Dennis Uy is well-oiled for the race of his life

I grew up tinkering with machines,” says Dennis Uy, member of team Seaoil.

Dennis is currently running fourth overall in the Philippine Touring Car Championships (PTCC). “Even when I was in grade school I was fascinated with how cars work. I guess it explains why I am now the GM and COO of Velocity Motors & Collision Specialists.”

It was not difficult to get Dennis to talk about his passion for driving cars, fixing engines, and making better motor oils — after all, he has spent most of his life working in the automotive industry.

Results-oriented, a go-getter and a team player with years of exposure to the multi-faceted world of business: that’s Dennis. But working with engines is what powers his life.

“I am passionate about cars,” he says. “No matter how many years I have spent in the industry there is always something new that I can learn.”

Dennis started working in the automotive industry in 1992. He started out as a mechanical technician at Toyota Motors. He was eventually promoted to service advisor for the service department. He has also worked in Nissan Gallery Ortigas, and Honda Cars Caloocan. 

As a race car driver Dennis is the lead racer of Team Seaoil/Velocity Racing. He currently does the technical support for Seaoil racing development. He is the endorser, product development man and indirect marketing officer for Seaoil products.

“I have to make sure that the products I endorse really work well on the car,” shares Dennis. “I know that people who value their cars will listen to the experts when it comes to what is the best product for their engine.”

PHILIPPINE STAR: What is it about cars that you love?

DENNIS UY: I really love to see how an engine works. I love checking under the hood to see how cars are powered, and I also love taking cars to their limits in terms of speed and performance.

What thrill do you get from going fast?

Most of my friends love cars, too. I guess for us it’s the adrenaline rush that keeps us hooked on car racing. I have an unquenchable craving for fast cars, maybe because I started racing at a young age.

How young? 

I was in sixth grade when I started studying how cars work. I would tinker with the clocks and radios at home — I also loved to watch when the car was being repaired, and observed just how the repair was being done.

I took an elective in high school called automotive. It was then that I started to learn more about the technical aspect of car engines.

Just cars?

Yes. I used to wonder how all the pieces of metal were put together, and how they worked together to create the power that drove the tires. I started doing my own experiments with the cars in school.

Is this also about the same time you started racing?

Yes. I was a Saturday night racecar driver in 1983. I used to join the drag races in the Greenhills area. I had a Lancer L-type.  

Were there any girls interested in racing at the time?

I guess the girls who came to watch the races were mostly friends of ours. But that’s no longer true today. There are girl racers who like to have flashy paintjobs done on their cars.

Is racing still largely a guy’s sport?

I would have to say yes. I guess that most men are more aggressive than the women. Guys are more willing to take risks while driving and girls tend to drive on the safe side or we have more guts to go faster than the girls. But I must also add that there are some girls who like to take their cars to the limit. Girls are associated with debuts and modeling.

Are race care drivers careful drivers?

The discipline that I learned from racing has taught me to be a good driver on the road. I know that the proper venue to release my stress, tension or even aggression is on the track because it is a controlled environment. 

Why did you start racing professionally only six years ago?

My parents never really agreed with my pursuing the sport. But for me, this is what I have always wanted to do.

What makes a good race driver?

Focus and determination are two qualities that every car racer should have. My parents have gotten used to the idea of my racing but they still worry about me a lot.

What drives you to race?

I guess it’s my wanting to excel in a sport I can do well. When I am in a car on the track, I am the happiest guy on the planet. 

What about working under the hood, is that also your passion?

I want to give my customers the best service for their cars. I provide the same great service that the high-end car manufacturers give. But, here, we charge less than what a casa would. We are a multi-branded shop. We don’t just repair Porsches; we also do repairs on Ferraris, Lambhourginis and Benzes. We also have the expertise to repair big SUVs and Range Rovers. 

Are you as hands-on here as you are on the racetrack?

Aside from the financial and administrative aspects of my work, I also handle a lot of the technical problems. I have been in the business for almost 18 years and more often than not I am able to give an accurate assessment of a car’s problems. 

What is the best touring racecar?

Honda has the best engines. No other car in the same class has been able to surpass Honda in terms of horsepower output.  Given that two car brands have 1600 cc engines, the better one would be Honda.

As a racer if I am going to engage I am going to make sure that the car of my choice is a car that will bring me to the podium. That car is a Honda.

Is your racecar really well-oiled?

It is good for any motor oil company to join a motor sport. It is good for them to compete and to support a team because when that team starts winning, chances are the victory will be attributed to the kind of oil the car uses. 

I want to make sure that before we give the product to the public, it is tested and tested and tested. I don’t want the product to bum out when it is being presented. Anytime any one person experiences something that is not good with the product, that spreads. I am happy with Seaoil because they not only listen to me, they have also included me in their research development arm. That is why I take my team endorsement of the product very seriously. I have to protect the reputation of Seaoil because Pinoys listen to testimonials of people who are credible. And they do follow.  People listen to what car drivers say, and they follow our advice.

Why do you race?

I am very competitive and I love to win.