Pastors make name in Nascar Europe, US

MANILA, Philippines - Enzo Pastor, the first Filipino to participate in the Euro Nascar Touringcar Series, remained in the top 10 halfway through the 2013 season which started last March in Nogaro, France and ends mid-October.

Pastor, who was occupying fourth-sixth places in the first half of the series until he suffered major mishaps that bumped him out of the top 6, was ranked eighth among 36 open class competitors.

“The next four European races will be critical, and onwards to the semifinal stage with double point system, where  only the top 8 make it to the top 3 podium win championship,” said his father Tom.

The young Pastor, who is completing the series for the first time, hopes to make the top 8 with strong finishes at Monza, Italy and at Le Mans,  France, both Formula racetracks where he feels more confident.

Euro Nascar Touringcar Series  is now known as Nascar Whelen Euro Series, an official international partner of Nascar USA. Pastor’s  participation in the Euro Nascar Touringcar Series and the hosting of the developmental program Asian V8 Speed Challenge at the Clark International Speedway probably in February will be announced after the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile  (FIA) certifies the grade 4 safety features of the racetrack.

The event will be presented by the Philippine Formula Autosport Foundation and co-presented by the Department of Tourism.

While Enzo is campaigning in Europe, his brother Don is making a name both on and off the racetracks in the US.

Don Pastor, the first American-Filipino  EuroNASCAR test driver, received his official USA K & N Nascar invite from Cope Racing Team in May. In between a marketing campaign to get sponsors, he  received endorsements from significant political figures in the San Francisco Bay Area.

He was invited to throw the first pitch at the Oakland A’s major league baseball game in August. After throwing the first pitch, an Oakland A’s pitcher acknowledged the pitch to be perfectly in the strike zone. At the game, Don shook hands with Oakland A’s players and George Zimmer, founder of Men’s Wearhouse.

Don was featured on various TV shows and newspapers like Asian Journal and Manila Mail.

On July 27, Don made his official public debut at the historic site of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Daly City and was officially introduced by City Mayor Ray Buenaventura to the community as the first official American-Filipino Euro Nascar driver who “would be the local hero that puts Daly City on the map and the perfect example of chasing and achieving your dreams.”

In the gatherings, he acquired the monicker “Don of Racing”.

Shortly following his July 27 debut, Don was featured at the 20th Annual Pistahan Parade in San Francisco. He  paraded with his race team while riding on the back of a BMW convertible sportscar through the famous Market street of San Francisco.

After the parade, he made his way on to the stage and stood among the stars present  –  Filipino comedian Rex Navarette and UFC fighter Mark Muñoz.