Category: North American Racing

Radford Racing School and Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) will once again host the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. “Karts to Cars” Scholarship School — a joint venture that brings together some of the best karters from around North America to get their first experience in a single-seater race car. The two-day school will take place Dec. 5-6 at Radford Racing School’s multi-track facility in Chandler, Ariz. Three accomplished karters have received nominations from their respective karting programs. Pictured above, from left: Ty Arbogast and Vaughn Beesley from New Castle Motorsports Park, as well as the first female participant, Sarah Bradley, from ROK Cup USA.

“We’re excited to welcome another class of karters for the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Scholarship School,” said Scott Goodyear, race director of F4 U.S. “This program is a proven way for new drivers to develop their skills and go on to win races and championships — a prime example is this year’s FR Americas champion, Patrick Woods-Toth, who was a member of our first ‘Karts to Cars’ scholarship class. After using this program to get his first experience in a single-seater race car, he went on to win the F4 U.S. championship the next season, and then the FR Americas title this year. The instructors do a terrific job acclimating these karters to race cars, while sharing their own first-hand knowledge as they get the drivers up to speed. It’s incredible to see the progress made within just a few short days.”

The Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Scholarship School is designed to help attendees acclimate to a race car, while teaching them the basics of handling and car control. Nominated by some of North America’s best karting programs, scholarship recipients travel to Radford’s facility to participate in the school, which utilizes the same combination as the Ligier JS F4 Series — a Ligier JS F4-16 chassis, Hankook racing slicks and a Honda 2.0-liter engine designed and engineered by Mountune. With ground school, skid control, lead-follow sessions, braking, shifting and handling drills, the program is uniquely designed to account for the fact that participants are some of the top karters. The scholarship includes a two-day school, with participants having the option to add on a third lapping day.

At just 14 years old, Ty Arbogast has competed in numerous karting series, including the United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS), Cup Karts North America (CKNA), Kart Racers of America (KRA), Route 66 Sprint Series, World Karting Association (WKA) and more. Debuting as a junior driver in 2023, Arbogast emerged as an undefeated champion in the Briggs L0206 Junior class at New Castle Motorsports Park (NCMP). Catching the attention of NCMP owner Mark Dismore, the Avon, Ind. native was nominated to the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. “Karts to Cars” scholarship.

“I’m excited to earn this scholarship and take another step forward in my career,” said Arbogast. “I can’t wait to learn as much as possible while at the Radford Racing School. I’m grateful for this opportunity, for the support I’ve received, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

With the other program attendees nearing a decade of experience, 17-year-old Vaughn Beesley began karting just two years ago. Racing in SuperKarts USA (SKUSA), USPKS, CKNA, WKA, Route 66 and more, Beesley competed in two different classes this season, debuting in the shifter class and sweeping every race he finished in the KA100 class at NCMP en route to the championship.

“This scholarship is an opportunity to take my racing to the next level and learn from some of the best in the sport,” said Beesley. “To be recognized this way means so much to me, and I’m incredibly thankful for the trust and support this represents. I’m excited to give everything I have at the Radford Racing School and make the most of this experience. It’s not just a step forward for my career — it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and how much I have to look forward to. I would like to thank Mike Adams and the team at New Castle Motorsports Park, Tony Parella, F4 U.S., Scott Goodyear, and the Radford Racing School for making this possible.”

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Sarah Bradley and her family relocated to Indianapolis and Florida to chase her passion of racing. Competing nationally in ROK Cup USA, SKUSA and USPKS, her first national Junior class win came at the ROK Cup Florida Winter Tour earlier this year. Bradley went on to finish second in the ROK Championship in 2024.

“I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity this scholarship provides,” said Bradley, who is the first female to attend the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. “Karts to Cars” Scholarship School. “This is an amazing opportunity for me to be able to test these cars for the first time, when I otherwise didn’t know when or if I would be able to do so. My dream is to race F1. I hope to gain more experience — and maybe more opportunities will open up for me after the school. I will put in my best effort doing what I love and won’t waste this opportunity to advance my career.”

