After missing out on his GTC SupaCup debut in December, Paul Luti is looking forward to his first full season in the series.
Residing in Scotland, Luti will join the GTC SupaCup grid in 2022. ‘I’ve always wanted to join a premier championship, and now thanks to Danie Van Niekerk and his team at Van Niekerk racing, this is possible” says Luti. “Danie ‘twisted my arm’ and convinced me to buy a car, which means we can team up and work together. His team, headed up by Ernest Roos, will be running and looking after my car, which I’m very pleased about because I know how much attention to detail goes into their car set up.”
Paul will be flying in for each event, thereby becoming the first internationally-based competitor to commit for a full season. “It may seem a bit odd to fly from Scotland for each race meeting, but it can take me the same length of time to drive my truck down to circuits like Brand Hatch and Thruxton in the UK, and the fuel cost in the truck is the same as a plane ticket!”
Paul started out competing in motorcycle trials before making the move to saloon car racing in 2003. “I fell ill when I was 18 and had to give up the motorbikes. Not gonna lie, I was gutted. However, I had open-heart surgery to replace a heart valve and after a full recovery, I began playing in cars instead. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise?’
With numerous wins under his belt in various championships and a prestigious win at Spa-Francorchamps in a 24-hour race, Paul will be a driver to watch this season. But he remains realistic about his chances ahead of this new adventure. ‘I have to be realistic. I’ve only been to one of the tracks we race on this year and I’ve not even sat in the car yet, so if I can make the podium I’ll be very happy.’
Issued by Paul Luti
