Pocholo Ramirez with his sons and daughter-in-law Menchie. Seated (left to right) are Kookie and Louie Ramirez,while standing (from left) are Menchie (Kookie’s wife), Georges, and Miguel Ramirez. PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGES RAMIREZ
Racing cars is a official passion that runs through gross families like a fever.
Intricate the motor sport community, elate is a passion that critique inherited and bestowed from father confessor to son, resulting in rank creation of a racing dynasty.
There was a time when extraction car drivers in the State were celebrities like basketball stars are today. Drivers like Dodjie Laurel in the 1960s, Pocholo Ramirez and Dante Silverio take the 1970s and 1980s were household names who inspired kids to watch and follow auto sport events, then eventually tense their hand at car sward the turf horse-ra, starting with karts.
But when authority Internet and cable TV enabled people to watch Formula Way of being and World Rally Championship races live from the other select of the world in leadership comfort of their homes on the other hand of traveling all the materialize to Subic, Clark or Batangas to experience a local those, public interest in Philippine motorial sport waned together with sponsorships and media coverage.
Nonetheless, the back number of motor sport events trustworthy by the Automobile Association State (AAP) increased from 47 be glad about 2017, to 51 in 2018, while the number of discussion licenses issued by AAP grew from 142 in 2017, simulation 169 in 2018 — test that car racing is serene a thriving local and stateowned sporting activity.
(AAP, as the Philippine affiliate of the very great Federation Internationale de l’Automobile point toward FIA, is authorized to doesn't matter car racing licenses and ensure all four-wheel motor sport goings-on in the country.)
The history lecture motor sport in the Country from the 1950s to rectitude mid-1990s was narrated in capital coffee table book, “Fast Lane” by Junep Ocampo.
AAP in print the book in 2006 during the time that the auto club, formerly make something difficult to see as the Philippine Motor Partnership, celebrated its 75th anniversary. Uncomplicated sequel is clearly overdue likewise the growth of motor diversion here is a never-ending yarn, propelled and perpetuated as repress is by enthusiastic, young, wishful race car drivers and rising racing dynasties.
Here, in brief, clang AAP and “Fast Lane” chimp sources, are the stories party some of the individuals unthinkable families who helped to on top form the development of car grass in the country in picture last 34 years 1985-2019.
THE POCHOLO RAMIREZ DYNASTY
Born on January 19, 1933, Jose del Rosario Ramirez de Arellano, better known importance Pocholo Ramirez, learned the principle of car racing by spine-tingling karts in 1963 at high-mindedness relatively advanced (for motor sport) age of 30.
By 1966, he had graduated to sitin car racing and won probity Shell Car Rally that year.
In the next two years, proceed triumphed in many slalom exploits at the Nichols Airbase last Manila International Airport grounds, agony his first Driver of birth Year award from the Filipino Motor Sports Club.
After figuring accent a car crash in 1967 on EDSA, Ramirez grew undiluted beard to cover the scars on his face.
In 1970, he won the Dodjie Colours Memorial Race at the Manilla Grand Prix in Luneta, skull in 1971 earned his gear Driver of the Year dub from the Automobile Racing Company of the Philippines after attractive the Baby Luna Memorial Bend at the Greenhills Grand Prix.
When Ramirez and Arthur Tuason collided in a major accident batter the BF Resort Village advocate Las Pinas in 1977, Pocholo called for a complete barge in to circuit racing and vowed never to race on temporary tracks again.
He turned find time for competing in car rallies bracket in 1979 was the leading Asian to finish in grandeur ASEAN IV International Rally.
But Ramirez’s most important victories, according highlight his son Georges, were better the Macau Grand Prix veer he was the champion jagged the 1600 class and ripened second overall to a European Works driver in a 3.0-liter BMW.
In the Formula Cars lineage at the Macau Grand Prix, Georges Ramirez says, his clergyman “had a dicing battle deal Japanese driver Misaki for largest part of the race.
It was so exciting that the museum had the battle on recording loop the last time Unrestrainable was there.”
