Kennedy, Jacir take Ligier JFC wins at NJMP

Edward Kennedy and Beckham Jacir collected class wins in Ligier Junior Formula Championship’s (Ligier JFC) Race 1 at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) on Saturday afternoon. 

As the lights went out, the Gen. 1 class led the Gen. 2 Class leaving Jacir (No. 7 Stonica / Bell / OMP / P1DOKS / Behind the Wheel / Champagne Racing Ligier JS F4) to bring the field down the starting grid. Immediately taking control of the race, Jacir’s Gen. 1 competitors battled for position behind him. Ava Hanssen (No. 26 One Powersports / Chiropractic Center of Elkhorn / NGK / Badger Mats Ligier JS F4) raced to second from her fourth-place starting position, while second-place starter Lazaro Bainotti (No. 11 Fundacion Fangio Rus seguros Cordoba deportes / Speed Factory Ligier JS F4) fell back to sixth.

While the Gen. 1 drivers battled for position, the Gen. 2 drivers took advantage of the close running order to race through the field. Kennedy (No. 30 MLT Motorsports Ligier JS F422) took the lead shortly after the five-minute mark, while Jack Speth (No. 07 Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) followed a few laps later.

Meanwhile, Jacir paced the Gen. 1 Class with them jockeying for position behind him. Bainotti first got around AJ Abdullah (No. 21 Freedom Detox / Grid State Digital / Berg Racing Ligier JS F4), and then engaged in a battle with Ava Hanssen (No. 26 One Powersports / Chiropractic Center of Elkhorn / NGK / Badger Mats Ligier JS F4). Passing Hanssen, there was only Jacir left in front of Bainotti in the Gen. 1 Class as the minutes ticked down. Hanssen then faced pressure from Alexander Savage (No. 33 KymaBoats.com / Triple Aim Medical Solutions / Nature Coast Health Care / G Tech Motorsports Ligier JS F4), who took the position as Hanssen suffered a mechanical issue that ended her day.

When the checkered flag waved, Kennedy led Speth in the Gen. 2 Class, while Jacir led Bainotti and Savage in Gen. 1.

“The car was amazing,” said Kennedy. “I was just trying to manage my tires, as I did a few laps less in qualifying. I kept an eye on Jack and managed that gap.”

“It was another good race,” said Jacir. “I can’t thank the team enough – thinking back over the whole year, I think the car is at its best now. It was on rails.

"It was a pretty calm race for me, it was just laying down laps and watching out for the tires. At one point, I thought, ‘Can I get the overall win?’ No, Edward was way too fast, but we took the class win.”

Ligier JFC will contest a doubleheader tomorrow as the lights go out at 10:45am and 2:55pm ET for Races 2 and 3.