Tuason Racing scores in Mini-ROK Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - The Tuason Racing School (TRS) Racing Career Management Program scored another major feat with the impressive triumph of its protégé Antonio Sebastian “Basti” Escalante in the Mini-ROK Challenge of the Pagcor Sports KF2-KF3 Cup Series recently at the Carmona Racetrack.

The 11-year-old Escalante, a De La Salle-Zobel Grade 5 student, again upstaged three-year champ Christian Gaddi in the tight, grueling battle to claim victory in Race 6 with the big support of Tuason Racing School, Ready2Race, OMP, and his personal sponsors – Audi, Bridgestone, Puma, Coke Zero, Castrol, Bank of Commerce, Werdenberg International Corp., Transnational Diversified Group, Emcor, KServico, Audi and Washington Watches.

After winding up as runner-up in Race 5, Basti became more keen on winning the title but it turned out to be one tough ride as he diced several times with Christian for the lead.

The first six laps saw Gaddi controlling the front seat but Escalante’s perseverance paid off and found the perfect time to pull a big dive and grab the lead for the first time on the seventh lap.

Christian regained his post on the next turn but Basti quickly got back in front and secured his position all the way to the finish line.

He clocked seven minutes and 49.379 seconds in the 10-lap race or just a slim 0.229 of a second ahead of Gaddi.

“It was really tough but I knew I could do it,” said Basti, son of the famed gourmet restaurateurs, Chef Tony Boy and Agnes Escalante of Antonio’s in Tagaytay.

TRS president JP Tuason, who coached Basti during the weekend, credited the victory to the strict physical, racing and coaching regimen which taught Escalante the virtue of patience and determination to win despite all odds under the supervision of multi-awarded race car driver Mike Tuason through Tuason Racing School (TRS) Racing Career Management Program.

“TRS-RCM program taught him that racing is not just about being on top, but more on how you bounce back to win. Basti just showed he has matured a lot as far as skills and racing judgment is concerned,” quipped Tuason.