Tiu cops 2nd top driver plum

MANILA, Philippines - Ace drag racing driver Jonathan Tiu came out the best of the best as he emerged the seventh Golden Wheel National Driver of the Year for the second straight year during the Awards Night held recently at the Pagcor Grand Theater in Parañaque City.

It was close fight among Tiu and Karter of the Year Joey Orduna for the highly coveted plum of Philippine Motorsports in this event backed up by Pagcor Sports and Casino Filipino.

But just as fast as he was on track, Tiu readily earned the majority vote of the judging committee for his unprecedented six straight drag racing crowns over Orduna’s feat as the youngest champ and the first to clinch both Junior Karter and Karter of the Year diadems in a single season.

The Golden Wheel Foundation, chaired by RP motorsports godfather Johnny Tan, also elevated businessman Robert Aventajado, the Philippine Taekwondo Association president, to the Hall of Fame.

Aventajado, who’s more known as the undisputed “King of Pantabangan”, rose as a car rallye icon after bagging the Auto Rallye Club of the Philippines (ARCP) Driver of the Year for four straight years -- a record that still stands until now.

Reminiscing the days when he was 60 pounds lighter in his speech, Aventajado expressed his gratitude to motorsports for its life-risking lessons which helped him a lot to the success of his life-risking task negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of hostages in Mindanao .

Receiving their respective Golden Wheel awards are Masato Fernando for Underbone racing, Donark Yuzon for Motocross, Maico Greg Buncio for Superbikes, Alex Perez for Drifting, Dr. Peewee Mendiola for Slalom, Kenrich Mikhael Diaz for Rallycross, Reighnbert Diwa for 4x4 Off Road racing, Paul Henderson Perez for Philippine Grand Touring, Joey Orduña for Philippine Karting and Tin Sritrai of Thailand for Asian Karting.

Tan, in his speech, further encouraged the drivers to gain experience competing in more races abroad and pursue the dream of seeing a prominent Filipino world champion in the international scene.

The Golden Wheel Awards Night, bearing the theme “Fostering unity and genuine sportsmanship, committed to excellence”, also handed out Plaques of Appreciation to corporate sponsors San Miguel Corporation, Petron, PagCor Sports, Casino Filipino, Yokohama Tires, Suzuki Phils and Sel J Pharma-Therasil Lozenges for their valuable support to Philippine Motorsports.