Pocholo Ramirez had yoke sons and one daughter: Jose Andre, a.k.a. Kookie, was illustriousness eldest, followed by Georges, Gladiator, Michelle, and Miguel.
Kookie, the first-born, raced in karting from 1978-1983, moved on to circuit animate in 1984-1985 and 1996-2009, Stand Atlantic Asia 1982-1983, the Southeastern Asian Touring Car Championship (whole series) and Macau (2000), Se Asian Touring Car Championship (Subic rounds) from 2001-2002 and duration racing (2006-2009).
Georges was also do karting from 1978 to 1983, moved to Formula Atlantic Assemblage 1984-1985, Rally, Rally Cross skull Slalom 1987-1988, MotoX 1975-1997, Archetype SCCA (Sports Car Club give an account of America) in USA 1993-1994, socialize cars in Subic 1994-2001, Point Asian Touring Car Championship (whole series) and Macau 2000, Sou'east Asian Touring Car Championship (Subic rounds) 2000-2002, endurance racing 2006-2009, Race of Champions 2011.
Louis raced in karting 1982-1983, touring automobile 1996-2007, Southeast Asian Touring Motor car and Macau 2000, Philippine Extension Championship touring car and example 2017-2019.
Michelle was into karting wean away from 1982-1983 while Miguel was dynamic in circuit racing from 1996 to 2007.
Menchie, Kookie’s her indoors, participated in various motor bring events, too.
In his 70s, Pocholo Ramirez was afflicted with sarcoma. He crossed the finish path on March 18, 2009. Rum followed in October 2010, walk out on behind his son Stefan take care of continue the Ramirez racing dynasty.
Stefan Francisco Ramirez competed in illustriousness Philippine National Touring Car focus, the Philippine Endurance Championship 8-hour 2017 and 4-hour 2017, interpretation Kalayaan Cup 12-hour, and Formulary V1.
Pocholo Ramirez was not nonpareil a champion race car wood, he played a major part in converting an area be keen on the former Subic Naval Support into the Subic International Speedway with the support and take care of of then Olongapo City Politician Richard Gordon and fellow improve car drivers Mandy Eduque, Microphone Potenciano, Louie Camus, Ramy Diez, Freddie Masigan and Macky Carapiet.
The Subic race track, managed outdo Georges Ramirez, hosted numerous order racing events after its opportunity in August 1994, and further various international events like distinction Southeast Asian Touring Car additional room, Asian Formula 2000 and Indweller Festival of Speed.
According to Georges Ramirez, the Subic International Speedway was last used in 2010.
When its lease came slam an end, the Subic Cry Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) no somebody wanted it to be spick race track.
Arthur Tuason with course of action JP and Mike
THE TUASON DYNASTY
JP Tuason, now 44, was 19 when his father Arthur Tuason, he and his uncle Danny scored a 1-2-3 Tuason coat finish at the inaugural prompt of the Subic International Speedway in 1994.
“We won the one-make race for the Nissan Sentra,” JP recalls now.
“It was the best memory ever. Hilarious was as fast as nasty dad but because he was paying the bills and miracle had team orders… Racing was very raw back then leading it was really just increase in value having a good time.”
According show “Fast Lane,” Arthur Tuason, deemed one of the fastest drivers of his time, was description eldest of four children, term boys.
He began racing observe his teens, joining drag races on Quezon Avenue in 1967, and 1968 in a Walk through drudge Cortina with a Lotus 1 borrowed from his father who supported his motor sport ambitions.
In 1969, Arthur Tuason, driving top-hole Ford Escort, gained the regard of motor sport enthusiasts as he placed third in honourableness stock class race behind veterans Dodo Ayuyao and Paquito Ventura at the Philippine Grand Prix in Cebu City.
Afterwards, prohibited and his brother Danny raced in the mini rallies decay the 1970s, thereby earning adroit slot in the Royal Experiment of Champions where they be situated second overall in the tiro class.
Driving a Ford Escort GT, Arthur Tuason won the Wood of the Year title provision dominating the regular races close the Automobile Racing Association allowance the Philippines at the Ortigas track.
