Racing for LIFE

If you were a car-crazy kid in the late 70s and early 80s, you were probably awestruck at the sight of a Ford Escort RS2000 cruising down the Metro’s still traffic- and billboard-free streets. Especially if said RS was sporting its signature screaming yellow paint job. This fiberglass-clad beauty was, after all, the tarmac-ripper, dirt road-scorcher rally car champ of its time, winning races everywhere in the world. Seeing one pass by through the windows of the family sedan was definitely a treat.

And for that, we have the late racing great Arthur Tuason to thank for. You see, Tuason, through his A.T. Auto Development shop, brought and sold the RS2000 in the country. The fact that Tuason also gave us some serious racing action to enjoy–for two decades, at that–only makes the man more important. And since his death due to leukemia in 1996, sorely missed as well.

Good thing, son JP, who’s now also a racer in his own right, would not let Arthur’s name be missed that much. JP, through the Tuason Racing Project, has established the Arthur Tuason Memorial Cup (ATMC), running the annual race event since 2000. Basically a tune-up race geared toward novices who have attended the karting clinics held by the Tuason Racing Project group, the event also gives the novices a taste of real kart racing action at a more affordable cost.

However, the more significant point is that for the three years the ATMC has been held, the proceeds have always gone to the Leukemic Indigent Fund Endowment (LIFE). A foundation servicing the needs of less privileged children stricken with leukemia, LIFE offers much-needed financial assistance for medical treatment, which can reach more than P300,000 per child. A favorable result from the treatment is not guaranteed though, so LIFE also organizes events that aims to lift the spirits of afflicted children. LIFE is headed by Dr. Allendry Cavilles, who was Arthur’s physician.

This year, the Tuason Racing Project and the Manila Jaycees, through the ATMC, have raised P100,000, which together with some food products, will be donated to LIFE.

Meanwhile, this year’s ATMC was ruled by a young lady racer. Pia Boren of Edgesport topped the Bridgestone Novice Cup followed by newcomer Oliver Martinez of Intelco Racing, who timed in the fastest lap on the third and final heat. Martinez took the lead at the start of the third heat but Boren was able to catch him after a few laps. On the second to the last turn of the last lap, Martinez almost took the checkered flag when they encountered some back markers. Boren maintained the lead going to the flag though.

On the Red Horse Expert Cup, 15-year old Indy Villalon of Birel Racing emerged victorious against upper classmen Arvin Drueco and last year’s Red Horse Expert Champion Jeremy Marquez, who came in second and third respectively. Paco Rodriguez from Cebu topped the Alaska Fresh Cadet 60 Division. Finishing second is Michael Apacible followed by Emil Cuyugan in third.

Sponsors Standard Insurance, Hanjin Shipping, Kart Plaza, Alaska Fresh, Drive Concept Wheels, Red Horse Beer, Trapik.com, Bridgestone Tyres, Ambi Pur, Racegear Pitshop, BabyFlo, Options Unlimited and Oakley have also made the ATMC possible.