In its third year, the scholarship program formulated by Parella Motorsports Holdings and Radford Racing School is a proven path for developing drivers, with first-year graduate Patrick Woods-Toth capitalizing on the opportunity from Motomaster Ron Fellows Karting Championship to launch his career in single-seater race cars. Completing the school in December 2022, Woods-Toth won the 2023 F4 U.S. drivers’ championship and a scholarship to compete in Formula Regional Americas the following season. The Canadian went on to win the 2024 Formula Regional Americas championship title and joined Kyle Kirkwood and Dakota Dickerson as one of only three drivers to win back-to-back championships in the two series.

GRIDLIFE, the dynamic motorsport and music festival series, staged the final event of the 2024 season last weekend at Thunderhill Raceway Park in California.

The weekend marked the close of a record-breaking year for GRIDLIFE, as the motorsport organization set new marks with increased driver participation and a thriving paddock, expanded both the in-person and digital audience, growing its partnership portfolio, as well as continuing to grow its diverse offering of entertainment for the festival-style event gatherings through the year.

Along the way, GRIDLIFE competitors broke track records around the country as 30 different manufacturers found victory lane on the way to crowning eight season champions.

In just over a decade, GRIDLIFE has become one of the fastest-growing, youngest motorsports paddock globally, establishing itself as a leader in immersive, boundary-pushing events that feature a unique combination of motorsports competition, musical festivals and gatherings for automotive enthusiasts.

Staged across the country at some of the most iconic motorsports facilities in North America, the 2024 GRIDLIFE season featured a schedule of CLUB and FESTIVAL event weekends that captivated a predominantly young audience, 73% of which falls between 18-34 years old.

“The 2024 season has been nothing short of monumental for GRIDLIFE,” said GRIDLIFE President and Founder Chris Stewart. “Our goal has always been to push the limits and create a one-of-a-kind environment where motorsport, music and community converge. This season’s record-breaking attendance and engagement are a testament to the passion of our fans, the talent of our drivers and the commitment of our partners who share our vision for the future of motorsport culture.”

GRIDLIFE paddock grows

With five unique festivals and nine adrenaline-charged race weekends, GRIDLIFE saw an astounding 2,951 on-track entries throughout the 2024 season, a 30% increase over 2023.

Representative of GRIDLIFE’s growth trend, 2024 saw a 34% increase in driver registration for its popular wheel-to-wheel sprint racing series, GRIDLIFE Touring Cup (GLTC). GLTC fields featured several races that were 60-drivers strong, and averaged an astounding 44 entries through the 40-race season spread across 10 weekends.

The significant increase in GLTC drivers in the paddock required the development of a revised format for some of the rounds, dividing the field into two groups based on qualifying times. This innovative format not only allowed more drivers to participate, but also maintained GRIDLIFE’s reputation for clean, competitive racing, reinforcing the organization’s mission of inclusion and accessibility. Even the season champion set a new record, as Matan Rosenberg became the youngest-ever GRIDLIFE Champion at just 20 years old.

GRIDLIFE’s TrackBattle TimeAttack continues to represent the largest field of competitors in North America, showcasing the largest field ever with 107 skilled drivers fiercely competing on the track at GRIDLIFE’s inaugural Summer Apex Festival, held at Road America last July.

Additionally, a large development in GRIDLIFE’s TrackBattle product in 2024 was the successful introduction of the Podium Sprint. Developed with spectator presentation in mind, this innovative format raises the intensity of competition. All competitors within their TrackBattle class must qualify in the top-five of their class before they race in a final showdown, the Podium Sprint, where each qualifier gets two solo flying laps to record their fastest time in a high-stakes presentation that puts everything on the line.

Introduced in 2024, the GRIDLIFE RUSH SR National Championship opened up thrilling new opportunities for participants and fans. Utilizing the RUSH SR, a lightweight and high-performance sports racer designed by RUSH Auto Works to be a driver’s car from the wheels up, the category featured 160 entries over 20 races, with a 36-car average field size, far exceeding expectations for its inaugural season.

GRIDLIFE also set new benchmarks by being the exclusive organization that brings exhibition drifting to some of the most iconic road courses in the US. With seven rounds and 280 drivers, GRIDLIFE Drift enables talents like James Deane, Vaughn Gitten JR, Chelsea DeNofa, Justin Pawlak, Chris Forsberg, Ryan Tuerck and dozens more the freedom to showcase their talents at full speed to the beat of a motorsports festival to the delight of thousands of fans.