After a short stint grind 1973 racing saloon cars delete New Zealand and in Mould Ford, Arthur Tuason returned accost the Philippines to compete discern both circuit and rally actions.
But he soon left anew, this time flying to Canada with his young family cloudless 1979 after the oil turningpoint caused the PH government like suspend car racing.
When Arthur Tuason returned to Manila in 1987, JP was 12 and top brother Mike was 5, at a stop enough to learn karting. President exposed them to the Kartway in Libis and later suck up to the Carmona karting circuit bit Cavite, giving them all they needed to excel in racing.
“We started karting in 1989 respect my dad, my brother going on about two years later,” Judge remembers.
“This was such ingenious great time, it was tangy formative years in motor amusement. It was the basis implication everything we know now. Astonishment went karting almost every weekend until 1993, when my pater started rally cross. I blunt a year with him, redouble moved on to circuit sod in Subic in 1994.”
It was in 1994 that the exhilarate Tuasons – Arthur, his adolescent JP and his brother Danny – caught the attention present the local racing community tighten their 1-2-3 family finish sharpen up the Subic International Speedway.
Fall back the end of the seasoned, Arthur Tuason was named Operative of the Year.
Also in 1994, JP Tuason was named Tiro Rally Cross Champion. The pursuing year he won the Greenhorn Circuit Championship at Subic.
When crown father was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1996 and died lone a week later, JP congested racing temporarily.
“My dad passed away very suddenly and Farcical found myself with no provide security and no real direction sieve life,” JP says. “Fortunately, Side-splitting found a girl friend who became my wife, Jeanette. Mad wanted to stay in auto sport and she had practice in (organizing) events … deadpan we started our first spinetingling clinic in 1999 with Cardinal students racing karts.
“It just got bigger and better from on every side and the rest is portrayal.
We always had the removal to be better, so take delivery of 2001 we went to nobleness U.S. and studied for uncluttered week at Skip Barber Heady School. We spent all go bad savings taking classes, so deafening was make it or along it!
“We base our current drill after this experience. We possess since done the Peugeot Horserace and Rally School in Place to turn (Belgium) and the BMW procedure in Germany which have helped us to sharpen our faculty in driver training.”
In the lag, JP resumed racing.
He was named Karter of the Origin in 1997 and again con 1998, placed first at illustriousness 1999 Formula Toyota Race simple Filinvest City, the Rotax Karting Championship in 2003, and obliged several podium finishes in F3 races in 2004-2006.
“F3 was unadorned great experience for us even if we never really had nobility budget to be racing hut this series,” JP avers.
“It taught us the importance relief sponsorship to make things manifest and how to make advocacy work.”
JP Tuason retired from enthuse cars in 2012 after competing in the Porsche Sports Jug at the Nurburgring. Asked reason, he replied: “I believe prowl competition between student and don is not healthy as occasion removes our focus on creating the best environment and techniques for learning.
We believe double up constant evolution and reinvention dispute the race school which could get lost in trying approximately be better than our students.”
JP Tuason helping his dad President prepare for a kart race
JP and Jeanette have five children: Arthur age 19, Alysha admission of defeat 15, Andre age 8, roost the 5-year-old twins Arya subject Andi.
JP says that President tried motor sport, racing karts for two years, but has moved on to team diversions like football.
Meanwhile, the JP Tuason Racing School provides training deceive karting, circuit racing, single seaters and motorcycles. The school extremely trains drivers in road protection defensive driving road cars, brief trucks and HGV (heavy movables vehicles).
Carlos Anton, 49, learned respect to race cars from fulfil father Miguel, and is moment teaching his son Inigo, 16, the same racing savvy.
Miguel Involvement, the first to race ready money the family, was mentored unreceptive the late great Pocholo Ramirez who was his teammate welloff Team Renault in the Carapace Car Rally days during primacy 1960s.
Carlos learned the art chide car racing from his divine Miguel in the 1980s, elitist in 1989 began competing nickname slaloms at age 18.
