Philippine motor sports in peril?

Word has reached us that some "bright" mind is contemplating on making a strong recommendation to "the powers that be" to have motor sports banned indefinitely in the country in order to mitigate the effects of the soaring fuel prices.

This feeble attempt by whoever to make "pogi points" with the Administration must have been patterned after a similar move made by the Marcos regime during the fuel crisis that the world went through in the 70s that was instigated by the OPEC’s (Oil Producing and Exporting Countries) cartel. Except that the situation now is not a mirror of the events of that past era when the cartel reduced their oil production inducing a "shortage" of this very precious commodity in order to force an increase in the world oil prices. Today, there is no shortage of oil anywhere in the world.

There’s also another whale of a difference in what motor sports was then, which was more just the pastime of the wealthy, as compared to what it is now — a multi million industry that employs thousands of Filipinos who would be displaced if such an unstudied measure would be hastily put into effect.

Then there’s also the sport’s moral significance as a very effective option or alternative for the youth, instead of just having an idle mind and body or worse a dependence on prohibited drugs. I was very surprised to know how some of the popular and highly competitive motor sports icons were timely snatched by the sport from such a decadent existence in their youth while some were already into it but were weaned out due to motor sport’s irresistible lure.

So, let’s not be hasty in our treatment of motor sports. Its social value is something that cannot just be ignored especially if only to divert the public’s attention from the more critical and crucial issues that presently confront the nation.

Like A Baby’s Hands — It’s Close, Open

Many BF Homes Parañaque homeowners, especially those who have business establishments inside and similarly those who have been complaining of the excessive fees that the UBFHI, the mother homeowners’ association, have been imposing on any commercial vehicle that enters the subdivision, even for deliveries to its own homeowners, breathe a sigh of relief when the present no nonsense hands-on Mayor of Paranaque took over the main gates and opened it for all vehicles last week.

But then, the reaction of the present president of UBFHI, Celso Reyes, reportedly in retaliation to Mayor Jun Bernabe’s course of action to a long-time homeowners’ plight, was to close all the other alternate gates forcing all vehicles to pass through the subdivision’s main thoroughfare, Aguirre Avenue. Of course, the resulting scenario was mayhem and traffic gridlock.

Was this measure deliberately done by this very controversial association president in order to inconvenience all the residents of BF Homes and therefore generate ill-will towards Mayor Jun and his strong-willed decision to once and for all do something about the residents’ woes?

Well, whatever, the gates are again being manned by BF Homes security guards and I guess again merrily collecting "king’s ransom" for entrance fees, even for deliveries to homeowners.

But knowing the persona behind the soft-spoken but strong-willed present Mayor of Parañaque, the story is far from having the words "The End" written. The saga of the "close-open" gates of BF Homes continues.

Another Audi Comes To The Country

public test drive that attracted businessmen, young professionals, auto enthusiasts and aficionados plus some members of the motoring media aptly launched the latest Audi models to reach Philippine shores — the Audi A4 2.0 multitronic sedan and the Audi A4 2.0 Avant (station wagon).

PGA Cars made sure everybody would be most comfortable during the "test drive cum launch" by setting up air-conditioned tents within the Fort Bonifacio Global City where guests were feted to a buffet of drinks, pastries and hors d’oeuvres while learning more about the models that PGA Cars describe as "bristling with the latest technology" or just waiting for their turn to have a hands-on experience driving or riding the Audi A4s.

The A4s are vaunted to offer power, smoothness and easy handling courtesy of a 2.0 liter engine coupled to a 7-speed "multitronic" transmission and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

Mike Coyuito, PGA Cars president may have his hands full after the test drive considering the very positive response and personal reviews from those who had the first-hand driving experience. I would have to wait till PGA Cars marketing top man, Amado Del Rosario makes good his offer for me to test drive the A4s before I can make my own appraisal. But judging from what I hear about the car, PGA Cars may be having a busy showroom these days.

More Convenience For Thule Customers

It’s showroom number two for Thule (Sweden) Philippines as their latest outlet opened along Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati’s "automobile row" last Friday, September 2 with appropriate fanfare in the presence of invited members of the motoring media and those from the automotive industry.

Special guests during the simple ribbon-cutting ceremonies included Swedish Minister Ulf Walden from the Embassy of Sweden and Martin Olsson, Thule’s area sales manager for Southeast Asia.

Erwin Versoza, the young and aggressive president of Thule EGR Philippines who played gracious host during the evening affair expressed his satisfaction over the acceptance in the Philippines of the range of Thule products, which centers on the safe and convenient carrying of almost all types of light cargoes in vehicles.

With the Pasong Tamo Extension showroom outlet complementing Thule’s first that’s located along Ortigas Avenue in Greenhills, its customers are now assured of convenience and better accessibility to their products.

Congratulations to Thule Philippines!

Pit Lane Notes

The Italian Grand Prix was Juan Pablo Montoya’s dream come true. He was a picture of perfection from qualifying to the race itself. With a little help from Kimi Raikkonen’s long streak of bad luck spanning the entire race weekend, JPM claimed his first ever pole as part of the McLaren Mercedes team in Monza, and he also won the GP. Teammate Kimi was relegated to 4th place, and the Renault tandem of Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fischella claimed 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Despite his 4th place finish, Kimi showed some pretty spectacular driving. He started from 11th on the grid due to an engine change in spite of registering the fastest time in qualifying. We can safely say that if he didn’t go through all those miscues, it could have been a sure podium finish for him — not to mention a better chance of approximating the title.

Prior to the race, Michael Schumacher issued a warning to his loyal fans: do not expect a podium in Monza. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting pretty fed up with his attitude. Instead of thinking "Woe is me, my four year streak will be coming to an end anyway, so don’t expect me to go all out anymore," why doesn’t he, oh I don’t know, focus his energy on winning instead? Yes, mathematically, he’s out of the running for the Driver’s Championship. But I don’t think he realizes that there are kids and teens out there who worship him — what kind of message does all this negativity send out?

Motoring Tip Of The Week

Readers Gary Y. Reyes and Rey Perlas wrote in to ask regarding one of our weekly motoring tips centering on what to do in case you find your accelerator stuck on the floor while driving and your speed increasing as a result and you need to stop your vehicle fast or face horrendous consequences.

Rey asked if shifting down to lower gears can help slow down the vehicle? The answer is a definite yes, if you have the time. And this option is not limited to manual transmissions but can be done to vehicles that are automatic. Of course, the possibility of wrecking your transmission is not remote but it should be the least of your worries, that is, if you want to live long.

Gary asked why not use the handbrake? At top speeds, going for the handbrake to stop your car may not be the safest option. If your vehicle has ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), slamming on your brakes may be a better one as you can still steer and maneuver your vehicle while braking.

Happy Motoring!!!

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