Gianmatteo Guidicelli: Swatch a racer!

His name is Gian-matteo Fernan Guidicelli but you can call him Matteo and he is the latest Swatch endorser. Only 14, Matteo is already a multi-awarded karting champion. The first time he drove a kart, it was a rental one in Jesolo, Italy in July 2001. From there he was able to try the newly opened track in Kartzone, Cebu where he grew up. (His mother is the niece of the late Justice Marcelo Fernan.) Only two months after Matteo tried his hand in karting, he began to join races. The first race he joined was a national series leg held in Cebu where he became champion in the Cadet 60 category where he competed against more experienced drivers.

This year, Matteo faced some stiff challenges as he realized his bid for the Rotax World Finals after a record-breaking win in the first leg of the 2004 Shell Super Kart Series in Carmona, Cavite in the first quarter of this year. Matteo logged in Carmona’s racing track the fastest lap record by a Filipino at 42.77 seconds, while also placing third in the Open division despite suffering a flat tire midway in the race. Matteo and his closest competitor went toe-to-toe in the first 17 laps, trading places many times. Despite the flat tire, Matteo started to pull away in the last three laps and was also able to protect his lead until the end of the race. He is currently preparing for the next legs of the National Kart Series as he defends his lead in the Rotax division. Winning the overall title will be his ticket to the World Finals in Madrid, Spain.

Also competing in the Asian karting circuit, Matteo swept all five races to rule the Royal Kelantan Silver Jubilee Kart Prix, the kickoff leg of the Asian Zone Open Karting Championship, at the Kota Bahru Circuit in Malaysia in early April. He clinched the premier Intercontinental Junior Championship crown, capping an impressive victory for the Philippine Karting Team which bagged three of the six titles at stake.

A regular student at the Brent International School, Matteo strives to keep his grades up despite a rigorous training schedule and his growing endorsement commitments. His winsome smile and the focus he gives to his chosen sport amid his regular school work load can only bring golden opportunities for the latest Swatch endorser. When not at the racing track, Matteo likes to play the drums, enjoys golf, soccer and horseback riding. Being half Italian, Matteo loves proscuitto e melone, pizza and steak. His sports idol is, of course, Michael Schumacher and he dreams of one day racing in Formula 1.

At such a young age, to be focused on a sport and serious with his studies, Matteo stands out among teens his age and has every opportunity to become a hero among his peers.