Aventajado graces Golden Wheels Awards tonight

MANILA, Philippines - Top government and sports leader Robert Aventajado is the guest of honor as the seventh Golden Wheel Awards pays tribute to the top motorsports achievers today, at 6 p.m. at the Pagcor Theater in Parañaque.

Aventajado, a motorsports icon in the 80’s, will be elevated to the Hall of Fame as he joins motorsports godfather Johnny Tan in announcing the winner of the coveted Golden Wheel National Driver of the Year plum.

The event is backed up by Pagcor Sports and Casino Filipino.

Prior to his colorful government service and his achievements as president of the Philippine Taekwondo Association, Aventajado was at the top of his class in the Philippine rallye scene with his phenomenal feat as Driver of the Year in the first four years of Auto Rallye Club of the Philippines (ARCP) - a record that still stands until now.

He was then the undisputed “King of Pantabangan,” for being the perennial champion of that monster of a special stage in the perilous, rugged foothills of the Sierra Madre in Nueva Ecija.

From his first big test, the Rallye of Seven Lakes in San Pablo City, Laguna driving a modified Toyota Corolla 2TG he bought from the eminent Dante Silverio, Aventajado won one title after another and bagged his fourth straight ARCP Driver of the Year award in 1986 just before he hung up his racing suit the year after.

Prior to the Awards Night bearing the theme “Fostering unity and genuine sportsmanship, committed to excellence”, a photo exhibit gallery of the momentous racing events presented by the Southern Lights Camera-derie headed by president Rene Salta and sports photographer Bong Boado will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Le Souffle Lobby.

The Golden Wheel International Driver of the Year plum will not be at stake this year since no Filipino driver achieved a significant mark in the international scene. Thus, the hunt for the Golden Wheel National Driver of the Year takes a more exciting twist with 11 champions of various motorsports disciplines vying for the distinction.

They are Masato Fernando (underbone), Donard Yuzon (motocross), Maico Greg Buncio (superbikes), Alex Perez (drifting), Peewee Mendiola MD (slalom), Kenrich Mikhael Diaz (rallycross), Reighnbert Diwa (4x4 off road), Paul Henderson Perez (Philippine grand touring), Jonathan Tiu (drag racing), Joey Orduna (karting) and Tin Sritrai of Thailand (Asian karting).

Last year, Juha Turalba and Jonathan Tiu bagged the Golden Wheel International Driver and National Driver of the Year plums, respectively.

Details: Golden Wheel Foundation c/o Rose Feria or Meann Daliva at 817-2241.