Ligier Automotive North America wraps up a successful 2026 season.
The 2026 North American season came to a close with a particularly strong record for Ligier Automotive. In endurance racing, the Ligier JS P325 claimed its first North American title with Toney Driver Development in the IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge. In single-seater racing, three drivers were crowned champions in series featuring Ligier race cars: Brady Golan in Formula Regional Americas, Gastón Irazú in the F4 U.S. Championship and Beckham Jacir in the Ligier Junior Formula Championship. Two of them will also receive support from Ligier to continue their progression in 2027 within the new NA Formula Ladder.
A first U.S. title for the Ligier JS P325
In its first season of competition in the United States, the Ligier JS P325 claimed its first North American title in the IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge.
At Road America, the #30 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P325, driven by Ari Balogh and Garett Grist, finished second in the finale and secured the championship title. The team also wrapped up the race with a one-two finish, as the #95 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P325 of Lincoln Day and Wyatt Brichacek took victory ahead of its sister car.
The title capped off Toney Driver Development's first full IMSA campaign. The team has already confirmed its commitment for 2027 with a multi-car LMP3 program featuring several Ligier JS P325s.
Next season will also mark a major change for the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, which will move away from sprint races to a 100% endurance format. Seven rounds lasting between 90 minutes and three hours will be held at Sebring, Barber, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, Road America, Road Atlanta and Lime Rock.
Brady Golan crowned Formula Regional Americas champion
Toney Driver Development also enjoyed success in single-seater racing with Brady Golan, who was crowned the 2026 Formula Regional Americas champion at the wheel of the #40 Ligier JS F3.
Golan secured the title at the penultimate round at VIRginia International Raceway by winning the second race of the weekend. He then completed his campaign with 298,5 points and added an eighth victory in the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.
Following its endurance title with the Ligier JS P325, Toney Driver Development therefore concluded a 2026 season marked by two championship crowns in two different disciplines with Ligier.
Gastón Irazú continues his rise
The 2025 Ligier Junior Formula Championship winner, Gastón Irazú, took another step forward in 2026. In his first season in the F4 U.S. Championship, the Uruguayan driver won the title with Champagne Racing at the wheel of the Ligier JS F422.
He secured the championship at VIR with two victories over the weekend. By the end of the season, Irazú had recorded nine wins, five pole positions, eleven fastest laps and fifteen podium finishes.
Thanks to this title, he will continue his progression in 2027 in NA3, the new next level of the NA Formula Ladder. Ligier Automotive will support him in this new step by providing a Ligier JS F326.
Beckham Jacir crowned Ligier Junior Formula Championship champion
Champagne Racing also claimed the Ligier Junior Formula Championship title with Beckham Jacir.
Competing in the Gen. 1 category with the Ligier JS F4, the American delivered a standout season with 13 victories, 14 podium finishes, six pole positions and eleven fastest laps in 15 races. He secured the title at VIR and also contributed to Champagne Racing's second consecutive Teams' title in the series.
The young driver will also receive support from Ligier Automotive in 2027 as he moves up to the next level. He will be provided with a Ligier JS F422 to compete in the NA4 Championship.
A new Ligier single-seater ladder in North America
The titles won by Gastón Irazú and Beckham Jacir take on even greater significance with the launch of the NA Formula Ladder in 2027, a new single-seater development pathway created by Racing America around three levels: NAJr, NA4 and NA3.
All three championships will exclusively use Ligier single-seaters and Hankook tires. The Ligier JS F4 will compete in NAJr, the Ligier JS F422 in NA4, while NA3 will feature both the first-generation Ligier JS F3 and the new Ligier JS F326. The inaugural season will begin on March 18-21, 2027, at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
The structure will also include awards designed to help drivers progress from one level to the next. Ligier Automotive will notably provide a car and engine to eligible champions moving up through the ladder, alongside Hankook Tire, which will provide tires, and Racing America, which will cover entry fees.
A 2026 season already laying the groundwork for 2027
With a first U.S. title for the Ligier JS P325 in endurance racing, three champions crowned at the wheel of Ligier single-seaters and a new development ladder set to launch in 2027, Ligier Automotive North America wraps up a 2026 season rich in achievements.
The 2027 season will open a new chapter with the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge moving to a 100% endurance format and the launch of the NA Formula Ladder. These two programs will allow Ligier to continue expanding its presence in North America, in both sports prototype and single-seater racing.
For more information on the NA Formula Ladder championships:
To learn more about Ligier single-seaters:
Photo credit: Gavin Baker