About the Ligier Junior Formula Championship:
Step one on Racing America’s Open-Wheel Ladder is the Ligier Junior Formula Championship (Ligier JFC). Providing young karters with an opportunity to develop their skills and learn the basics while competing on the most cost-efficient ladder system with the lowest cost per mile in North America, drivers from around the world turn to Ligier JFC to begin their single-seater careers.
Sanctioned by Racing America, Ligier JFC is comprised of two classes — the JFC Gen. 1 class and the JFC Gen. 2 class. Winners in each class are recognized every weekend with separate podium celebrations, and the year-end champions in both classes are awarded separate scholarship prizes to advance to F4 U.S. competition the following season.
The JFC Gen. 1 class utilizes the first-generation Ligier JS F4 chassis and Honda engines serviced and engineered by Mountune USA. Meanwhile, the JFC Gen. 2 class utilizes the second-generation Ligier JS F4 chassis and Ligier Storm engine, equipped with an alternate ECU to ensure parity with the earlier version. Both classes utilize Hankook racing tires.
One of the most exciting aspects of Ligier JFC is the opportunity it provides both champions—a full scholarship to compete in the FIA-certified Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) the following season. The JFC Gen. 1 class champion will be awarded a one-year lease of a Ligier JS F422 chassis and Ligier Storm engine to be used in F4 U.S. in 2027. In addition, the JFC Gen. 2 class champion will be awarded a one-year lease of a Ligier JS F422 chassis and Ligier Storm engine to compete in F4 U.S. in 2027. If they already own their car, they’ll receive the equivalent value of the lease in a Ligier parts credit for F4 U.S. the following year, as well as the required upgrade parts. Both champions will also receive event tires from Hankook Motorsports USA and race entry fees from Racing America, providing championship-winning drivers with nearly everything they need to successfully take the next step in their career. Similar scholarship opportunities exist for the F4 U.S. champion to aid in their climb to the FIA-certified Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas).
2025 Championship Overview & Buyer’s Guide:
Click the image below to view the 2025 Ligier JFC Championship Overview & Buyer’s Guide.
Download Link: 2025 Ligier JFC Championship Overview & Buyer’s Guide
2026 Scholarship & Prizes:
Ligier JFC Gen. 1 Class:
Event Prizes & Awards:
- Race Payouts
- The top-three finishing drivers in the Ligier JFC Gen. 1 Class will be eligible for prize money:
- 1st: $500
- 2nd: $200
- 3rd: $100
- The top-three finishing drivers in the Ligier JFC Gen. 1 Class will be eligible for prize money:
- Event Awards
- Omologato One To Watch Award (one award per weekend, presented overall for Ligier JFC)
Year-End Awards:
- 2026 Driver Champion
- 2027 F4 U.S. Scholarship* for the championship-winning driver from Ligier Automotive, Hankook Motorsports and Racing America, including:
- 2027 Season Lease of a Ligier JS F422 Chassis & Ligier Storm Engine from Ligier Automotive
- Two (2) Sets of Tires Per Event from Hankook Motorsports
- Race Entry Fees from Racing America
- Bespoke Omologato Timepiece
- 2027 F4 U.S. Scholarship* for the championship-winning driver from Ligier Automotive, Hankook Motorsports and Racing America, including:
- Additional Prizes
- Ligier Automotive Most-Improved Driver Award
- $500 credit with Ligier Automotive
- Omologato One to Watch Award
- Bespoke Omologato Timepiece
- Ligier Automotive Most-Improved Driver Award
Ligier JFC Gen. 2 Class:
Event Prizes & Awards:
- Race Payouts
- The top-three finishing drivers in the Ligier JFC Gen. 2 Class will be eligible for prize money:
- 1st: $500
- 2nd: $200
- 3rd: $100
- The top-three finishing drivers in the Ligier JFC Gen. 2 Class will be eligible for prize money:
- Event Awards
- Omologato One To Watch Award (one award per weekend, presented overall for Ligier JFC)
Year-End Awards:
- 2026 Driver Champion
- 2027 F4 U.S. Scholarship* for the championship-winning driver from Ligier Automotive, Hankook Motorsports and Racing America, including:
- 2027 Season Lease of a Ligier JS F422 Chassis & Ligier Storm Engine from Ligier Automotive**
- Two (2) Sets of Tires Per Event from Hankook Motorsports
- Race Entry Fees from Racing America
- Bespoke Omologato Timepiece
- 2027 F4 U.S. Scholarship* for the championship-winning driver from Ligier Automotive, Hankook Motorsports and Racing America, including:
- Additional Prizes
- Ligier Automotive Most-Improved Driver Award
- $500 credit with Ligier Automotive
- Omologato One to Watch Award
- Bespoke Omologato Timepiece
- Ligier Automotive Most-Improved Driver Award
* Scholarship prize is available to championship-winning driver only. Winner must have a signed contract to compete in the full 2027 season no later than December 31, 2026 to receive the scholarship.
** If the Ligier JFC Gen. 2 Champion already owns a Ligier JS F422 car, they will receive the equivalent value of the lease in a Ligier parts credit for F4 U.S. the following season, as well as the required upgrade parts to make their car eligible for F4 U.S. competition.
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