Music festivals add to GRIDLIFE paddock vibes

GRIDLIFE’s first edition of the Music & Motorsport Festival began in 2014 at the Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI. The event created an atmosphere that transcended the traditional motorsport event structure and attracted a vibrant and engaged fan base of nearly a quarter million people since its inception. Since then, the GRIDLIFE Festival Tour has become a national series ranging from coast-to-coast.

GRIDLIFE’s 2024 season elevated the intersection of motorsports and music culture with a lineup of 60 live music performances. Headlined by iconic artists like multi-Grammy winners T-Pain and Deadmau5, GRIDLIFE also showcased the energy of dance music heavyweights Zeds Dead, Madeon & Liquid Stranger. With a diverse mix of legendary performers and cutting-edge talent, GRIDLIFE once again proved its commitment to creating unforgettable experiences where motorsports and music collide.

Partners and content

Having provided broadcast-quality multicam streams on YouTube and Twitch with GRIDLIFE Live production, GRIDLIFE continued to find an eager audience and deliver on its mission to bring motorsport culture to new audiences with a high level of accessibility for fans both online and at live events with a production that rivals professional motorsport coverage.

In addition to record participation on the track, GRIDLIFE’s digital community soared, reaching a social media following of 339,000 fans and generating more than 65 million impressions.

Thanks to an impressive lineup of 17 season partners and a fast-expanding presence on social media, GRIDLIFE continues to grow its influence and connect with fans in fresh, authentic ways.

What’s next for 2025?

The memories of 2024 have yet to fade, and GRIDLIFE is eager to kick the 2025 season off as the series continues to grow with the goal of setting new standards in the motorsport and entertainment landscape, continuing its mission to offer young fans an unforgettable, multi-sensory experience that celebrates speed, music, culture and good vibes.

The 2025 schedule will be released in the upcoming weeks.

Formula Regional Americas Championship has announced a new scholarship program for its 2025 season, awarding up to six drivers in the championship with cash prizes to assist in the next step of their racing career. With incremental prizes given to each of the top-five drivers, as well as the top-finishing rookie, the 2025 drivers’ champion is set to be awarded $100,000 cash.

“We’re excited to launch the prize fund for FR Americas in 2025,” said series race director Scott Goodyear. “Looking to build on a very successful 2024 season, which saw us take the series into Canada for the first time while racing in front of 35,000 fans, we feel this program will strengthen the championship even more — attracting new drivers from around the world, and giving them valuable prizes to further their career. Most importantly, the prize fund continues to increase the depth of our ladder system, allowing drivers to move from karting to cars and use our scholarship prizes to take the next step in their racing career. With graduates among the starting grids of the Indianapolis 500, IndyCar, FIA Formula 3, Super Formula, IMSA, NASCAR, Indy NXT and more, our open-wheel ladder has a proven trajectory for success.”

The year-end awards, with a total prize fund of $160,000, will be distributed among as many as six drivers. The FR Americas champion will be awarded $100,000, while the runner-up will receive $25,000 and the third-place finisher will collect $15,000. Prizes will extend throughout the top five, as the driver finishing fourth in the point standings will be awarded $10,000 and the driver finishing fifth will receive $5,000. In addition, the top-finishing rookie will also be awarded a $5,000 year-end prize.

While the prize fund is set to reward drivers in the top level of Parella Motorsports Holdings’ open-wheel ladder, drivers competing in the junior levels will also compete for scholarships to assist in their forward progress in a career in motorsports on the Road to F1.

The 2025 drivers’ champion in Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) will receive a scholarship to step up to the next level — FR Americas — in 2026. The winner will be provided the use of a JS F3 chassis from Ligier Automotive, an F3 engine developed, engineered and provided by Mountune, tires supplied by Hankook Motorsports, and race entry fees from PMH.

In the Ligier JS F4 Series (JS F4), the 2025 drivers’ champion will win a scholarship to compete in F4 U.S. the following season, which includes the use of an F4 U.S. chassis and Ligier Storm engine from Ligier Automotive, tires supplied by Hankook Motorsports and race entry fees from PMH.

The scholarships, paired with additional contingency awards given to the champion, runner-up and third-place finisher, present a significant prize package for drivers competing in both F4 U.S and JS F4. Both scholarship prizes cover the cost of the season, excluding testing, team costs and travel. With the additional value added by product and contingency prizes, the F4 U.S. awards carry a total value of $295,280, while JS F4’s prizes combine for a value of $197,680.

