Perez set to compete in double Porsche campaign
Seb Perez, Chesterfield’s 19 year old race ace is set to mount a double competitive motorsport campaign for this season. 2019 will see him back at the wheel for his second year running in his Team Amigos Porsche 911 GT3 in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship. He will also drive a 1977 Porsche 911 rally car in European stage rallies.
Thanks to his impressive on-track success last season, Perez will make the leap into the Pro category of the ultra-competitive Carrera Cup GB and will be joined once again by Nottinghamshire team mate George Gamble who will drive the sister Amigos Racing supercar.
Perez will compliment his Carrera Cup outings competing on selected stage rallies in Europe, driving a 2700cc historic specification Porsche 911.
The Chesterfield driver kick-started his rallying season last weekend (23 February) at Rally Sol de Ponet in Mallorca with co-driver Gary McElhinney alongside, scooping a fastest stage time in the classic machine on his way to taking a giant-killing fourth overall.
Perez is no stranger to rallying and following in his Father Steve Perez’s footsteps said “I actually came here last year in a Ford Escort Mk2 and finished 11th overall so the aim was always to beat that, and in this machine (the Porsche 911) it was a challenge I was well up for” he said after the event.
“It was a great rally and I`m looking forward to getting out to Europe and doing as many as I can when my Carrera Cup calendar allows”.
Perez is one of the Country’s best racing drivers, he has enjoyed a consistent rise to the top in his racing career after switching from stage rallying in 2014 to the Ginetta Junior Winter Series, followed by a full assault on the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship for the next two years which ran alongside the British Touring Car Championship.
Following the natural ladder of progression, he embarked on a campaign in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup with his still current Team mate George Gamble before a move in to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB last season.
2018 was his best season yet with Porsche, he overcame a difficult start to the year to take six ProAm victories from the 16 rounds of the GB series with many double-header victories along the way.
“I really enjoyed last season in the Carrera Cup, and it was certainly the best of my racing career,” said Perez.
“It was a shaky start and I think I ended race one at Brands in the gravel but like everything you learn by your mistakes and keep fighting. I suffered a little with the qualifying pace last season so want to see if I can sort that out this year but having the knowledge and data of a year under my belt will certainly help. It certainly won’t be easy though, it’s mega close racing out there so I`ll need to be on top form to get near the podiums”.
Perez is ready for the step into the Pro category with a new team, Stockton On Tees based Redline Racing, Porsche race and rally car specialists and have a proven track record in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.
Having a year of the potent GT3 race car under his belt, Perez is realistic about his chances this season and looks forward the contrast between his modern specification 911 GT3 race car and his 40-year-old rally version in Team Amigos livery as well.
“Some of the guys in the Carrera Cup have been doing it for years and still trying to find that elusive tenth of a second here and there,” he commented
“There will be some big challenges this season so I think if I can get a podium or two I`ll be very happy. It’s looking like another ultra-competitive line up in the championship so that’s not going to be easy but that’s to be expected. It’s great to have the support of Amigos once again this year, Redline Racing my new team and having George as a teammate will help. It should be a good season”.
“Whilst I made the switch to the circuits a few years ago, I’ve been fortunate enough to compete in several stage events as well but taking the Porsche out last weekend for the first time was a fantastic experience.”
“It’s a great opportunity to compete in two iconic machines this season and I can’t wait to kick start the Carrera Cup in April. If I can get fourth place like in Mallorca in the 911, I`ll be happy with that!”.
The Amigos backed Carrera Cup team will be officially unveiled at the annual media day and the first test of the year at Silverstone on 18 March, whilst Perez will also contest Rally Classico Almira Capital – Puerto Portals in just over a week’s time, back in Mallorca.
The Championship of 16 rounds are ran over 8 championship race weekends The action starts at Brands Hatch 6th to 7th April, followed by the local round at Donington Park on 27th and 28th April.
As usual the Championship will be part of the support racing to the KwikFit British Touring Car Championship and televised live on ITV4.
Side image and editorial courtesy of Paul Horton Motorsport Photography.
Seb Perez in action on last weekend’s Rally Sol de Ponet in Mallorca. Image Credit: Carlos Moya Foto Art