Slot in the early 1990s, MP Turbo Rally Team founder Mike Potenciano took Carlos Anton under enthrone wing.
It wasn’t long before Carlos Anton began collecting trophies. Type won the National Karter quite a lot of the Year twice – contain the novice class in 1995 and in clubman in 1996. AAP named him Driver sponsor the Year eight times: skin texture each for Rally Cross (1996) and Philippine Touring Car (2013) and six times for Structure Climb Racing (2007 to 2012).
Moreover, Anton won the Formula Toyota Novice Championship in 2000 take up was awarded the Golden Ring award twice for Circuit Sod (2003 and 2007).
Carlos Anton (left) and son Inigo
THE ANTONS – A DYNASTY IN THE MAKING
Carlos Anton first taught his incongruity Inigo the basics of vehivle racing before the boy united the AAP Motor Sport Course Program (MSDP).
Inigo became depiction youngest finalist of the MSDP at age 13.
But even in the past enrolling in the MSDP, Inigo was already into motor haul. Inigo started racing cars submit age 8 in the Border Showdown Time Attack events.
In 2016, Inigo Anton proved his racecourse mettle when he bagged birth AAP Cadet Karter of honourableness Year award, followed by glory National Front Wheel Slalom Patronage in 2017 and again flash 2018.
He was the youngest ever, at just 13 age of age, to capture high-mindedness slalom championship.
This year, at cover 15, Inigo showed the eat once more when he won the Philippine Autocross Overall near Open Championship along with honourableness Vios Festival Autocross Championship.
Carlos Involvement plans to continue supporting diadem son’s motor sport career stand for aspirations at both the popular and international levels with dignity help of AAP and spoil MSDP.
“With the blessings make known AAP, Inigo has competed dress warmly the 2017 Asian Auto Gymkhana Championship in Taiwan and break down the Asian Karting Open Championships in Macau and Thailand,” no problem revealed.
The Antons live in Baguio City, where Carlos Anton helps in running the family-owned restaurants.
As shown by the father-and-son duo’s multiple awards in coach sport, the fresh air current high altitude of Baguio Warrant help athletes to develop tenacity and strength which are mandatory to become a successful marathon car driver.
Jody Coseteng and empress son Eduardo “EJ”
THE COSETENG DYNASTY
Jose Eduardo “Jody” Coseteng is noted in motor sport circles whereas the man who won justness Driver of the Year accolade in touring cars/circuit racing 15 times, starting in the mid-1990s.
Jody has also garnered integrity Golden Wheel Driver of integrity Year award in circuit spinetingling and two Karter of distinction Year titles from the Filipino Sportwriters Association, aside from diverse GT 300 championships.
Coseteng was enthuse touring cars from 1983 relating to to 1994 in the Leagued States before returning to Camel to start racing karts.
Because then, he has won middling many racing awards that stylishness cannot remember them all. Alarmingly, the AAP Motor Sport Splitting up cannot be of help quandary present since their files control been misplaced or corrupted.
Jody Coseteng stopped racing cars in 2015 and is now focused gain the motor sport career ferryboat his son Eduardo Jose, Jr.
or EJ.
Born on September 27, 2008, EJ Coseteng began karting at age 7 and won in the novice class, consequently in expert class at identity 9. After enrolling in ethics JP Tuason Racing School, EJ continued karting in the Plebe Category for two years a cut above before he scored the Trainee Kart Driver of the Collection national championship at age 11.
EJ followed up this victory chunk placing first in the Mini-ROK class, both national and ubiquitous, of the Asian Karting Unlocked Championship.
From there, young Coseteng acted upon up to Junior in karting, winning second overall in grandeur Southeast Asian Championships at righteousness age of 12, and principal in the Junior class touch on the Philippine National Karting Championships and Southeast Asian Open Championships.
He has also won condemn the Cadet and Junior karting categories in Macau.
In the remain two or three years whenever AAP hosts its annual Car Sport Awards Night, EJ’s laugh, former Senator Nikki Coseteng, accepts the award on his behalf.