All three series on the PMH open-wheel ladder continue to provide the lowest cost per mile compared to other professional racing series in North America, as well as the other Formula 4 and Formula Regional championships around the globe. The low cost, paired with strong competition, position the championships as a superb training ground for young drivers.

The 2025 season for FR Americas, F4 U.S. and JS F4 will open March 27-30 at NOLA Motorsports Park.

Titus Sherlock returned to victory lane for the fourth time this season in Formula Regional Americas Championship competition. In the opening race of the COTA SpeedTour at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Sherlock led from lights to flag to take the victory in dominating fashion.

Winning the pole during yesterday’s qualifying session, Sherlock (No. 31 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) led the field down the grid to start Race 1. As the lights went out, Sherlock immediately jumped ahead of the field, while they spread out two and three wide behind him. Jett Bowling (No. 02 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) and Bruno Ribeiro (No. 3 IGY6 Motorsports / Save22 Ligier JS F3) started second and third, but by the time they reached Turn 1, both were under pressure from Cole Kleck (No. 11 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) and Brady Golan (No. 80 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS F3), who had started in fourth and fifth. Bowling was forced wide through Turn 1, relegating him to fifth as the field raced toward the esses. Golan initially fell in line behind Sherlock, but Kleck continued to apply pressure, overtaking second as they entered Turn 1 on the second lap.

Opening up a 1.408s gap during the first 10 minutes, Sherlock’s advantage was erased by a full-course caution as Jake Pollack (No. 1 JENSEN Ligier JS F3) came to a rest in Turn 1 after suffering a mechanical issue. Just before the caution flag waved, Golan ducked behind the wall as he suffered a mechanical failure racing through the esses. As safety crews worked to clear the circuit, Sherlock continued to circle around behind the safety car with his mirrors filled with Kleck, Ribeiro, Bowling and Hayden Bowlsbey (No. 22 IGY6 Motorsports / Save22 Ligier JS F3), who completed the top five.

When the race resumed, Sherlock was under intense pressure, with Kleck pulling side by side as they entered Turn 1. Sherlock locked the brakes, which should have given Kleck the advantage, but the NOLA winner went wide on exit, instead allowing Bowling to sneak by for second. The pressure didn’t stop there as Bowling and Kleck swapped the runner up position at least two more times.

As the checkered flag waved, Sherlock was the first one across the finish line with a 3.442s advantage. Bowling followed in second, and Kleck crossed the line in third.

“The safety car made it a little tough with that close restart, but I still got it done in the end,” said Sherlock. “We had a good restart, and I had a fun battle with Cole — it was pretty intense. I was able to get away and get the win, so I’m super happy with that.”

FR Americas will contest their final race of the 2024 season Saturday at 1:15pm CT

RESULTS

Winning Race 2 at Circuit of The Americas, Teddy Musella clinched the Ligier JS F4 Series (JS F4) 2024 Championship. The Scuderia Buell driver has been the one to beat all weekend, topping the speed chart in every session, and now winning both races en route to locking in the title.

After setting the fastest lap in Race 1, Sacha van’t Pad Bosch (No. 27 Scuderia Buell Ligier JS F4) led the field toward the waving green flag to start the race. Musella (No. 25 Scuderia Buell Ligier JS F4) started second, but going a bit too wide into Turn 1, he settled into fourth place for the first lap. Up front, van’t Pad Bosch was challenged by third-place starter Leonardo Escorpioni (No. 26 Champagne Racing Ligier JS F4).

The two ran side by side while Musella and Maite Cáceres (No. 6 Abitab / Supermatch Ligier JS F4) battled for third behind them. Musella eventually won the battle against Cáceres as they raced through Turn 1 and then turned his focus to the front of the field as van’t Pad Bosch and Escorpioni continued to race wheel to wheel. A few turns later, Musella reached Escorpioni’s gearbox. Easily completing the pass, he pulled up to van’t Pad Bosch’s gearbox seconds later, making his way around his teammate to take the race lead.

Once in control of the event, Musella was unstoppable. A safety car period briefly slowed his pace as contact further back in the field sent Brad Majman (No. 95 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F4) into the tire barrier. With cleanup work complete, the race resumed with approximately nine minutes left on the clock. Musella once again jumped ahead of the pack and kept his sights forward. Behind him, Escorpioni settled into second and van’t Pad Bosch in third.

