Golden wheel awards Motorsports top achievers feted today

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s motorsports stars will be feted today in elaborate rites in the 11th Golden Wheel Awards Night with Singapore Motor Association deputy president Harold Netto gracing the event at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura in Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.

The two-part event starts at 3 p.m. with Netto joining Golden Wheel Foundation Inc. chairman Johnny Tan in naming the recipient of the Golden Wheel Driver of the Year plum. Vying for the coveted award are 11 nominated champions of various motorsports events, including Johnlery Enriquez (Scooters), Niño Fabian (Underbone racing), Dashi Watanabe (Superbikes), Glenn Aguilar (Motocross), Daniel Miranda (Karting), Gio Rodriguez (Drifting), Peewee Mendiola, MD (Slalom), Edison Dungca (4x4 Off Road), Bryan Bautista (Classic Cars), Jody Coseteng (Grand Touring) and Jonathan Tiu (Drag Racing).

Netto is a highly respected race official in international racing scene who has also served as steward in the premiere Formula One Racing Championship, the Asia-Pacific Rallye Championship as well as the Asian Karting Open Championships.

Joining the major awardees are motocross legend Edward Butch Chase who will be the eighth motorsports great to be elevated to the Hall-of-Fame and two Singaporeans – Mohammad Nasri Naufal Bin Nasir and Gabriella Teo – who will also receive their Golden Wheel trophies for their impressive feats as the overall Asian Karting champion and Asian Karting Junior champ, respectively, in last year’s Asian Karting Open Championships.

Marlon Stockinger will be the pioneer recipient of the Motorsports Lifetime Achievement Award for his feats as national karting champion, Asian Karting champion, Golden Wheel awardee and the first Filipino racer in Formula 1 Junior Lotus Team while Jose “Boy” Ochoa Jr. will be given the Posthumous Motorsports Lifetime Achievement award for his contributions as race driver and race steward.

Golden Wheel Media Awards will also be given to Jonathan George Uy, president of The Racing Line TV and ABS-CBN’S Sports Unlimited hosted by Dyan Castillejo who will receive her second straight Golden Wheel trophy for her “Daredevils and a Tempress” episode.

To be cited are sponsors and benefactors among them Petronas Energy Philippine Corporation, FDR Tires, Bridgestone Tires, Yokohama Tires, Maxxis Philippines, RACETECH Suspensions, Toptul, Kart Plaza, GT-Radial Philippines, Camba Moto Haus, Ducati Philippines, Winds Formula Philippines, Honda Philippines Inc. and Motorcycle Taiwan Research Team (MTRT).

Club Awards will be handed over to the season winners of the 2013 Enersel Forte & Enersel-C Philippine National Motocross Championships, 2013 Ducati Cup, Inside Racing Grand Prix 7 – 2013, The Racing Line 2013 Regional Underbone Grand Prix, Honda One Make Race, MTRT Cup, The Racing Line 2013 Regional Autocross Championships, 2013 Phil Mini Racers Championships, 2013 VW Kafer Cup, 2013 Wind Formula Philippines, 2013 NaSFOR 4x4 Off-Road Championship, 2013 FDR Philippine Scooter Racing Championships, 2013 FDR Philippine Underbone King Championships, 2013 USRA Top Ten Riders & Special Awards, 2013 Bridgestone Philippine Superbike Championships, 2013 Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring Championships, 2013 Northern Series Championships, 2013 Southern Series Championships, 2013 National Drag Racing Championship and 2013 Coca-Cola Karting Super Series.

For details, call the Golden Wheel Foundation c/o  Nelson Gayola, Rose Feria or Meann Daliva at 817-2241.