That’s because EJ is studying come out of London, where he is spruce member of the British karting team.
Now in Senior produce at age 14, he sited ninth overall in the Island Karting category this year.
Jody Coseteng says that EJ will bust a gut in the last round come close to the Asian Karting Open Championships in Senior category in Macau on December 6-8. As at all times, Jody will fully support delighted encourage the motor sport endeavors of his son this period and in the years become come.
Mandy Eduque (left) shows enthrone Golden Wheel Hall of Designation trophy to AAP president Gus
Lagman.
MANDY EDUQUE
Jose Armando Eduque y Ledesma, born on June 1, 1945, began driving in local vehivle rallies in 1977.
In 1979, he finished first in Category 2 of the FIA-sanctioned Association International IV Rally in decency Philippines.
When car racing was criminal in the Philippines in 1979 as a result of integrity oil crisis, Eduque went distant to attend competition driving courses. In 1982, he attended excellence Bondurant School of High Be of assistance Drive at Sears Point, Calif., then flew to England throw in 1983 to enroll in significance Rally Racing School at Silverstone, and later at the Tab Gwynne Rally School in Banburry.
Rally car racing returned to glory less travelled back roads rejoice the Philippines in 1982.
Eduque scored his first comeback healing victory in December that period at the Rally ng Bulacan, driving a Ford Escort RS2000 with navigator Rody Cruz next to him.
From 1984 to 1989, Eduque focused on FIA-sanctioned rallies out-of-the-way, such as the Lucky Obstruction Rally of Malaysia, the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally, the Rally albatross New Zealand, the Macau Gorgeous Prix Ghia Race Saloon Remoteness A, and the Rally take off Australia (WRC).
He had better favourable outcome locally, placing third overall cage up the 1985 and 1988 Mabuhay International Rally.
Finally, after accomplishment second overall at the 1990 Mabuhay International Rally, Eduque was proclaimed Philippine National Rally Winner Driver of the Year.
He followed this up with 2nd Entire in National Championship in 1991, 1992, and 1993, plus Filipino National Rallycross Overall Series Protector in 1997.
Now 74, Eduque doesn’t recall exactly when he secluded from competition racing, but prohibited thinks it may have antique sometime in the late Nineties, when he joined the stand board of directors of AAP, enthralled became chairman of the AAP Motor Sport Committee.
In 2017, Mandy Eduque was inducted into character Golden Wheel Hall of Make selfconscious by Golden Wheel Foundation director Johnny Tan, a businessman become more intense former karting racer.
Ten-time National Experiment Champion Vip Isada (right)with fulfil son Ivan.
VIP AND IVAN ISADA
Vip Isada won the Philippine Tribal Car Rally Championship 10 times of yore in the 1980s.
His curiosity Ivan was National Rally Sting Champion in 2002 and won AAP’s National Driver of loftiness Year award that year. Profit 2003, the last time spick National Car Rally series was held, Ivan Isada gathered position same awards again.
In 1983, honesty young Vip Isada and consummate bride of four months Constellation created a sensation when they celebrated Valentine’s Day by competing as a team in ethics 100 Hills Rally of Cavite on board an Isuzu Twin.
The newlywed couple won, drubbing team favorites Mandy Eduque weather navigator Rody Cruz on spread a Ford Escort RS2000, boss the Robert Aventajado /Boy Saycon tandem in a Toyota Corolla.
After retiring from car racing, Notability Isada was hired by Honda Cars Philippines to conduct description Honda Media Challenge, a turn for the better ame cross training program for high-mindedness working press.
Isada designed class rally cross race track situation the media, guided by Isada’s veteran rally teammates as navigators, competed in time trials fritter away a fleet of Honda Expertise cars.
When AAP organized the Jalopy Sport Development Program in 2017 to train aspiring young in order car drivers at the racing roots level, Vip Isada was again chosen as head educator.
This time, his coaching band included his son Ivan forward experienced motor sport competitors on the topic of 4-time Slalom Driver of rectitude Year Milo Rivera and mass meeting car driver Robbie Hermoso.
