Suba G Wheel driver of the year

MANILA, Philippines - Vencer John Suba, who nearly quit karting to work as full-time coach last year, bested 10 other awardees to bag the coveted Driver of the Year award during the Golden Wheel Awards Night at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines last weekend.

Suba of Eagle Cement, the Karter of the Year awardee last year, was the second karter to win the top Golden Wheel award after Michelle Bumgarner in 2003. Stefano Marcelo and Juha Turalba were the only two karters who copped the Golden Wheel International Driver of the Year honors in 2007 and 2008, respectively

Puerto Princesa City Mayor and senatorial bet Edward Hagedorn graced the awards rites where he congratulated the winners and the motorsports community. A known environmentalist, Hagedorn gave a glimpse of his “Green Motorsports” program as he vowed support to local racing as he bared that a new standard kart track will soon rise in the world-famous Eco-Tourism destination – Puerto Princesa City.

Suba, who started as a Cadet karter at age 8, beat 10 other nominees, who also received Golden Wheel trophies being the champions of their respective racing disciplines, for the top plum. They included Alex Perez (drifting), Peewee Mendiola (Slalom), Vincent Floirendo (grand touring), Red Diwa (4x4 Offroad), Jonathan Tiu (drag racing), Rodney Caballero (Classic Cars), Glenn Aguilar (motocross), Raniel Resuello (Superbikes) Anthony Roman (underbone racing) and Miko Montano (scooters).

In his speech, Suba took pride as a “mechanic’s son,” which he said spurred him to work harder and achieve his dream of making it big in karting.

Last year, he thought of hanging up his racing suit after accepting the job as coach of San Miguel Corp. Ramon Ang’s two sons.

But the top SMC honcho, seeing the talent and skills in Suba, instead encouraged and provided Suba the needed support as the top gun of the Eagle Cement Racing Team.

And Suba delivered, ruling four of the last five legs of the Coca-Cola Karting Super Series to claim the top karting honors.

Two Indonesians  Dharma Mangkuluhur and Senna Sulaiman Noor  were also feted with the Golden Wheel trophies for their feats as Asian Karting Junior champion and Asian Karting Senior champion respectively.