Written by Lucas Perruquon
Article originally featured in the September issue of JOY! Magazine
Ever since I was a little boy, I have been passionate about cars, a love born from watching the movie Cars. At just seven years old, I would say without hesitation that I wanted to become a NASCAR driver when I grew up. Later, my grandparents took me rental karting every summer. Thanks to them, I discovered the thrilling sensation of speed and developed a taste for competition. These experiences fuelled my passion for motorsport and shaped my dream. Yet, I was constantly told that this dream was not for me, that it was impossible to achieve because I lacked the financial means and the right background. So, throughout my youth, I kept racing as a simple hobby at my grandparents’ place while turning to much more accessible sports such as football, tennis, and basketball.
A change of direction
Then, at 19, I shifted gears completely to prepare for a career in the French Army, aiming to join the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e RPIMa). Serious and determined, I was fully focused on this new goal until I attended a youth worship and prayer weekend organised by Vision 1, though I went without any real conviction. At that time, following God did not interest me. I always put it off, telling myself I would think about it “someday”. Yet I had grown up in a Christian family. I knew He existed because I had seen Him work through the miraculous healing of my aunt from multiple sclerosis, as well as the deep transformations in the lives of my brother and father. But then came the day when God touched me personally, altering the course of my life forever.
A buried dream revived
During that prayer time, as I was sitting off to the side, a man I did not know named Darius approached me and asked what my dream was. He then told me, “Do not forbid yourself from dreaming.” It was this single phrase that connected me to God. I understood at that exact moment that He was speaking to me through Darius, and his words instantly revived the dream I had buried so deep inside. However, this time, something was different. For the first time in my life, I did not want to control what would happen next. I chose to follow God and walk by faith into the destiny He had for me. So, I dared to live that dream because nothing is impossible with Jesus.
A transformed life
A few moments later, I told my mother I wanted to become a racing driver. Unsurprisingly, she began to panic inside. Right then, Darius walked up to her and said, “Don’t worry, the Father is taking care of everything.” From that point on, my mother and the rest of my family backed me fully. On my end, I started reading the Bible and walked away from my addictions. The road has not been simple – swearing, for example, is still a daily battle. But I started praying, going to church, and above all, allowing my heart to be transformed step by step. I declared with my mouth that Jesus is my Saviour, that He died on the Cross for our sins, and I received the Holy Spirit within me. My pastor baptised me on 6 May this year. Today, day after day, I am learning to deepen my relationship with Him.
An unexpected opportunity
During the summer of 2025, everything accelerated. I took part in several rental kart races, and then an unexpected opportunity came up: a test day with a professional racing team. This team quickly became my own – Team Raceberry. By the Lord’s grace, they are located just 20 minutes from my house. They store my kart and transport it to the tracks for my race weekends. This is invaluable help, something unimaginable just a few months earlier. By the end of 2025, I had competed in my first three races with my own competitive kart. I gained immense experience there: learning to fight on the track, manage pressure, deal with mistakes, and progress. Every single race was a step closer to what Jesus has planned for me.
Driving for Jesus
Finally, I had my helmet painted. It is a powerful symbol. On the sides, in bold, visible letters, it reads: Drive For Jesus.
Today, I no longer race just to win. I drive by faith, with gratitude, and with the absolute conviction that with Jesus, nothing is impossible.
Faith on the track
My name is Lucas Perruquon, I am 20 years old, and I am a competitive kart driver from Marseille, France, competing in the national championship. On the track, my project carries a strong identity that is unique in the world. Drive For Jesus is about bearing witness in a highly secular environment. Jesus helps me build myself every day, both in my identity and in my sport. Faith is not an abstract concept; it is lived out on the track as well as in adversity. The Bible is my guide, directing my attitudes, my actions, and the big decisions I have to make.
Racing for His glory
I do not pray for results, but for the strength to give it my all. My goal is not just to clock fast lap times, but to inspire people and show them where I find true happiness. The Lord called me to drive for His glory and to serve Him through my testimony. Today, I travel to the circuits like a missionary, determined to make Jesus known to as many people as possible. My ultimate goal is to become a professional driver in endurance racing and NASCAR so that I can touch as many hearts as possible across the globe. But above all, my message is to never forbid yourself from dreaming again.
This article appears in the September 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine. Read the digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 11/09/2026
Feature image: Sourced from original article published in the September issue of JOY! Magazine
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