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Hughes hurt by throttle dramas at NOLA

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 11, 2024

After starting the USF2000 PRO season on such a high, round 2 at NOLA proved to be a more challenging experience for Aussie Lochie Hughes.

Despite leading the championship after winning at St Petersburg and topping testing at NOLA, Hughes was unable to replicate his pace as dramas set him back in all three races last weekend.

The Queenslander could only manage 12th in qualifying with the Turn 3 Motorsports machine seven tenths off the pace as they “couldn’t seem to get the car working in the higher track temps.”

Hughes appeared to be on the right track charging his way up to eighth within the opening laps before a broken throttle sensor.

It was a similar story in race 2 as this time a broken throttle sensor sent the #44 into the gravel.

Although Hughes suffered more dramas in the finale, he was still able to fight his way up to 10th and salvage some points.

As a result the highly-rated rookie slipped from first to sixth in the standings as Nikita Johnson dominated.

Hughes said drama followed him throughout the weekend.

“Unfortunately it was just one of those weekends nothing seemed to go right,” Hughes told AUTO ACTION.

“We had high expectations going in because we finished the official test P1 before the season started but we struggled for pace with the higher track temps.

“Made my way up to eighth in a couple of laps then the car switched off when the throttle sensor broke so didn’t finish the race. 

“Then in race 2 the rear left push rod broke, sending me into the gravel. 

“Even in race 3 the throttle wouldn’t go down to 0 percent so would get a lot of maintenance understeer which didn’t help the pace but ended 10th.

“We will bounce back again in Indy.”

In the USF2000 Championship Quinn Armstrong showed some decent pace by taking a hat-trick of ninth place finishers to cement a solid sixth spot in the championship.

Xavier Kokai could not quite unlock the same pace he showed at St Petersburg and recorded P15, P14 and P18 finishes at NOLA.

The next time both championships are in action is at the Indianapolis Grand Prix circuit on May 9-11.

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action will be available via subscription here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

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