Some people seem to find their niche and comfort zone and are perfectly happy to dwell there. One such person could be our 2008 F125 Ladies Solo National Champion Suzanne Segal. Although Suzanne has achieved a lot of success in F125, I am told that Suzanne is completely out of her comfort zone on one hand and ecstatic to be pushing the limit in a kart all at the same time! Calling the Las Vegas Region SCCA home she once again added another Championship to her resume’ driving a 2002 CRG-Heron kart on Vega Yellow tires.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals?
SS: No. This was my eighth Nationals. I have attended the Nationals from 2000-2008.
RR: Is this your first National Championship?
SS: No. I have also won F125 Ladies in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
SS: I always come back from Nationals with so many good memories. I love seeing all my great autocross friends from across the country. I compete with a wonderful group of ladies in F 125 Ladies. I especially enjoy seeing Karen Craner who has been my competitor and friend for most of my years in F 125 Ladies. But my favorite memory was calling my husband after winning the Nationals. Marc was not able to come to Nationals this year and it was so good to hear the excitement in his voice when I told him I won.
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
SS: This year I was driving a kart that I borrowed from my friend, Paul Durr. Prior to Nationals, we visited the sprint track a few times so I could see how Paul’s kart handled and to tune it for Topeka. I mentally had to prepare myself to trust the new kart and to compete at Nationals without my husband being there to help me. Thanks to the support of all my friends and a great kart I was able to pull it all together.
RR: Who has most influenced you?
SS: My husband, Marc, has had the great influence on me. I met Marc at my first autocross and he has been my coach and turner ever since.
RR: Who inspires you?
SS: Other successful athletes and autocrossers.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
SS: I like to be well prepared and ready for anything that can happen. In the months leading up to Nationals, we spend most of our spare time in our garage getting the karts ready so we won’t have any mechanical surprises.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
SS: Lots of good course walks.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
SS: I don’t have the opportunity to autocross very much during the year but I am able to go to the local sprint track. I try to get use to pushing the limits at higher speeds so when I autocross it is easier to push it around the cones.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
SS: No.
RR: Describe your driving style.
SS: Smooth but fast hands.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
SS: My first autocross car was a 93 Toyota Supra. My favorite autocross car was my 1999 Mazda Miata.
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
SS: Just the minimum weight for F 125 Ladies. It used to be 350 pounds and now the minimum weight is 385 pounds. Lifting a kart with a lot of weight on it is getting tough.
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
SS: I would like to thank Paul Durr for letting me use his kart and all the preparation he did for the kart. I would also like to thank Vernon Head for his excellent on site coaching. Karen Craner for her pep talks and support. Most importantly, I would like to thank my husband Marc. Even though he was not with me at Nationals this year, he was there in spirit and helped me prepare to win.
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