ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — Jack Speth and Beckham Jacir emerged as winners in Ligier Junior Formula Championship (Ligier JFC) in Race 1 at Road America. The highly-contested race was filled with triumph and heartbreak, as multiple drivers led the field around the 4.048-mile circuit.
After three runner-up finishes at NOLA Motorsports Park last month, Jack Speth earned his first-career win in the Ligier JFC Gen. 2 Class.
Beckham Jacir returned to the top step of the podium for the third time this season in the Ligier JFC Gen. 1 Class.
AJ Abdullah earned his first-career podium with a career-best second-place finish.
After winning at NOLA, Lazaro Bainotti returned to the podium with a third-place result.
Ella White (No. 52 Berg Racing Ligier JS F4) earned a career-best fourth-place finish in the Ligier JFC Gen. 1 class. The result marked her first top-five finish.
Tyler Wade (No. 9 Dante’s Inferno / Perlson LLP / Berg Racing Ligier JS F4) scored a career-best result with a sixth-place finish in the Gen. 1 Class.
Beckham Jacir (No. 7 Stonica / Bell / OMP / P1DOKS / Behind the Wheel / Champagne Racing Ligier JS F4) led the field down the starting grid with hometown racer Ava Hanssen (No. 26 One Powersports / Chiropractic Center of Elkhorn / NGK / Badger Mats Ligier JS F4) to his outside. Hanssen, who lives less than two hours south of the circuit in Elkhorn, Wis., was determined to put on a show at her home track, and immediately jumped out to lead the field. Jacir stayed tight on her gearbox, taking the point a few turns later, but within a few minutes, Hanssen once again regained the lead.
A caution and ensuing restart gave Jacir another run at the lead, pulling to the outside as the field raced toward Turn 1. Hanssen spun in Turn 1, relinquishing the lead to Jacir and dropping back to sixth.
Meanwhile, AJ Abdullah (No. 21 Freedom Detox / Grid State Digital / Berg Racing Ligier JS F4) had been steadily climbing through the field after starting in seventh. Jacir, Abdullah and Lazaro Bainotti (No. 11 Fundacion Fangio Rus seguros Cordoba deportes / Speed Factory Ligier JS F4) found themselves battling for position during the closing laps, with Abdullah briefly leading. However, as the checkered flag waved, it was Jacir that led the trio across the finish line with Abdullah in second and Bainotti in third.
Jack Speth (No. 07 Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) wasted no time racing up through the field, taking the point position by lap two on the 4.048-mile circuit. However, his day wasn’t completely without incident, as he had to visit pit lane midrace. With quick work from the Kiwi Motorsport crew, Speth returned to the circuit, raced through the field for a second time, and sailed off with the Ligier JFC Gen. 2 victory.
“That was an amazing race,” said Speth after climbing from the car. “We had some shifting issues and dropped all the way back down. Then, I watched the car spin in front of me to bring out the caution, and I realized I still had a chance. Big thanks to the team; they got the car fixed and we were able to launch back out. I was able to get a great restart and passed everyone to get back into first.”
“It was a pretty fun race,” said Jacir after winning the Gen. 1 Class. “Road America always brings out pretty good races with the draft. I didn’t get the best start—starting on the inside doesn’t really help, as the track’s a bit dirty on the inside. Ava and I were just swapping positions, which is expected for Road America. I wasn’t expecting to get away like other races, so I played the long game and came home with a win. I can’t thank the team enough. Champagne Racing has done a lot—we’ve been working really well with the car setup and I’m happy with the team. I