Championship contender Kekai Hauanio (No. 29 N.E.Where Transportation / New’T Racing Ligier JS F4) had to start the race from pit lane after a penalty was assessed following Race 1. The Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport driver took advantage of the restart to jump up to sixth, and made his way around Cáceres to overtake fifth during the closing minutes. Racing three wide into Turn 12 on the final lap, van’t Pad Bosch and Drew Szuch (No. 28 Szuch Racing Ligier JS F4) both pulled wheel to wheel with Escorpioni. Szuch initially pulled ahead, but van’t Pad Bosch and Escorpioni pulled off an over-under move for both to overtake Szuch.

As they crossed the finish line, Musella led the field, followed by van’t Pad Bosch in second and Escorpioni in third. Szuch crossed the line in fourth, followed by Hauanio in fifth.

During post-race inspection, officials found a technical infraction on the No. 27 driven by van’t Pad Bosch, which the stewards determined was in breach of the sporting regulations. As a result, van’t Pad Bosch was dropped to last place in the classification and lost all lap times.

“We had quite an unlucky start falling back to fourth, but I knew to just focus on the championship — take your positions when you can and don’t make any risky moves,” said Musella. “I ended up taking P1 at the end of it, so it was just a great result for our entire team. What a high it’s been — to come back from [a tough weekend at] Road America to win a championship is just an amazing feeling. Honestly, I’m at a loss for words with the amount of emotion I’m feeling. I want to thank my dad, my team at Scuderia Buell and everyone else that’s helped me throughout this journey.”

JS F4 will contest their final race of the 2024 season Saturday at 8:50am CT.

RESULTS

Popow goes two in a row during F4 U.S. debut

Alex Popow has two race starts and two race wins in Formula 4 United States Championship after taking the victory in Race 2 at Circuit of The Americas on Friday afternoon. Leading from flag to flag, Popow crossed the line with a lead of 1.373s to claim his second checkered flag of the weekend.

From the wave of the green flag there was no stopping Alex Popow (No. 55 MLT Motorsports Ligier JS F422). The 18-year-old Venezuelan-American secured the pole for Race 2 after setting the fastest lap — and a new track record — during Thursday’s Race 1, and immediately pulled to the point position. Points leader Nicolas Stati (No. 15 AGI Sport Ligier JS F422) started in second, but found himself under immediate pressure from championship rival Daniel Quimby (No. 24 Cruise America / MIR Raceline / FIJI Airways / GalvanizeIns Ligier JS F422), who had started the race in the fourth position.

By the time they exited Turn 1, Quimby had worked his way up to second, staying close to Popow’s rear wing. Another driver with a great start was fifth-place starter Connor Roberts (No. 46 ApexSpeed.com / Entropy Cellars Ligier JS F422), who pulled into third by the time the field completed the first lap. 

With the front three pulling away, Stati slotted into fourth while some of the most exciting racing took place behind him as Alex Crosbie (No. 41 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) and Lincoln Day (No. 54 MLT Motorsports Ligier JS F422) fought for the fifth position. Crosbie took the spot just in time, as a full-course caution brought out the safety car.

When the race restarted, Popow once again jumped to the point position. Right on Quimby’s gearbox, Stati was able to make a move into Turn 1 to claim the runner-up spot, but Quimby made his way back around his rival before the field reached the esses. With nearly nine minutes left on the clock, the front three drivers settled in nose to tail, while Crosbie looked for a way around Roberts. Within two laps, the New Zealander had made his way around Roberts to claim fourth, and the field raced toward the checkered flag.

Popow was first to take the checkered flag, followed by Quimby in second and Stati in third.

“It’s just been incredible,” said Popow. “I’m so happy to be here once again — thank you to all the guys at MLT and everyone who’s helped me get into this position. It’s just incredible the amount of work we’ve put in over the last couple weeks coming from [Carolina Motorsports Park], where we did our first testing. It’s great. I have to thank my dad — without him, I wouldn’t be here. He’s the one that got me into racing, and showed me what I love to do.”

