Segal, Lu Confirmed in TR3-Run Ferrari for SprintX

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Former Le Mans class winner Jeff Segal and Ferrari Challenge veteran Wei Lu will contest the Pirelli World Challenge SprintX season, driving the No. 31 Ferrari of Vancouver Ferrari 488 GT3 in the Pro-Am class.

The entry, to be run by TR3 Racing, will mark the British Columbia dealer’s foray into professional racing.

“This is a new series for both of us, so there are lots of unknowns ahead,” said Segal. “We did some testing in the off seasons and Wei was really impressed with how he adapted to the GT3 car right away.

“Of course, we expect the level of competition to be very high, but that isn’t necessarily a huge change from the series that Wei or I have experienced previously. I’m very excited for us to get the season started this weekend in Austin.”

While Pirelli World Challenge is a new series for Segal, he has made his mark in international sports car racing in Ferraris with victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

He is also a two-time GRAND-AM champion, with one of those championships also coming at the wheel of a Ferrari.

Lu’s path to SprintX has been through the Ferrari Challenge North America series where Segal has been his driver coach for three seasons.

Lu, who began club racing in 2013, has also competed in PWC’s Touring Car B-Spec class and now arrives to the GT class after spending four seasons in Ferrari Challenge.

In the 2017 Ferrari Challenge season, Lu scored five victories and seven pole positions on his way to finishing second in the championship.

“I learned many valuable lessons and had a great time racing in Ferrari Challenge, but it was time for a new challenge and fortunately Pirelli World Challenge has the SprintX class,” said Lu.

“When I first tested the Ferrari 488 GT3 I found the connection between it and the Challenge car and felt quite comfortable. I’m excited to be in the same car with Jeff, because it is a great learning opportunity and a perfect way to bring myself to the next level.”

The SprintX season kicks off next weekend at Circuit of The Americas.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John