Jessica Amendola, the first Italian female driver to compete in EuroNASCAR, gives an exclusive insight at how her historic debut in 2013 came to reality.
Hundreds of drivers around the world have competed in the NASCAR Euro Series ever since the inauguration of EuroNASCAR as an official NASCAR sanctioned championship in 2012.
Some have gone on to achieve a long-term career with plenty of success, while others only became a footnote because they entered in one-off attempts.
However, there’s always stories to be told even with the one-off competitors. For Jessica Amendola, the story that she had was very special.
Amendola only made a single appearance in the 2013 round at Monza, the only time EuroNASCAR has visited the “Temple of Speed”.
However, by doing so she became the first Italian female driver to compete in the championship. Therefore, she paved the way for drivers such as Arianna Casoli and Luli del Castello to achieve bigger successes in the sport.
Amendola also became the first Italian female driver to ever test an EuroNASCAR car when she did so in a test at France earlier in 2013. Fittingly, the date of her test happens to be 8 March: The date recognized as the International Women’s Day.
Even though her outing is just a one-off, Amendola still fondly remembers her EuroNASCAR appearance. For Amendola, it wasn’t about the result, it’s about the journey that made her EuroNASCAR outing so special.
Twelve years after her historic test, Amendola has kindly given us the opportunity to interview her as we took a trip to the memory lane at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that EuroNASCAR provides.
Prior to the test, have you learned about EuroNASCAR beforehand or is it the test your first time hearing about the series?
Jessica Amendola: “I’m fond of Mustang’s, I own one with a 5.0 V8 motor. I always followed American NASCAR and I have always dreamed of making these races.”
“When I heard that I could do NASCAR races with the Mustang in Italy, I looked for a racing team to make a test.”
So you have heard of NASCAR and have an interest in the sport, which is amazing to hear! Does that mean that when you heard NASCAR plans to have a race in Italy, you’re the one to make the approach to teams such as FTF Competizioni and Green Goblin Motorsport Management to help organize a test session for you?
JA: “Yes, I did a test in France at the circuit Des Ecuyers north east of Paris. I remember it was raining, but I love driving in the wet. They told me to go slowly that it rained, but I did not go slowly!”
You definitely showed your enthusiasm by driving fast from the start! What was the mentor’s reaction when they found out about that? Were they impressed that you have the confidence to go fast immediately?
JA: “They were all very enthusiastic, without fear of me driving their race car. Immediately after my test, they said ‘She drives like a man!’”
I imagine this meant the test went as smoothly as reports said, or was there any problem that you remember having during the test?
JA: There was no problem and everyone was happy! I immediately liked the car, it was love at first sight.”
“The smell of gasoline is an enrapturing scent, and that sound of the engine was music for the ears. After the test, I said to them, ‘Where and when is the race?’”
Ah, so the idea for you to participate in the race at Monza came immediately during the test?
JA: Of course, it’s immediate! I would like to do other races not just in EuroNASCAR, but also in America.”
“I contacted some American teams but they didn’t answer. I’ve heard of Max Papis and he did races in America.”
Didn’t know you’re also interested to try out NASCAR in America as well! Given that you mentioned Max Papis, did you approach him to see if he can help you to get some opportunities in the United States? Or is it just because you knew that he raced in America at the time?
JA: “No, I didn’t have his contact. I knew him already in Italy, then I saw him again in Monza at the EuroNASCAR race. But, I just said goodbye to him.”
I see, I wasn’t sure how to understand Papis’ involvement with your desire to race in America, so thanks for clearing it up!
Back to the Monza event, you got the chance to race with T-Engineering. How hard is the process that you have to get through to secure a ride with them for the race?
JA: “I asked them if they had a car available because I wanted to race, and I was lucky enough to share the race with other drivers in the same car.”
“Of course I paid for my race and I was well accepted by the team and all the other drivers. However, I was the first Italian woman, so they were all happy.”
On the topic of sharing with other drivers, you were sharing the ride in OPEN with Giam Paolo Tenchini. Why did that take place?
I’m fascinated to learn more about this because even to this day, it is still an unusual arrangement to have two drivers share a car in the same division during the same round.