After the race, a series of stewards’ decisions resulted in penalties that adjusted the finishing order. Drivers receiving a penalty included:

• Nicolas Stati: two five-second time penalties, moving him to sixth on the official results
• Alex Crosbie: five-second time penalty, moving him to fifth on the official results
• Lincoln Day: five-second time penalty
• Seth Gilmore: five-second time penalty

RESULTS

Alex Popow dominated in Formula 4 United States Championship at Circuit of The Americas on Thursday. The 18-year-old Venezuelan American led practice, took the pole in qualifying, and led the race from flag to flag to earn his first-career win in his F4 U.S. series debut. The victory marked the first F4 U.S. win for MLT Motorsports, which expanded to a two-car team for the season finale at COTA.

After entering the weekend with a 5.5-point margin, Nicolas Stati extended his points lead with a runner-up finish in Race 1.

With his third-place result, Connor Roberts extended his podium streak to five consecutive races. Since Round 8 at NJMP, Roberts has earned one win, two second-place results and two third-place finishes.

Three teams were represented on today’s podium with MLT Motorsports earning their first win, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport finishing second and Team Roberts Racing taking third.

After earning the pole earlier in the day, Popow led the field down the front stretch for a two-by-two rolling start. Next to him was Alex Crosbie (No. 41 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422), while the second row was filled with championship rivals Stati (No. 15 AGI Sport Ligier JS F422) and Daniel Quimby (No. 24 Cruise America / MIR Raceline / FIJI Airways / GalvanizeIns Ligier JS F422).

As the green flag waved, Popow immediately jumped ahead of the field, while Stati overtook second. With a great start from fifth, Roberts (No. 46 ApexSpeed.com / Entropy Cellars Ligier JS F422) climbed into third by the completion of the first lap, as Crosbie dropped to fourth and Quimby (No. 24 Cruise America / MIR Raceline / FIJI Airways / GalvanizeIns Ligier JS F422) to fifth.

In an all-green race, Popow made consistent, quick laps, setting a new track record in his Ligier JS F422 and opening up nearly a three-second lead as the race approached its halfway point. During the closing laps, Stati steadily chipped away at the gap, picking up a full second during the race’s final 10 minutes. Despite his best efforts, Stati was unable to get close enough to make a run at the lead and instead had to settle for second while Popow sailed away to his first-career victory.

As they crossed the line, Popow led, followed by Stati in second and Roberts in third.

“This is incredible,” said Popow. “We’ve been fighting all year to get a proper ride and it finally came to fruition here with MLT at COTA. It’s incredible to sweep the day — P1 in practice, quali and to take the race win—it’s just awesome. It’s definitely special to win here, especially after F1 was here just a week ago. My dad used to race here and he won here around 2014, so it’s so cool to be able to come back here and win myself.”

F4 U.S. will contest Race 2 at COTA today at 3:55pm CT. A live stream of the event will be available at YouTube.com/SpeedTourTV,

RESULTS

Musella wins, takes points lead in JSF4 Race 1 at COTA

Teddy Musella dominated Race 1 for the Ligier JS F4 Series (JS F4) at Circuit of The Americas on Thursday afternoon. Leading the race from flag to flag in an all-green event, Musella (No. 25 Scuderia Buell Ligier JS F4) crossed the line with an 18.485-second margin over second-place finisher, series newcomer, Leonardo Escorpioni (No. 26 Champagne Racing Ligier JS F4).

After securing the pole during qualifying Thursday afternoon, Musella led the field down the front stretch as the green flag waved at COTA. To his outside was Sacha van’t Pad Bosch (No. 27 Scuderia Buell Ligier JS F4), who was making his JS F4 race debut. Close racing at the drop of the green flag saw van’t Pad Bosch racing three wide with Leonardo Escorpioni (No. 26 Champagne Racing Ligier JS F4) and Kekai Hauanio (No. 29 N.E.Where Transportation / New’T Racing Ligier JS F4) into the tight left-handed Turn 1 with Bacon Zelenka (No. 45 Bacon Racing Ligier JS F4) hot on their tracks. The scuffle led to a spin for van’t Pad Bosch, and by the completion of the first lap, Escorpioni settled into second with Hauanio trailing in third.

Hauanio, however, with a championship on his mind and Musella out front, kept his focus forward. Continuing to apply pressure to Escorpioni, Hauanio completed the pass as they exited Turn 20 to complete the third lap. With over six seconds separating the two championship rivals, both drivers did their best to hit their marks, with Hauanio hoping to chip away at the lead and Musella working to maintain the gap. The race behind them saw Escorpioni, Zelenka and Brad Majman (No. 95 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F4) all jockeying for the third position.

