LapMeta Drivers Spotlight: Alessandro Sensoli
Edition #2: Alessandro Sensoli and his 2018 Mustang NASA Time Trials Car
We all have one thing in common. We’re drivers. But we all have unique stories about our experiences in motorsports and our upbringing in the track community. We thought we’d start sharing more about the people that make up the LapMeta community. “Drivers Spotlight” will be a column dedicated to sharing insights into people’s cars, mods, experiences, and personalities - with the hope of further inspiring our community to learn and connect with each other.
Meet Alessandro Sensoli, a Bay Area resident who currently owns and tracks a 2018 Mustang PP1 10-speed prepared for NASA Time Trials competition.
Alessandro grew up in Italy and moved the U.S. seven years ago. After playing professional soccer and rugby, a back injury made him explore other sports. “I needed some kind of "adrenaline kick”. So, I bought my 2018 Mustang and did my first HPDE day with it after 500 miles. I got hooked!”, he says. In 2019, he tried his hand at competition in the American Muscle Cup and won the street class. He joined NASA at the start of 2021 and made the push to go to Nationals at Daytona. He came home the National Champion in the TT2 class, an achievement he didn’t think was possible when he started the year. Moving towards 2022, the NASA Nationals now come to his neck of the woods at Laguna Seca this fall. Although he’s not sure the track favors his heavy car he will be counting on his local track knowledge to help him out compared to others.
He purchased his Mustang in 2018 and he has done some heavy modifications to it. Although the engine stock is stock it runs on E85 and currently weighs 3,850lbs.
Highlighted mods include:
Tuned by OZ Tuning
Hoosier A7 315mm Tires
"ITALIA" Custom Splitter made in house with AJ Hartman diffusers
AJ Hartman Fulcrum 14 wing
Cortext JRi coilovers
Apex forged wheels
Hood Vents by RaceLouvers
Alessandro says the weak point is currently the 10spd Transmission. He’s currently on his fourth one and has plans to upgrade to a better gearbox at some point soon to solve these reliability issues.
Alessandro is a firm believer in the driver mod being key he told us with a smile. But when asked what modification has made the most difference in his Mustang’s performance he credited his newer aerodynamic components. Specifically his homemade front splitter and his AJ Hartman rear wing. “The added downforce has really increased the confidence I have in the car and allows me to push the limits and sometimes beyond”. That’s what it takes to find speed. In order to know the limit you have to go past it sometimes.
With regards to his focus on improving as a driver, Alessandro credits Blayze Motorsport Coaching (formerly Racers360). “I use them every single time I'm on track and they are part of my annual budget forecast. I've learned a lot from them.” He’s got four favorite tracks that he looks forward to driving. “Sonoma is probably the one that I feel the most connected to. Laguna..well for the famed history. (especially related to Italians ) . Daytona based on the extreme speed. Lastly Willow Springs ..cause you need the balls to be fast haha”.
When we asked him about what he loves most about the track / racing community he said it’s amazing and reminds him of his rugby family. “No matter if you drive a Ferrari, a McLaren, or a Miata, everyone is there to have fun and respect others. I love it. The sense of belonging makes this a special group. I love the speed. I love the binomial between man and car. There is a connection that you have that makes every event special. Assuming you don't crash of course”, he says with a laugh.
Alessandro is looking forward to this Fall. “My main goal is to be able to participate at the NASA Time Trial Nationals in September at Laguna and finish in the top five”. He’s itching to try some wheel to wheel racing next year though and plans to rent a Miata to race in NASA Spec Miata. His dream is to race in a WRL endurance event.
It’s neat to hear of an Italian sports professional who moved to the U.S. and has found a new passion in motorsports. It’s obvious Alessandro is a competitor by nature but it’s also apparent how much he cares about the camaraderie of the sports he participates in. We wish him the best of luck on his quest to claim another National Championship in NASA Time Trials.
Check out his onboard video from his Mustang at Sonoma here:
https://lapmeta.com/en/lap/detail/7798