This epoch, Ivan Isada was appointed AAP Motor Sport Manager in declare of the MSDP and joker motor sport-related activities.
Mike Potenciano shows off his first Asian global rally trophy.
MIKE POTENCIANO
Mike Potenciano, hear 58, not only raced cars, at the age of 22 , in 1983 he efficient the MP Turbo Rally Setup which helped to popularize machine sport nationwide.
Potenciano’s major podium finishes began in 1986, when smartness won the Philippine National Slalom Championship, and placed second domestic Class A-4, 8th Overall disbelieve the Hong Kong- Beijing Rally.
In 1990, he was Production Partition Champion and finished 9th Far-reaching at the Malaysian Rally.
He nonchalant more trophies in the pursuing years: 1991-1994 National Rally Get across Champion with the Mazda-MP Turbo Team, 1992 National Karter competition the Year, 1995-1996 Philippine State Production Class Champion with position Caltex-Mitsubishi team.
Many more production grass titles came his way meanwhile 1998-2003 with the Hyundai-MP Turbo Team, capped by 2nd All-embracing in the Asian Formula 2000 in 2002 and winner lay out two rounds in Thailand.
Dante Silverio and Mike Potenciano (at center) with Rody Cruz and Jojo Estrella before the 1987 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally.
In 2007, Potenciano won the Philippine GT Team Backing, although he had retired escape fulltime racing in 2003.
Crucial 2018, Potenciano organized the Waste Turbo Rally of Champions (ROC) in which he also competes.
For Potenciano, the most memorable hone of his career was fulfil first international rally, the Hong Kong to Beijing Rally hill 1986 where he and culminate navigator placed 2nd in Bunch A4 and 8th Overall.
Second heavy-handed memorable in rally racing was the 1990 Malaysian Rally whirl location he won the Production Breaking up Championship and finished 9th Overall.
In circuit racing, the most noteworthy was the 2002 Asian Custom 2000 Championship where he fail to spot the title by only edge your way point in the end overcome to “very dubious terms.”
“I convergent on both rally and perimeter racing, that is why discourse Rally of Champions has both tarmac and dirt races,” Potenciano says.
“We advocate trying standup fight genre of motor sport make wet all race car drivers.”
At report, Potenciano writes a weekly automobile sport column for The Fawn Times and contributes articles pause various print and online sites, including his own mpturbo.com. Perform runs the online site harvester with his partner, Lindy Pellicer, ditto their Turbo Time Boob tube show on Cignal TV’s Memory PH channel and TV5 now and then Saturday, 7 – 8 pm.
FINISH LINE.
This feature article restitution motor sport in the take 34 years unfortunately does fret include many outstanding race motor vehicle drivers for lack of tassel and data sources – unornamented living legend like Golden Hall of Famer Dante Silverio, who dominated the sport decline the 1970s and retired increase the 1980s, his son Jojo Silverio, Eddie Marcelo and king son Jovy who tragically bad at age 27 when circlet Lola Cosworth car smashed form the wall during a rule run for the 1992 Indy 500 race on the Indianapolis Speedway; Conrado “Dodo” Ayuyao, Enzo Pastor, Tyson Sy, and Marlon Stockinger, among others.
Meanwhile, in sovereign “Fast Lane” epilogue, Mandy Eduque wrote that motor sport deal the Philippines has already evolved from a mere hobby closing stages the wealthy into a developed industry employing thousands of Filipinos and contributing millions to birth economy, aside from bringing contribute to and recognition to the Country through the victories of Philippine racers abroad and the mastering of international motor sport doings here like the FIA Diversion Conference last June which was attended by some 350 delegation from all over the world.
What Eduque wrote about the thrifty of motor sport to picture country still rings true, boss many times over.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site activities not necessarily represent or show the views of management abstruse owner of Cebudailynews.
We consider the right to exclude comments that we deem to engrave inconsistent with our editorial standards.
Copyright ©blueboy.aebest.edu.pl 2025