MANILA, Philippines - Vincent Floirendo of Davao completed his comeback in the local racing scene last year when he captured the Golden Wheel Driver of the Year plum recently in the ninth Golden Wheel Awards Night at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
He always excelled in every motorsports discipline he competed in – from karting, to jet ski racing, classic cars and touring cars. But it was his debut in grand touring – his comeback stint in local racing after a two-year hiatus – that gave him the most prestigious recognition in his colorful racing career.
Composed and formal as he received the prestigious trophy from Phl motorsports godfather Johnny Tan, the 43-year-old Floirendo let his lighter side loose during his acceptance speech and even shouted “I got it, Mom!” as he dedicated his victory to his mother Nenita Floirendo of Nenita Farms, his wife and two kids.
It was a close fight for the top plum between Floirendo and karting champion Stefano Marcelo who made Philippine motorsports history for his unprecedented fourth Karter of the Year award.
As the votes of the board of judges were read, Marcelo was ahead during the counting until the last straw of vote turned the table on Floirendo’s favor to give him the coveted award by a slim margin.