He finished 6th in the Brazilian Formula Chevrolet Championship, and then in 1994, came fifth in the Brazilian Formula Three Championship.
This enthusiasm for the sport was only increased after meeting Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna.
Brazilian Formula One racing star Senna was killed four weeks ago in a crash at Imola.
He returned to his homeland to race in Brazilian Formula Three in 1994 and 1995.
"Speed is in the blood of most Brazilians," he said, noting that Brazilian Formula I race car drivers Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet are friends of his.
Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa had a black stripe on top of his helmet during the 2007 European Grand Prix, to commemorate the victims.
Motorsport had not seen a death that had this magnitude of after-effects since Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna's death in 1994.
Kanaan is good friend of Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello, and they exchanged helmets for the events on May 28, 2006.
Emerson Fittipaldi (born 1941), Brazilian Formula One race car driver.
Brazilian Formula Three Championship is the name of a former Brazilian Formula Three racing competition.