Philippine Motor Sports Reunion of Sorts

The Petron Xtra 2006 Auto Focus Automobile & Motorcycle of the Year — People’s Choice Awards Grand Display once again opened its gates to the public last Saturday, April 22 for a two-day weekend festivity at the Central Gateway of The Fort.

The opening of the motor show’s centerpiece, the much-touted photo exhibit, "Philippine Motor Sports — Legends & Heroes as presented by Michelin" chronicling the development of motor sports in the country, this time focusing on the colorful personalities who served as the movers of the sport from the late sixties to the late seventies, marked the start of the second of this three-weekend auto & motor show. Three of the most awarded motoring personalities took center stage in the exhibit, although everyone else who figured significantly in the development of Philippine motor sports was given ample space in the exhibit. The three personalities, the late Dodjie Laurel, the country’s racing living legend Pocholo Ramirez, and motor sports icon Dante Silverio, had their racing careers briefly chronicled in text in the exhibit.

Dodjie’s youngest son Juan Miguel (who was only about a year old when his Dad perished in Macau), Poch and Dante cut the ceremonial ribbon and officially opened the booth to the viewing public.

It was really a reunion of sorts for the motoring icons. Eddie Marcelo, looking fresh and remarkably youthful arrived very early and sneaked a peek at the collage of photos in the exhibit as he had to leave quite early. Eddie enjoyed a brief chat with Dante, Ramy "El Bruto" Diez and Johnny Angeles who represented the AAP, Automobile Association of the Philippines and its president Gus Lagman in the ceremonies also arrived quite early.

It was pleasant reminiscing for these guys who clearly enjoyed viewing the collage of action shots from the Greenhills Grand Prix series, the Pamplona GP, the earlier Manila Grand Prix, Dodjie’s moments of triumph at the Macau Grand Prix, and Poch’s and Dante’s various sorties in international races. Ike Borja eyed the panel dedicated to Philippine rallies and the men behind Auto Rallye Club of the Philippines as various shots of the glorious Shell Car Rally Series and other major rallies were recorded for posterity. Mr. Tony Wee who everyone remembers as the perennial Chief Timer in all the Automobile Racing Association of the Philippines (ARAP) races but was much of a Rallye competitor himself during his era, surprisingly came and regaled us with stories. It was clearly a reunion, not only of comrades back then — the exhibit was also melding of sorts for the veterans of racing and the young brilliant stars of today as exemplified by current youngest racing sensation Tyson Sy who also came that day to attend the ceremonies and view the exhibit.

This is the second year of the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards. If for nothing else, we hope that the motor show, which is considered by the local auto industry as the biggest yearly motoring event, achieves a lot in terms of raising the standards in the sector. All the leading car makes are represented in this event, and the public can readily view and discern the different "nuances" of each model, and can even test drive the models for their own evaluation of what model suits them. Having all the latest models available in the country in one compact and very accessible venue, with all the manufacturers providing adequate technical and marketing staff to explain the various attributes of all the latest models in their booths augurs well for the buying public. This heightens awareness for all the consumer concerns that need to be addressed, including safety concerns.

Next weekend, April 29 & 30 (Saturday & Sunday), the site shall again be teeming with auto enthusiasts and their families with attractions like, the Philippine Motor Sports — Legends & Heroes as presented by Michelin, a grand sale of accessories like mag wheels, body kits, car audio facilities, car care and other after market products offered by what’s now popularly known as the "after market Mafia", a display of high performance competition cars that burn rubber at the Batangas Racing Circuit, raffles of valuable prizes from the participating exhibitors every fifteen minutes and of course test drives of most of the 2006 auto and motorcycle models on display. Of course, the motoring public may also cast their vote for their favorite automobile model right at the site or go the way of the internet by logging on to www.autofocus.com or by SMS through SMART 622, GLOBE 2858 and SUN 2622. The awarding for the most popular models in each category and the most popular automobile for 2006 shall be done on May 2nd, Tuesday at the Valle Verde Country Club Ballroom. Al the major players in the local automotive industry are expected to attend together with the members of the Philippine motoring media.

