Kiwi Motorsport delivered an impressive performance this past weekend at Sonoma Raceway as the team competed in the opening round of the Formula Pro USA Western Championship. Fielding a four-car lineup, the event marked a major milestone for the team as all drivers competed in their first Formula 4 race weekend.
Leading the charge was Canadian driver Lucas Hand in the #191 machine, who delivered a flawless performance by winning both races of the weekend and immediately establishing himself as a contender in the championship.
Chloe Jade also enjoyed a successful debut in the #124 car, securing third place in the Women’s Series category in both races while continuing to build valuable experience in her first Formula 4 competition.
American driver Will Franklin in the #109 car demonstrated a strong pace throughout the event. After battling for a podium position in Race One, contact with another competitor forced him down the order, resulting in an 11th-place finish. Franklin rebounded with an exceptional drive in Race Two to cross the line in second, though a penalty related to the rolling start ultimately affected his final result.
Mauricio Robbins was behind the wheel of the #123 entry, and he also made steady progress across the weekend as he continued to adapt to Formula 4 machinery. Robbins finished tenth in Race One and improved to eighth in Race Two, gaining valuable experience with every lap.
Team owner Teena Larsen praised the effort from the entire lineup following the successful opening round.
“We are incredibly proud of how all four drivers performed this weekend,” explained Larsen. “To have every driver making their first Formula 4 race start and come away with two race wins, podium finishes, and strong learning progress across the board is fantastic. Lucas was outstanding, Chloe did a great job representing the Women’s Series, and both Will and Mauricio showed impressive pace and determination. It was a great way to begin the season.”
Kiwi Motorsport will return to Sonoma Raceway next month for the second round of the Formula Pro USA Western Championship, taking place April 23-26.
Photo Credit: Kiwi Motorsport