With a green race all the way through, Musella led the field as they raced past the waving white flag. Hauanio had cut the gap down to approximately five seconds, but as they raced through the final turns, Hauanio’s car suddenly lost power and came to a complete stop mere yards from the finish line. As they reached the checkered flag, Escorpioni made the pass to move into second, with Zelenka following in third after getting around Majman on the final lap of the race. Maite Cáceres (No. 6 Abitab / Supermatch Ligier JS F4), who had started the race in eighth, crossed the finish line in fourth with van’t Pad Bosch battling back to complete the top five.

A series of post-race stewards’ decisions carried implications, not just on the finishing order of the race, but potentially in the championship battle, too.

After reviewing the last-lap exchange between Majman and Zelenka, the Stewards determined that contact was made between the two cars in Turn 1 and again in Turn 3, ruling Zelenka as wholly responsible. As a result, it was determined that Zelenka would finish behind Majman on the final results, dropping him to 13th in the finishing order. Also reviewing the first lap incident with van’t Pad Bosch in Turn 1, the Stewards ruled that Zelenka was wholly responsible for the incident after causing nose-to-tail contact. As a result, Zelenka was suspended for the remainder of the event.

The Stewards also reviewed contact between Hauanio and Escorpioni during the final two laps. In both instances, the Stewards determined that Hauanio was wholly responsible for the collisions. As such, Hauanio will begin Race 2 from the Pit Lane.

“Today was a great experience,” said Musella. “After a very hard race in New Jersey in the last round, to come here and dominate like this is such a relief. I’m in the championship lead now, so we just have to defend it for the last two rounds of the weekend. I don’t have to chase it; I can be more lenient and not worry about winning every race — if someone’s being super aggressive and it’s not Kekai [Hauanio], I don’t have to risk my race for it. I’m in control of the championship now.”

JS F4 will contest Race 2 at COTA today at 3:55pm CT. A live stream of the event will be available at YouTube.com/SpeedTourTV,

RESULTS

Last weekend, Lime Rock Park transformed into the ultimate destination for Mazda Miata enthusiasts as MiataCon 2024 attracted over 500 Miatas from all generations and fans from across the country, some traveling from as far as California. Against the vibrant autumn backdrop of Northwest Connecticut’s hills, the event celebrated the legacy and lifestyle of Mazda’s iconic sports car.

In its second year, Lime Rock Park, in partnership with Sports Car Driver Association (SCDA), MiataCon’s success was unmistakable, with attendance and participation skyrocketing. Race entries surged by 55 percent, while MiataX, the FCP Euro Proving Grounds Autocross experience, saw an 80 percent increase, as more fans than ever stepped behind the wheel to test their Miatas with professional guidance.

The Car Corrals saw 25 percent more participants, all rallying around the passion for Miatas and adding to the atmosphere that is turning MiataCon into a hallmark event for Mazda enthusiasts.

“MiataCon has evolved into an annual celebration of the global passion for the MX-5 community,” said Lime Rock Park President Dicky Riegel, who raced in the Spec Miata class. “The outpouring of dedication from Miata owners, fans, Mazda North America and Mazda Motorsports, along with Mazda of Milford, Whaling City Mazda and Moss Miata makes this event special and highlights the incredible sense of unity within this community.”

Adding a spark of royalty to the weekend, the youngest-ever SCCA National Spec Miata Champion, 15-year-old Ethan Goulart, was crowned King Grand Marshal of MiataCon. Riegel presented Goulart with a crown, scepter and cape, celebrating his accomplishments and infusing the event with a sense of pride and community spirit.

“We are excited that MiataCon has become a must-attend event for Mazda Miata racers and car enthusiasts,” said SCDA President Elivan Goulart. “We had a remarkable increase in entries this year between three Sprint Race Groups, our HPDE Group and our Endurance Race. But what truly sets this event apart is the unique blend of competitive racing and deep camaraderie among the Miata community. With such an impressive turnout in year two, we can’t wait to see what next year holds. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Lime Rock Park on this fun event.”

