Fast Lane

The very first book on Philippine motor sports is now available. It's Fast Lane, a 224-page coffeetable book, authored by Jhunep Ocampo.

This hardbound edition, in limited copies, highlights the historic Cebu Grand Prix on its cover. Thus, it is just fitting to have a second launching of this book here in Cebu, said Ocampo in an interview with The Freeman last September 9 at theKart Zone where the launching took place.

Fast Lane, which Ocampo did in a space of six months (started November last year), chronicles the development of Philippine car racing from the '50s to the present. The book presents the history of car racing in the country, hundreds of photographs immortalizing racing enthusiasts' victories (and accidents), and a variety of cars used during those times and now: saloon cars, go-karts, formula cars, rally cars and offroad vehicles.

Ocampo started as a sportswriter in 1987, and moved to The Philippine Star in 1998. He retired from journalism as motoring editor in 2003, to head RightMedia Communications, a public relations company. He edits DRIVE, the bimonthly magazine of the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP).

The book's front cover features the cars of different makes and models which were flagged off for the first Philippine Grand Prix in Cebu City in 1969. Its back cover is a picture of Gedol Great Philippine Rally in 1975, Davao City. This book, Ocampo said, is a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the AAP. Since 1951, the AAP (then Philippine Motor Association), has been the representative of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the world's governing body of motor sports. Thus, it is only fitting that the AAP comes out with this book that highlights the development of motor sports- particularly car racing-in this part of the world.

In making this collector's item-as how Ocampo regards the book-the writer combed through hundreds of yellowing scrapbooks and albums for never-before-published photographs, interviewed the pioneers of Philippine car racing Bill Martinez (Dodjie Laurel's close friend) Bobby Smith-a veteran dragster; Pocholo Ramirez-a circuit racing institution; and Sammy Sycip-a pioneer of karting and saloon car racing. He also went over thousands of already brittle newspaper clippings to present a panorama of the development of the country's motor sports from the '50s to the present.

Ocampo also vividly features the early days of Dodjie Laurel, the country's top car racer who died while racing in 1967 to hopefully win his third Macau Grand Prix trophy. "Fresh on the third lap, the unimaginable happened. With the field streaming through, Dodjie apparently lost control of his car at the hi-speed Yacht Club Bend, a bumpy stretch where wheels often lose contact with the track. His car pointed towards the crowd and he corrected it. But instead of facing the track, the car turned towards the seawall, hit a lamppost, overturned and slammed onto the wall, exploading into flames. Dodjie was trapped underneath and was already dead when paramedics extracted him amidst the huge column of black smoke that swirled up into the sky," read a portion of the book.

Dodjie, who was considered the Father of Phil Motor Sports, was the 1962 and '63 winner of Macau Grand Prix. Roberto "Baby" Luna, 34, also a Cam Wrecker member, is featured here. Luna, figured in an accident in 1970 while practicing in a race track with his friend and fellow Cam Wrecker Sammy Sycip. "He was halfway into the track, as he exited a blind curve he saw a Toyota Crown coming his way. He tried to stop..." Luna died immediately after.

The Toyota Crown that slammed on Luna's race car was driven by a 13-year-old boy.

For P2,000, this book, is definitely a good buy. It also features-- stories and pictures--the Cam Wreckers, the races in Cebu, Manila, Greehills, BF El Grande, the great car rallies, and many more. "Finally, there's a book that reminds them of the story of Philippine motor sports," said Ocampo referring to all sports enthusiasts and book collectors.