Multi-Year Agreement Focuses On Future Growth
INDIANAPOLIS (May 25, 2022) – Ligier Automotive and Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH) have announced an extension of their partnership to support the Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) and Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda (F4 U.S.) into 2023 and beyond. The multi-year agreement focuses on the future of both series, with enhancements like a new chassis for F4 U.S. competition and new engines for both FR Americas and F4 U.S.
“I am thrilled to announce the continuation of our partnership with Ligier Automotive,” said Tony Parella, CEO of PMH, the commercial rights holder to FR Americas and F4 U.S. “Since we announced PMH’s involvement with the championships in 2020, Ligier has been a key partner, which is further highlighted by the integral role they are taking on to support the championships’ future. I can’t wait to see the new Ligier JS F422 on track in 2024, and I’m excited to have our young drivers further protected with all the safety enhancements present on that chassis.”
The new agreement solidifies Ligier Automotive as the official chassis manufacturer for both FR Americas and F4 U.S., with the existing Ligier JS F3 and Ligier JS F4, respectively. It also paves the way for the debut of the highly-anticipated Ligier JS F422 in F4 U.S. competition in 2024. The second generation of the Ligier F4 will be lighter, longer and feature enhanced safety innovations, including the Halo driver impact system.
The 2024 championship season will also feature the premiere of the Ligier Storm, a 1.65-liter, V4 engine that will be utilized in both the FR Americas and F4 U.S. Championships. Currently in development, the engine is being tested by Ligier Automotive’s team of engineers, as well as test driver and 2021 FR Americas Vice Champion, Joshua Car.
“With so many manufacturers focusing on electric, we needed a power solution for both FR Americas and F4 U.S., and I’m proud for Ligier Automotive to be that solution,” said Max Crawford, CEO of Ligier Automotive North America. “We’ve put a lot of work into the new Ligier Storm engine, and we’re excited to see it power the FR Americas and F4 U.S. Championships beginning in 2024. Likewise, since the mid-2010s, we’ve produced more than 150 Ligier JS F4 and JS F3 chassis at Ligier facilities, and we’re excited to bring the JS F422 to life and watch it on the track in 2024. Ligier has always had a passion for motorsport, innovation and development, and this is the perfect culmination of all three.”
The FIA-certified and SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned FR Americas and F4 U.S. Championships will next visit Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Rounds 7-9 of their 18-round championship seasons. With the event scheduled for June 23-26, tickets are now available at SpeedTour.net. A live stream of the weekend will also be available at YouTube.com/SpeedTourTV.
Ligier Automotive: Ligier Automotive is the first and unique car constructor since Ferrari in 1998 to have won the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans the same year and the only French car constructor to have won the 24 Hours of Daytona. Ligier Automotive offers a large range of sports prototypes (Ligier JS P4, Ligier JS P3, Ligier JS P320, Ligier JS P2, Ligier JS P217, Ligier Nissan DPi), single-seaters (Ligier JS F3, Ligier JS F422 and Ligier JS F4) and GT with the Ligier JS2 R. Ligier Automotive is based in France (Magny-Cours, Amilly) and in the US with Ligier Automotive North America (Denver, North Carolina). Since 2014, it built around 530 racing cars. In 2021, 350 Ligier cars were in competition worldwide. In 2021, Ligier became the first LMP3 constructor to win the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans with the Ligier JS P320.
About Formula Regional Americas Championship & Formula 4 United States Championship, Powered by Honda:The FIA-certified Formula 4 United States Championship & Formula Regional Americas Championship are designed as entry-level open-wheel racing series offering young talent the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on an international platform while keeping affordability and safety as key elements. The Championships align with the global FIA development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success.