Event Highlights:
The excitement began on Friday with two scenic drives through Connecticut’s autumn countryside, led by the Nutmeg Miata Club, immersing drivers in breathtaking fall colors and creating a very unique collective experience for the Miata drivers and their passengers. MiataX also welcomed new participants to Lime Rock’s FCP Euro Proving Grounds, where beginners took on “Intro to MiataX” sessions that offered an accessible, exhilarating track experience, setting a record for event participation.

On Saturday, the paddock was alive with car corrals and displays organized by Miata generation — NA, NB, NC, and ND — alongside a display of JDM sports cars and charming Kei cars. Mazda of Milford returned with an impressive eight-car showcase, featuring models from the CX-30 to the CX-90 and the Mazda 3 Hatchback, plus two additional Miatas for fans to explore. The Moss Miata Car Show made its debut, awarding the Best Overall In Show to Allision Contursi’s 1991 NA. The Best in Style went to Jason Testa’s 2006 NC and Joe Wall’s 2019 ND snagged the award for Most Personality. His bright orange Miata, which he decked out as a pumpkin, (even donning a pumpkin costume himself) added to the festive spirit of the event.

In the Mazda USA Lounge, attendees explored Mazda USA’s Heritage Collection, showcasing rare and cherished Miatas that highlighted the car’s evolution across generations. Fans admired seven models, from the earliest Miata to the current 2024 version, including unique designs like the “Halfie” model — half stock ND Miata and half MX-5 Cup Car — and a SEMA concept car, all underscoring the timeless appeal and innovation behind the Miata.

The night ended with a lively MiataCon Mixer where attendees enjoyed music and campfire hangs.

Exciting Saturday racing:
While the paddock buzzed with the spirit of the Miata lifestyle, the main circuit roared with thrilling MX-5 competition. The racing lineup included nine Lime Rock Park Drivers Club members, two SCCA National Champions- Evilan Goulart and Jonathan Goring- and the current SCCA National Spec Miata Ethan Goulart, who participated in the Enduro on Saturday, missing Friday due to school.

The largest class of the weekend, Spec Miata, boasted a near 40-car grid and also saw the closest finish of the weekend with Matt Carr edging out Sean Noonan by .167-seconds to claim the checkered flag.

Ric Hosley clinched the MiataCon Ultimate Lap Record in the NB Open X class, setting a time of 59.141 seconds during Group 3 Qualifying Race 2, a testament to the competitive spirit and skill of MiataCon racers.

Exciting prize packages added extra incentive for the drivers, with Hoosier Tire East sponsoring contingency prizes for top finishers. Each class winner received a pair of high-performance Hoosier racing tires, while the rest of the podium finishers were awarded a single Hoosier Tire each. Additionally, class winners earned the title of “Miata Master” and the chance to return to defend their title at MiataCon 2025, with Lime Rock Park underwriting the entry fees. Winners also received complimentary entry to an Advanced Lapping Day with the Lime Rock Drivers Club, and second and third-place finishers were awarded two weekend passes to any 2025 Lime Rock Park event. SCDA contributed gift certificates for podium finishers, rounding out a generous prize pool for MiataCon competitors.

Race results:
Spec Miata: Mathew Carr (No. 90), Sean Noonan (No. 0), Dean Lambros (No. 757)
MX-5 Cup: Massimo Risi (No. 18), Colin Duffy (No. 72), Justin Tracy (No. 33)
NC Open Exhibition: Jaden Lander (No. 04), Alex Rubenstein (No. 600), Brad Childs (No. 87)
NB Open Exhibition: Ric Hosley (No. 553), Shakir Wilson (No. 3), Michal Stach (No. 681)
NA Open Exhibition: David Gran (No. 13), Terrence Smith (No. 00), Ed Zemeck (No. 38)
Endurance Race: Massimo Risi & Josh Green (MX-5 Cup No. 18), Aleks Radovic-Moreno (NB Open X No. 129), Dicky Riegel & Don Drislane (Spec Miata No. 34)

The weekend closed on Sunday with 1,100 cars participating in the final FCP Euro Sunday Motoring Meet of the season, which included a special Trunk or Treat, celebrating a diverse array of cars and a shared passion for motoring.

MiataCon concluded the Lime Rock Park 2024 season. The full 2025 season schedule will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Fans who missed MiataCon, can watch the Glimpse of MiataCon powered by Mazda of Milford live stream replay here.