Shift Up Now Athlete Hannah Greenemeier earned three points-scoring finishes (P7, P6, P9, respectively), driving for Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport in the F4 United States Championship powered by Honda at VIRginia International Raceway on October 6-8, 2023.
After a breakthrough weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park and an eight-week break in the F4US schedule, Greenemeier was anxious to get on track.
Without prior experience driving at VIR, the Parker, Colorado native made an impression by putting herself in the top ten during both the first test session and first practice of the weekend. In qualifying, a shifting issue forced her to settle for starting position on the outside of row eight for the first race.
Following qualifying, the Kiwi Motorsports team went to work on the No. 74 Crosslink car, changing out any parts that could’ve caused the gearbox issue.
Saturday morning dawned grey and wet for race one. In slick and difficult track conditions throughout the eight-lap race, Greenemeier kept the car out of trouble and advanced forward.
Despite full-course cautions interfering heavily with green-flag track time, she made the most of her opportunities. She was running P7 and earned her best finish of the season to date when a final safety car came out. In addition, she set the 12th-fastest lap of the race, placing her P12 on the starting grid for race two later in the day.
By Saturday afternoon, the weather had changed drastically, and the F4US field lined up on a dry track under sunny skies for the 12-lap race.
Greenemeier made a good getaway from the grid, but was shuffled backward a couple of spots as she worked to stay out of trouble at the first turn. Once the field settled, she began her march forward again on the 3.27-mile, 17-turn racetrack.
She was back inside the top ten when the field went full-course caution, then gained two more spots at the restart with just one lap to go. When the checkered flag fell, Greenemeier was P8. However, two post-race penalties were assessed to competitors for avoidable contact, promoting her to P6, besting her highest finish of the season from the race before.
Sunday morning brought cooler and breezy conditions for the final race of the weekend. Greenemeier started P12 again for the 14-lap competition.
After a good start, she was headed into turn three on the first lap when a car in front of her spun. She was able to avoid being collected and advanced into the top ten. On lap five, she attempted a pass in turn one, but her speed caused her to spin, sending her off the course.
She dropped to P18 but the car didn’t suffer any damage. Undeterred, Greenemeier started her charge forward. Over the next ten laps, she was able to pass in every major breaking zone and moved back inside the top ten.
When a full-course caution came out, it became clear the race would end under caution. After penalties were assessed to competitors once again, Greenemeier’s finish earned her a P9, marking the fourth consecutive race in which she’s earned championship points.
“I am very happy with the progress we made this weekend at VIR,” said Greenemeier. "Although qualifying didn’t go how I had hoped, my team and I put our heads down and got to work in the races. I’m happy to come away with three top-ten finishes this weekend and I’m looking forward to COTA next month.
“I want to thank everyone involved with Kiwi / Crosslink Motorsports for their help. Especially Teena, Gary, Ryan, Icarus and Tyler. Also, thank you to my parents, and Bonnier and Beeny, for all their support.”
Greenemeier’s next race will be the season finale of the F4 United States season, taking place at Circuit of the Americas on November 3-5, 2023.
