With regards to the carting competitors, Hans adds, "Its really very different from the rest. Most of our first-time customers enter expecting a carnival type set-up for kids, but the track is really for teenagers and professionals. With electronics built into the skid-free asphalt, the entire facility is completely computerized. You can change the speed of the carts by remote control, and you can get your lap time from a computer print out or the digital billboard. Our customers even have to wear professional race suits, helmets, and cloth masks."
YStyle: Do you have any races coming up?
Angelo Barretto: Were preparing for the 50th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix which is the probably the most prestigious cup in Asia. We want to do well there since we do have a history of Filipinos that have received awards from running performances in Macau from the likes of Dodgie Laurel, Pocholo Ramirez, and Toto Cruz.
But you just got back from Italy for work, right?
Yeah. I was out testing with Alpha Romeo in Valla Lungga in Italy. Its 30 minutes north of Rome by car in the autostrada. I had to try out an Alpha Romeo car.
Sounds like a dream go to Italy just to try out a race car?
The not-so-glamorous part of going racing is the tight schedule involved. Five minutes after arriving at the Italian airport, you take a half-hour car ride to the race track. Then, you have to set up the car and do three hours of whatever is needed to get the car running quickly. Right after, you need to jump back into the road and go straight to the plane to get back to Asia. Thats the work which people dont see all the time, but thats what makes you better when you finally go on the race track.
How do you feel about being an upcoming personality and your endorsement for PLDT?
I look at all these things as a part of my job. Although the PLDT campaign is still new in the Philippines, our team already has a few billboards in Italy from our eyewear sponsor as well as in France from our tire sponsor. From all this, Ive learned that becoming a celebrity means that you can inspire other people such as kids who want to be race car drivers or Filipinos in general who want to have a more positive image. Also, it means that you have to be more careful with what you do. Even if we live in a country where theres a disregard for common road rules, you have to set an example. I cant be the one to be passing on the wrong side of the road and honking my horn at the jeepney driver. Its funny how people listen to you because they think that youre coming from a position of expertise.
How did you get into road car racing in the first place?
Ive always enjoyed the competitive side of anything, from games on foot to RC cars. I guess with road cars, you break set boundaries. A lot of my influences are based on preconceived notions that the Pinoy cant do it or the Pinoy cant get that far. Little by little, I think that people will change the way we are perceived in international motor sports.
So you see a higher role that you play with what youre doing now?
I see racing as my contribution to jumpstarting something good for the country. Even if I didnt grow up with role models like Michael Schumacher. Id like people to look up to what I did and follow by example later on.
So what does an international race driver such as yourself have to say about go-carting?
As its just throttle and break, you learn a lot of things like mostly steering at an angle. Its a great way for friends to get together but once on the track, theyll learn more than bumping and turning like in Playstation. The element of taking the car out with your friends is what makes it fun. There in the other side of the world, behind the wheel of an Alpha Romeo or a Porsche 996, its work. You cant take a break. You cant say youre tired. You cant say "bukas na lang." You cant say the car is slow because theres all this electronic equipment which says what you actually did. So here, its fun, and there, its work.
So what are the differences between professional road car racing and recreational go-carting?
The biggest difference is the cost involved. Here, you spend about 500 pesos for 12 minutes of maxed out carting. There, in shorter than 12 minutes, you can max out the car, spin, crash into the wall, and pay a 200 thousand dollar bill. Also, the drivers gear is different. The drivers suit of go-carting is just abrasion-resistant while the Grand Touring car suit is fire proof. Another difference is the speed. Normal people who would ride in our race car would be very afraid while we, on the other hand, can think of other things like the last song on the radio since its already natural for us.
So whats your forecast for the go-carting and road car fanatics out there?
Go-carting is the best introduction to racing. You get your skills on the go cart track and move up step-by-step but never higher or faster than you can go. From go-carting, you can figure out if racing is what you really want to do in life. In fact, carting is probably what set it off for all these Filipinos who are doing Asian Formula 3 right now. At this rate, with the kids doing 50cc to 80cc in the cadet class and Formula BMWs these days, we should have a kid in the Formula 1 race in hopefully five years.