Young American hot shot and GTC class winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona earlier this year, Jeff Segal will once again be seen in the No.90 8Star Motorsports Ferrari 458 Italia this weekend – the American’s second race for the team after the Lone Star Le Mans event at COTA in Austin.
After having to endure an enforced break from competition from March to September, due to the last minute withdrawal of his team from its US-based series, the 29-year-old joined the AF Corse managed team for the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Texas.
We caught up with him and asked him about his first impressions of the FIA WEC.
“It’s really an honour to be racing in this series,” said Segal. “Having been in sportscar racing for the last almost ten years, I’m now in a series which represents the top level and the best of international teams, drivers and manufacturers. I’m very happy to be here for what I hope will be many races to come.
“It was a learning experience at COTA. Yes, it was a home race, but that was about the only thing which was familiar. It was nice to at least know the circuit even if the team, the car, rules and procedures were all new but we learned a lot there. Unfortunately the result wasn’t what we wanted, but it was a bit out of our hands.
“We were quick the entire time and it was great working with Paolo [Ruberti] and Gianluca [Roda]. Now I am in unfamiliar surroundings but I think the team has a good level of familiarity with the Fuji track. The rain may or may not be here, but if it is it would be just like Austin!”
Fiona Miller
