A Succession of Podiums Brought Chris Carel a Third (3rd) Place Overall Title in the Coppa Shell North America Series in Just His Second Year of Competition
LOS ANGELES, December 13, 2018 (Newswire.com) – The 2018 Ferrari Challenge season proved to be exceptionally successful for Fast Toys Exotic Car Club CEO, Owner and Driver, Chris Carel.
Beginning in Daytona on January 26 and 27, the weekend was the first time that Carel drove the new Fast Toys Ferrari 488 Challenge race car. The Ferrari 488 Challenge Race Car is faster with more downforce when compared to last season’s Ferrari 458 Challenge Evo. Clearly, Carel enjoyed the new ride. After qualifying third for both races, Chris drove relentlessly during the two races and managed a second place finish in his Class (Coppa Shell) for Race No. 1, and a third place finish in class for Race No. 2. In his first drive in the new Ferrari, 2018 began with two back-to-back podiums during the weekend of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The Season would prove to be a ground-breaking experience for Carel. Next, at Laguna Seca, Chris raced to a fourth place finish in Race No. 1, and second place in Race No. 2. In Montreal a fourth place Race No. 1 and DNF in Race No. 2 with an unforced error in the form of a Crash at the start.
At Watkins Glen, Race No. 1 resulted in a third place Podium, and Race No. 2 was equally as exciting with an identical third place finish. At Road Atlanta, Carel raced to third place in both Race No. 1 and Race No. 2.
Traveling internationally for the World Final at Monza, Italy brought its own challenges, but Carel was undeterred with a Race No. 1 third place, and Race No. 2 third place result. In the World Final, Chris placed 12th.
The succession of Podiums brought Chris a Third Place Overall title in the Coppa Shell North America Series. In just his second year of competition, Carel raced with the best of the best and proved to rise to the top of the field.
Chris says, “After the First Season, I was so close to getting on the podium. In this, my second year racing, I was very happy to be on the podium two times in Daytona, and I was thrilled to have consistent Podium Finishes throughout the season.” Carel concludes, “Capturing the Third Place Overall in the Coppa Shell Series was a huge highlight in my racing career.”
With an amazing total of nine podium finishes in 2018, the season was a memorable one for Chris Carel. Chris raced in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill to conclude what has been a Season of firsts in 2018.
In 2019 Chris will race the Ferrari Challenge at Sebring and Indianapolis. As Chris is not participating in the full schedule, his Ferrari 488 will be available for rent for other Drivers during the remaining rounds of the Ferrari Challenge in America.
Ferrari Challenge North America for 2019: The North American series will start at the Circuit of the Americas in March (8-10) and continue on the legendary Sebring track from 5 to 7 April. The third round will take place at Laguna Seca during the Ferrari Racing Days in North America (10-12 May). The meeting in June (7-9) will be combined with the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix, while round five will bring the championship to one of the most famous circuits in the world, Indianapolis (26-28 July). The last round before the Finali Mondiali will be at Homestead from 6 to 8 September.