JA: I know Tenchini and I was happy to share the car with him. It was required by the regulation to enter separate races if there’s more than one driver for one car.
“Unfortunately, I was the last to drive and the car was damaged. However, I managed to finish the race. I have photos where you can see the body of the side of the car that rises like a bird’s wing!”
How hard is the work that the T-Engineering team did to get the car working for your race on Sunday?
JA: “The team is very well trained and fast. They are true professionals.”
They certainly are! How well do you communicate with the other team members during the Monza round?
JA: “I met many teams and drivers, they’re all very helpful. Even on the track my opponents were very nice!”
“Some of them knew that I was a woman, because in the races there is our surname on the window.”
That’s great that they treated you fairly, both on and off the track! Speaking of on track action, what’s the best on track battle that you have during the race?
JA: “It was raining in Monza when I made the race. While it was raining, I passed many drivers despite using slicks!”
You’re brave to use slicks in the wet! Did the track dry out quick enough for the slicks to be worthwhile?
JA: “For me, it’s the same whether it’s wet or dry. The race went well until the end. It was very exciting!”
What happened at the end of the race? Did an issue occur with the car?
JA: “Unfortunately the car was damaged and the steering wheel did not go straight.”
Do you wish that you were able to race the car in both races, or are you okay with the one race arrangement that you had?
JA: “I could’ve had two races, but I signed up late and there was no seat available for two races.”
Ah, so by the time you signed up, Tenchini had also signed up for the ride and the sharing agreement is used to have both drivers race at the same round?
JA: “No, he decided his race and I made mine. Race 1 is for him, Race 2 for myself.”
I see. Now I want to ask about the off track activities related to the Monza event. From my searching on social media, you promoted the event on local TV’s and interviews. Was it a lot of fun to get the chance to do so?
JA: “Yes! I have always been grateful to the people who supported, sponsored and interviewed me for the event.”
“I have a great master who taught me many things, both in life and on the track. He’s Arturo Merzario and he is like my second dad.”
Good timing to bring Mr. Merzario as I saw that you were a long-time coach at his driving academy! How is he as a mentor to fellow drivers? Judging by what you said there, he must’ve taught you and others a lot in their careers
JA: “Merzario is a very wise and humble man. I worked with him, with his Ferrari 360 F1 GT3 in Merzario Academy.”
“We have a friendship even outside the track. He gave me plenty of good advices, but in the end he always said ‘have fun!’”
“Thanks to him, I became a federal instructor. Not just on the road, but also on snow and ice!”
“Several companies had hired me for track experiences with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, Jaguar, and many others. They are looking for me to work on the track for safe and fast driving.”
That’s cool to hear! It’s certainly a skill that many people would want for their coach when they started out their fast driving experience.
JA: “Yes. Many people often tell me that I do the best job in the world!”
That’s awesome! Great to hear that many said great things about your skills as a coach.
I’ll be bringing the topic back to EuroNASCAR as I have a couple of more questions to go. Looking back, Italy back then didn’t have a lot of representation in the sport.
Nowadays, the majority of competitors are Italian and Italian drivers have become the champion for the past two seasons. Plenty of Italian female drivers have also joined the sport in the years that followed, including Arianna Casoli who is a true veteran of the series. Are you proud of what your fellow Italians have achieved in the sport?
JA: “Yes, I’m very proud of my fellow drivers! I believe that many Italians dreamed of NASCAR, hence the popularity.”
“However, I’m always disappointed because there are very few women who become racing drivers.”
As a final question, what advice would you give to all the women out there who want to become a racing driver?
JA: “Do what you want and let your passion overcome many obstacles! I have a strong character and I always did everything alone. I’m very proud of my journey and I’m glad to have made my passion into a job.”
“Unfortunately, Italy is not a country prepared for more female drivers. Italian men still have too many prejudices for females wanting to make a career in motorsport.”
“I saw that even Ferrari took foreign girls and not Italian ones. It’s a decision that I do not agree with. I think it will never change.”
Disclaimer: Credits for all photos are listed underneath each image.