Ligier JS F4 Series: double victory for Kekai Hauanio at Mid-Ohio
The third race weekend of the Ligier JS F4 Series took place from June 20-23 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and saw the two overall leaders share victories, with Teddy Musella (#25 Ligier JS F4, Scuderia Buell) on Saturday 22, and Kekai Hauanio (#29 Ligier JS F4, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport) in the two races on Sunday 23.
On Sunday, the onset of rain led the race directors to declare races 2 and 3 'wet' for the use of rain tyres.
Race 1: Teddy Musella takes the lead from Kekai Hauanio.
- Kekai Hauanio (Ligier JS F4 #29, Crosslink Motorsport) retained his pole position advantage at the start, but Teddy Musella (Ligier JS F4 #25, Scuderia Buell), huddled in his wake, overtook him on the second lap. They remained in the same second in that order until the finish.
- The places of honour were contested between Bacon Zelenka and Brad Majman (Ligier JS F4 #45 and 95, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport), as well as between Maite Caseres (Ligier JS F4 #6, International Motorsports) and Drew Szuch (Ligier JS F4 #28, Szuch Racing). Zelenka eventually had the better of them before a Full Course Yellow with three minutes to go, and closed out the top 3.
For the full article on Race 1, CLICK HERE.
Race 2: Kekai Hauanio pulls off a great comeback.
- Hauanio took the lead before succumbing to pressure from Musella, who took control of the race.
- The track conditions changed as it dried out. Hauanio decided to let Musella, Caceres, Zelenka and Hayden Bowlsbey (Ligier JS F4 #83, IGY6 Motorsports) go.
- “I fell back there at the beginning, but then I got to watch the other drivers and see what line they were racing,” explained Hauanio.
- He then climbed back into the lead and crossed the finish line ahead of Musella and Caceres.
For the full article on Race 2, CLICK HERE.
Race 3: Kekai Hauanio takes his second victory at Mid-Ohio.
- Hauanio got off to the best start. The second position of Jake Pollack (Ligier JS F4 #1, JENSEN) was threatened by Zelenka, then Musella and Majman.
- Hauanio won ahead of Musella and Majman, who was penalised five seconds for pushing Pollack off the track. The latter regained third place.
- Excursions in the gravel due to wet track conditions resulted in a red flag and a finish under Full Course Yellow.
For the article on race 3, CLICK HERE.
The next round of the Ligier JS F4 Series will take place from July 25-28 at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
For more information on the Ligier JS F4, CLICK HERE.
For more information on the Ligier JS F4 Series, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: Gavin Baker