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SA's David Perel driver lands Ferrari race seat

Cape Town - David Perel started racing professionally at the tender age of 15 for the Western Province Karting Championship, and by the age of 23 he had won five Provincial and National Championship titles.

At the age of 24 Perel progressed to racing single-seater vehicles. However, midway through that season he was forced to stop racing due to a lack of funding; a common occurrence in the world of racing.

Making it happen

Unable to find a solution, Perel turned his attention to a web company he had co-founded with his brother in their teens called Obox. His main intention was to save as much money as he could in order to make a racing comeback in his later years.

Twenty hour days, seven days a week and five years later Perel had saved up enough for one more GT (gran turismo) race; one last chance at making his dream come true.

READ: Proudly SA - World champ Brad Binder finishes Moto3 career in style

He went for it and did so well that he was offered the opportunity to drive the 2015 season with Lamborghini Bonaldi Motorsport in the Italian GT Championship.

The end result was an incredibly successful season which netted him second place in the championship and included more wins, pole positions and fastest laps than any other driver in his field. For 2016 Perel has signed with Kessel Ferrari; representing the team in the Blancpain GT Endurance Series.

Looking at the upcoming season Perel said: “I have a contract with Kessel Ferrari for 2017 and I'm hoping to race in the Blancpain GT3 Series again next year. It truly is the pinnacle of GT3 racing with the best drivers in the world on the grid (including Le Mans, F1 and DTM drivers). Can't wait!”

READ: Audi Sport TT Cup - Great debut season for SA's Sheldon van der Linde

It has always been Perel’s dream to compete in the series, but little did he know that it would happen in only his second year of GT Racing. A true testament that dreams can come true.

David Perel career highlights

  • 2000 started racing
  • 2007 South African Champion
  • 2007 6th Rotax Max World Finals
  • 2015 2nd Italian GT Championship

2015 Italian Championship achievements

  • Vice Champion
  • 10 events (20 races)
  • 9 front row starts
  • 9 podiums
  • 7 wins
  • 5 fastest laps
  • 3 pole positions

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