Rafael Sperafico was born in Toledo, Brazil. After initially considering a career in soccer Rafael decided to try his hand at motor racing. From a wealthy family, he had the means to participate, he also had a strong family connection with the sport as he was a cousin of twins Ricardo and Rodrigo Sperafico as well as Alexandre Sperafico.

He started racing in North America in the Barber Dodge Pro Series in 2000. He continued in the series and, in 2002, finished second behind A.J. Allmendinger.

For 2003 he graduated to Euro F3000 alongside his cousins. But after a disappointing season where he only scored two points, his career seemed to be stalled and he withdrew from racing to continue his studies.

He returned to the tracks in 2006 in the Renault Clio Super Cup in Brazil before moving to the Brazilian Stock Car Light Championship in 2007. This series features space-frame chassis under lightweight production style body-shells.

Tragically on Sunday 9th December racing at Interlagos his FTS Competicoes car ran wide exiting the Curva do Cafe, the second of the fast left-handers on the way back to the pits. The car bounced off the tyre barriers back into the path of the oncoming cars. Rafael was then hit broadside by the ATW Racing car of Renato Russo, who had no way to avoid the impact. Sperafico died from massive head injuries. Russo also suffered head injuries and was taken to the Hospital Sao Luiz in Morumbi.