QUICK ON-TRACK DECISIONS PAY-OFF FOR NEWEST F4 U.S. WINNER
James Goughary Jr. wins first Formula 4 U.S. Championship race

MILLVILLE, NEW JERSEY (August 27, 2016) – A new Formula 4 United States Powered by Honda victor emerged Saturday as James Goughary Jr. of Jupiter, Florida, won Race 1 at New Jersey Motorsports Park after lap 1 commotion tangled most of the young field.

Jackie Ding of Shenzen, China, was in position two when his rear swung out from behind him, spinning him in the middle of the track’s apex. As most of the field tried to dodge contact by going wide of the incident, Goughary used his 30 years of racing experience to his advantage by taking the inside of the turn to avoid traffic and contact.

Fellow Primus teammate Kyle Kirkwood of Jupiter, Florida, followed suit and the duo quickly took first and second place positions. The two would hold their standings until the checkered flag was thrown.

“Once the guys took that little bobble on the first lap, I saw a hole in the bottom and just took it,” Goughary said. “I got a big gap right away and was able to maintain that. It was by no means easy. All these guys are very talented. I could finally breathe once I crossed that finish line.”

Raphael Forcier of Montreal went from starting the race in last place to earning a third-place podium spot. Forcier qualified 12th but during Thursday’s practice session, Forcier blew a motor. A 10-grid penalty for three races is issued to competitors who change motors during race weekend. This pushed Forcier’s grid position to last.

“I like starting last,” Forcier said. “It takes away all the pressure, and I can just focus on the race. In this case it was advantageous for me to start in the back since I avoided the accident. Tomorrow I start in the same place. Hopefully, it works in my favor again.

Pole starter Cameron Das of Brooklandville, Maryland, was involved in the early incident. No contact was made but the on-track mishap shuffled Das to the back of the field. Das chipped his way back to finish the race fifth. Das set the fastest lap time of the race and will start on the pole again in Race 2 tomorrow.

Ding made another error late in the race causing him to go off track. Debris collected from the off-track excursion blocked air intake causing him to blow his motor. His team will work over night to replace the Honda engine. Ding will serve a 10-grid penalty for changing his motor during race weekend and start Race 2 in 14th place.

During qualifications, a faulty transponder from F4 U.S. newcomer Quinlin Lall of Ringwood, New Jersey did not record lap times causing Lall to start 15th on the grid. Lall will start 11th in Race 2.