A perfect day for an auto rally

The gods of good weather and sunshine must have been upon us last Saturday, March 3 when the 5th STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge (ARCC) was flagged off at the Clark Freeport Zone by no less than the very dynamic and gung ho president and CEO of Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Atty. Felipe Antonio “Ping” Remollo assisted by CDC’s tourism head, Ms. Noemi Garcia.

This year 16 Corporate Teams representing the country’s major automobile manufacturers and importers participated in this now institutional annual industry event, one of the rare opportunities where you find keenly competing companies get together for a day of fun and excitement-filled competition that is closest to their hearts – motor sport.

This year’s staging of this much-awaited auto industry event is presented by Caltex with Techron in cooperation with the Clark Development Corporation. The ARCC is actually a revival of the Sampaguita “on time all the time” Rally that had its glory days in the 60s when motor sports exponents like the late Pocholo Ramirez, Dante Silverio, the late Dodo Ayuyao, the late AAP president Tony Mapa (whose death anniversary was also last Saturday), Ramy Diez, current AAP president Gus Lagman, Johnny Angeles, to mention a very few, figured prominently.

This particular motor sport has a very popular appeal considering that a participant can use his everyday vehicle sans any modification and can be assured that it will still be intact at the end of the competition considering that it is mainly run on public roads and does not require speed in order to excel. It also has its road safety and road discipline relevance because any participant cited for any traffic law infringement while competing would have no chance to win and may even be outright disqualified. With participation in the event not as prohibitive compared to other motor sports a wider participation is expected when it gets to be opened to privateers. Currently participation is on the corporate level.

Similar to last year’s staging, each Corporate Team was allowed to field a maximum of 4 vehicles for another awesome record-breaking starting grid of 64. However, an entry from Chevrolet couldn’t make it and I understand that it was due to the lack of crew to man it. A sad awakening considering that there were some members of the motoring media who were salivating for a ride. One entry from Toyota failed to make it to the starting grid because its driver had “one too many” the night before and failed to wake up in time for the flag off. 62 cars on the starting grid was an unimaginable event during the motor sport’s height when 30 cars participating was then an organizer’s dream.

Some of the industry’s top executives came for the event to lend support for their Corporate Teams. Lexus-Manila president Danny “Sir John” Isla had his high-end Lexus automobiles specially designed with “flower power” stickers, a hands-down choice if there were a special award for the best designed entry. With the prodding of Al “Sir Paul” Mendoza, there would definitely be such an award in our next outing, an idea supported by Boying Soriano, Kia’s marketing services manager who was later joined by Columbia Autocar lady president Ms.Ginia Domingo who made sure to drop by and make her presence felt by her hard-working team. There was also Nicky Mariano, GM of Motor Image Pilipinas and country manager for Subaru, this year’s defending champion cheering for the all-new team that he put together. Of course as he promised, there was also the presence of Art Balmadrid, Isuzu Philippines Corporation’s senior vice president at the flag off. Just after lunch came Willy Tee Ten, top honcho of Autohub Group, to look after his boys of the MINI Team representing British United Automobiles. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines’ vice president for marketing services Froy Dytianquin did more than just cheer his team, he joined them in the run.

Judging from the reactions of the participants coming back to the Mimosa Convention Center where lunch and afternoon snacks were served, Georges Ramirez, the Event Director and Chief Steward together with his group composed of Mikko David and Patrick Chua again had quite a tricky route designed this year. Georges even made sure that those participants that crave for a little speed excitement were treated to two Special “speed” Stages just to satisfy their wants, although they are not part of the rally per se but could earn the driver who came closest to the perfect time a special award or some bragging rights.

Last Saturday was another busy “sports day” for the Clark Freeport, what with a marathon and slow pitch softball almost simultaneously being held. Judging by the way the former US Airbase is getting to be a popular choice to hold sports events like the ARCC, the vision of it current leadership under the dynamism of its president and CEO, Atty. Ping Remollo to make it into the country’s “Sports Mecca” aside from being a major investment hub may not just be a dream but a very near reality.

Judging by the clamor for more of this event, plans are afoot to have a 3-leg series next year. There will be 3 Leg Champions, one for each leg and an Overall Champion of the Year with the combined results of all the legs. The first 2 legs could be held just outside of the metro, like Tagaytay in the south and probably the Antipolo Hills in the east with the Final leg in Subic or Clark or combined.

The ARCC is actually part of the combined advocacy of Socio Com Foundation for Asia and Sunshine TV to promote road safety awareness. Proceeds of the event, should there be any considering the logistics required to organize it, shall be used to augment the logistics needed to conduct the road safety seminars (Motoring Today Young Street Smarts Road Safety School Tour) that the tandem holds for free in high schools in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces. So far these free road safety seminars and workshops have been held in 18 schools reaching more than 10,000 students since it started in 2010.

Winners of the 2012 STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge presented by Caltex with Techron in cooperation with the Clark Development Corporation shall be known during tomorrow’s awards ceremonies.

For most of those who joined the ARCC, participating in the road rally was the exciting culmination of their yearlong eager anticipation of the event – the awards would just be the bonus.

Happy Motoring!!!

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