HSR: One Motorsports wins at Sebring with the #37 Ligier JS P3.

First race of the new HSR and IMSA LMP3 series in the United States at Sebring on 9 March 2024. One Motorsports won the inaugural two-hour race of the HSR Prototype Challenge with the #37 Ligier JS P3. Wolf Motorsports finished second in the #25 Ligier JS P320 ahead of Hudson Historics in the #47 Ligier JS P320.

- Launch of HSR and IMSA's new series, the HSR Prototype Challenge, on the highly demanding Sebring circuit with five LMP3 Ligiers, including two Ligier JS P3s, the manufacturer's first-generation LMP3s.

- The #25 Wolf Motorsports Ligier JS P320 was fastest in the first free practice session with James French at the wheel (1:59.052). In session 2, it was the #47 Ligier JS P320 which set the fastest time with Bob Neapole (1:59.287).

- Wolf Motorsports secured the first pole position of the series with a best time of 1:57.947.

- The inaugural two-hour race got underway at the end of the day on 9 March. Jon Field took control of the race from the start, leading throughout his stint in the seat of the #37 James French and co-driver Alex Koreiba in the #25 Wolf Motorsports Ligier JS P320 finished second ahead of the #74 Hudson Historics Ligier JS P320 (John Reisnan / Eric Curran).

- One Motorsports Ligier JS P3. Second driver Kenton Koch took control of the #37 for the final 75 minutes of the race.

- One Motorsports then opted for a daring race and refuelling strategy (each team had to make three compulsory pit stops). The team decided to make two stops in quick succession on laps 20 and 22. Although this meant that One Motorsports fell 30 seconds behind the new leader, the #25 Wolf Motorsports (James French / Alex Koreiba), when the competitors made their last pit stop 15 minutes from the chequered flag, One Motorsports found itself in the wheels of the #25 Wolf Motorsports Ligier JS P320.

- The #37 One Motorsports car with Kenton Koch made the winning pass on the penultimate lap. James French did not give in and kept up the pressure with his #25 Ligier. However, he was unable to regain the lead.

- The Jon Field / Kenton Koch team gave One Motorsports (#37 Ligier JS P3) its first win of the new championship.  “It's a good concept, explained Kenton Koch. We have all of these P3 cars lying around, and we should be doing something with them. So why not bring them here and race against some good guys. […]  It was a good battle we had going with James [French]. He got off the corners really good. We were better in the second half of the straightaway, and he was better in the first half. The only way I was able to get by him was to get into his mirrors a little bit.”

- James French and co-driver Alex Koreiba in the #25 Wolf Motorsports Ligier JS P320 finished second ahead of the #74 Hudson Historics Ligier JS P320 (John Reisnan / Eric Curran). « To actually have the chance to put everything together and have a good series like this to showcase these P3s and how reliable, quick and fun they are to drive is a great experience, commented James French. It was a great event. I have been racing with Kenton for a long time. It's awesome to have a good battle with him. […] We came up just a bit short, but we will try again next time.”

- The #22 TWOth Autosport Ligier JS P3 (Tobias Lutke / Travis Hill) won the Prototype Challenge AM standings.

The next meeting of the HSR Prototype Challenge will take place at Michelin Raceway Atlanta on 2-28 April 2024.

For more information on the championship, CLICK HERE.

To find out more about the Ligier JS P320, CLICK HERE.

To find out more about the Ligier JS P3, CLICK HERE.