The opening ceremonies of the Philippine Motor Sports — Legends and Heroes photo exhibit presented by Michelin also saw present some of the "modern-day" exponents of motor sports in the country like Raul Asunsion, Car Rallye (1979 to 2000), Danny Santiago, Rallye & Slalom (1982 to the present), Krish Acu, Rallye (1985 to 1991), Joey Lanuza, Rallye (1986 to 2000) and of course one-time National Karting Champion and current motoring journalist (motoring editor of the Business Mirror & SPMJ founding member) Popong Andolong.

You still have a chance to see these rare photographs, many never before displayed in public, and maybe finally match the face to the names that you used to read in sports pages long ago, this coming weekend, April 29 to 30 at the central Gateway at the Fort. You can also bring your children to make them better appreciate the people who were responsible for the birth and development of motor sports in the country. Of course this attraction is part of a big package referred to by the local auto industry as the biggest motoring event of the year, with raffles every 15 minutes, display of high performance competition cars, live bands, grand sale of aftermarket automotive products and test drives of the latest models of automobiles — the Petron Xtra 2006 Auto Focus Automobile & Motorcycle of the Year — People’s Choice Awards Grand Display — and admission is free!

Pit Lane Notes

Home, sweet home. These were probably the words running through Michael Schumacher’s head when he stepped off the plane and onto Imola. He has been overshadowed lately by younger Formula 1 talents, but in San Marino, his team remains to be the one to beat — popularity-wise at least. The sea of scarlet on the stands was a major indication of how insanely popular Ferrari is in that place. When I was watching the race, I heard the commentators say something about how a priest would ring a huge bell in his church every time Shumi wins a race!

The San Marino Formula One Grand Prix was very exciting, with Schumacher and Fernando Alonso fighting it out for the most part. Michael had a magnificent start, and he built up quite a lead in the first 20 laps. The Spaniard led for about 5 laps after Schumi went in for his first pitstop, and missed the race lead by just a couple of hairs when he was pulling out of the pit lane. Michael complained about his tyres and he said its what slowed him down. Both Ferrari and Renault had their thinking caps on, and were trying to out-strategize each other. Fortunately for the Tifosi, it looks like the Prancing Horse up-ended their rivals on this one, because they finally walked away with their first victory of the season.

Alonso fanatics were saying that he could have taken Schumi but decided not to so as not to embarrass him in front of all his die hards in his home turf. But of course the Schumi die-hards still think that Michael’s experience and skill still spelled the difference as Alonso could not find the opportune time for a Schu-mistake which was the only way to overtake in such a tight circuit as San Marino. So the question is: is this the big Shumi comeback, or just a flash in the pan? We’ll find out in Nurburgring.

Top Motoring TV Magazines’ Line up

The country’s premier auto show on TV exclusively dedicated to the automobile and the auto industry, Auto Focus airs once gain tomorrow evening at 10 o’clock on its new home, Sports Plus.

The show’s line up of exciting features include close up look at the Volvo S60 T5 of Viking Cars and the Focus Ghia courtesy of Ford Philippines. A feature to feature comparison of the Mistsubishi Galant and the Toyota Camry on the segment Head-to-Head shall help those in the market for mid size cars in making their decision. A special feature spotlighting the highlights of Isuzu’s latest adventure to Mt. Pinatubo for a test drive of their 4x4 Alterras comes in tandem with the highlights of the "Early Warning" seminar on road safety conducted by SPMJ in cooperation with Toyota Motor Philippines at the New Era University.

Meanwhile, country’s longest-running motoring program, Motoring Today, the institution on Philippine television, now on a new timeslot of 4 o’clock in the afternoon and still a Sunday viewing habit but now on its new home, the Sports Plus Channel on cable TV will have the recently held San Marino Grand Prix, where Michael Schumacher staged a long-awaited comeback, featured on its Race Weekend segment. While on Motoring Forum, the weekly segment that centers on issues that affect the motoring public will tackle the temporary suspension of the "coding system" by the MMDA.

Happy Motoring!!!

For Comments: [email protected].