Sportscars: Kay van Perlo named Porsche North America’s driver of choice

Sportscars: Kay van Perlo named Porsche North America’s driver of choice

Kay von Berlo has been selected as the ‘Driver of Choice’ by Porsche North America

Kay van Perlo, who drives the entire North American IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, has been selected as the driver of choice by Porsche North America, meaning he can count on special support from the American Porsche organization. After two successful years in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America presented by the Cayman Islands, Van Perlo will drive the new 911 GT3 R from Kelleymos this year with the relay team in the GTD class of the IMSA Championship, which starts next weekend with Rolex. 24 at Daytona.

Text: Rene de Boer (Twitter: @renedeboer)
Photo: Porsche

In addition to Van Berlow, Trenton Estep, the Brabant driver’s main rival in the North American Porsche Cup for the past two seasons, is also the selected driver for Porsche North America. Both can count on American ex-Porsche factory driver Patrick Lang to support and finance their campaign for the upcoming season.

“It’s a great way to participate in the Porsche Select program in America,” says van Perlo in response to AUTOSPORT.NL. “It’s one of the few Carrera Cups where they have a program like this outside of the junior program. Of course I participated in the ‘Shoot Out’ twice (for the factory-backed junior driver position, ed.), where I finished. Both times I didn’t win. Now it’s like It’s a great way to be able to continue in a program. It’s always been a dream of mine to move up the Porsche family and up the Porsche pyramid. After three years in the Carrera Cup, one year in Germany and two years in America, I think it’s the right time to take the next step. To do this with the support of Porsche is great. Good! It’s only a one-year deal, but I hope to do well this year and build on it.”