by:
Rtn. Chuck Montecillo
This past weekend has been a very exciting time
for me. April 29-30 was the date of the Asian Festival of Speed (aka AFOS), held at the
Petron Subic International Raceway. I was lucky enough to be one of the participants at
this prestigious event.
As you all know, I have been racing in the Production Cars Championship. Each event has
been an experience that I will never forget. But, AFOS was different. It's not because
Asia's best drivers were there, complete with a world class crew, or even the exotic
racing machines in which they do battle. What made the difference was I was actually in a
RACE.
My previous events were more like rites of passage. I was banged and pushed around quite a
bit, leaving my car damaged after each race weekend (not to mention my bank account).
Being a "newbie" to the Philippine racing scene, the veterans didn't waste any
time in showing me the "ropes". Even though my team and I were triumphant in the
events (two 3rd places and one 1st, in 4 races), I haven't really felt true acceptance
among the other drivers. That finally happened during AFOS.
In the Qualifying session, I was able to garner the "Pole Position" on the
starting grid (the 1st position). Then, during the first race, I was able to maintain that
position until the very end, while battling with more veteran drivers (another WIN). As a
matter of fact, I increased my lead to around 4 seconds and not once was I "hit"
during the race!
In the second race, I made a mistake which allowed Carlos Anton of the Hyundai/MP TURBO
TEAM, to pass for the lead. Throughout the race, Carlos and I were engaged in a heated
battle. Nose to tail, our cars were sliding around the corners, smoking our tires during
extreme braking and dodging each other on the track. Like a chess game, we were both
trying to out smart each other. In the end, Carlos was the victor. But even though I had
lost the race, I had a smile that wouldn't go away. It was the most fun I have had in long
time on a race track!
When all was said and done, that feeling of acceptance filtered in. As I walked around the
pits, the other drivers patted me on the back and gave congratulations all around. I was
now one of them. They had realized that I was not just a flash in the pan or a rookie with
beginer's luck. I was now looked at as a race car driver.
Being on the track, was no longer a test of my mettle. I was there to race and the other
drivers were there as competitors. It was an actual RACE that time.
So, now that's out of the way, I have my eye on the Production Car Championship!
Good morning RCMA. |