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Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: 8Star Enters Ferrari For WEC
Enzo Potolicchio-owned squad to contest FIA World Endurance Championship in AF Corse-run Ferrari F458 Italia...
Enzo Potolicchio will be among the drivers for 8Star Motorsports' new venture in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (Photo: John Dagys)
The newly formed 8Star Motorsports team will take on the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2013, having confirmed Friday its entry for a GTE-Am class Ferrari F458 Italia in the eight-round global championship, which kicks off with the Six Hours of Silverstone in April.
While originally planning a LMP2 effort with team owner Enzo Potolicchio’s HPD ARX-03b, which won the class championship last year in the hands of Starworks Motorsport, the team has instead opted for the GT ranks in the form of a new partnership with AF Corse.
Former Ferrari Challenge champion Potolicchio, who won the Twelve Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA WEC LMP2 Drivers’ Trophy in his rookie season last year, will lead the driver lineup alongside AF Corse regulars Marco Cioci and Rui Aguas. The car will be painted in the colors of the Venezuelan flag.
“There are not that many drivers who have won Le Mans in multiple classes. That was one of the main reasons why we decided to go GT racing,” Potolicchio said. “The whole plan came together [at the Gulf 12 Hours] in Abu Dhabi when I was there racing for AF Corse.
“I’ve known [AF Corse team principal] Amato Ferrari for a long time and he has been very supportive of my driving. I think this is the logical next step, not only for myself, but for 8Star Motorsports.”
AF Corse, winners of last year’s GTE-Pro class championship, will provide race operations, with select 8Star crew, including former Starworks WEC team manager Brian Colangelo, also being part of the effort.
Counting the branded efforts from 8Star and the LMP2 class Oreca-Nissan for Pecom Racing, the Italian squad has five full-time entries for the WEC, including two additional Ferraris in GTE-Pro and another in GTE-Am.
“On paper, we have the best lineup in GTE-Am,” Potolicchio added. “With the continued support we’re getting from Venezuela, and now from AF Corse and Ferrari, I know we have everything we need to be successful.
“It will be great to be back in a Ferrari, and one that I know will be capable of winning races and the championship. It’s a perfect program for us and we’re looking forward to starting this new chapter.”
No word has been given on the future of Potolicchio’s LMP2 program. The Venezuelan had owned the car and equipment that took Starworks to the WEC championship in 2012.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
While originally planning a LMP2 effort with team owner Enzo Potolicchio’s HPD ARX-03b, which won the class championship last year in the hands of Starworks Motorsport, the team has instead opted for the GT ranks in the form of a new partnership with AF Corse.
Former Ferrari Challenge champion Potolicchio, who won the Twelve Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA WEC LMP2 Drivers’ Trophy in his rookie season last year, will lead the driver lineup alongside AF Corse regulars Marco Cioci and Rui Aguas. The car will be painted in the colors of the Venezuelan flag.
“There are not that many drivers who have won Le Mans in multiple classes. That was one of the main reasons why we decided to go GT racing,” Potolicchio said. “The whole plan came together [at the Gulf 12 Hours] in Abu Dhabi when I was there racing for AF Corse.
“I’ve known [AF Corse team principal] Amato Ferrari for a long time and he has been very supportive of my driving. I think this is the logical next step, not only for myself, but for 8Star Motorsports.”
AF Corse, winners of last year’s GTE-Pro class championship, will provide race operations, with select 8Star crew, including former Starworks WEC team manager Brian Colangelo, also being part of the effort.
Counting the branded efforts from 8Star and the LMP2 class Oreca-Nissan for Pecom Racing, the Italian squad has five full-time entries for the WEC, including two additional Ferraris in GTE-Pro and another in GTE-Am.
“On paper, we have the best lineup in GTE-Am,” Potolicchio added. “With the continued support we’re getting from Venezuela, and now from AF Corse and Ferrari, I know we have everything we need to be successful.
“It will be great to be back in a Ferrari, and one that I know will be capable of winning races and the championship. It’s a perfect program for us and we’re looking forward to starting this new chapter.”
No word has been given on the future of Potolicchio’s LMP2 program. The Venezuelan had owned the car and equipment that took Starworks to the WEC championship in 2012.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
FIA WEC Six Hours of Spa
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