the end and save tires.”
The #21 Ligier JS F3 took its second win of the weekend in race 3. While Kyffin Simpson never lost the lead, he was under pressure from the #14 car driven by Dylan Tavella for Crosslink Competition. The rivals crossed the finish line 0.699s apart. “It was a tough race. Dylan was on me the entire time and I just couldn't pull a gap. Every time I tried, I just overheated the tires and would fall back even more. It was just such a good race and awesome to have that battle at the end.”, underlined Simpson.
With seven wins and seven podiums in second or third place, Kyffin Simpson won the FR Americas Championship hands down. “It's been great to learn everything that I have with FR Americas. It's been an incredible season, and it's awesome to come home with the championship.” The driver of the #9 Ligier JS F3, Joshua Car, finished runner-up and the #98 driver, Ernie Francis Jr, finished third.
For full results, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: Gavin Baker