With racing celebrities Monching and Tonton Gutierrez bannering the Dickies Racing Team, officials of the world’s popular workwear expressed confidence of a possible worthy showing in the April 13-14 event.
"I like our chances especially with Monching and Tonton around," said Dody Arcaya, Dickies vice-president for sales and marketing, in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Holiday Inn hotel.
Arcaya was accompanied by Monching and race director Chris Fajardo in the Agfa Color and Red Bull-sponsored session.
A former teen idol, Monching will be back to defend his challenge Cup title while his brother Tonton makes a return to the racing circuit after a year-long absence.
Together, the Gutierrez brothers are among the latest celebrities to become members of the Dickies family, that counts among its endorsers popular Hollywood actors Nicolas Cage and Bruce Willis as well as baseball superstar Sammy Sosa.
They likewise follow into the footsteps of Trent Owens, nephew of seven-time National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) champion Richard Petty. Owens is competing for the Dickies Racing Team and will drive a No. 15 Dickies Ford F-150 in the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
"I’m excited and at the same time, proud to be a part of the Dickies Racing Team.Hopefully, I’ll be able to win again," said Monching, also a winner in the 1999 Goma Cup.
Apart from the SVI-Subic Grand Prix, Dickies Racing Team will also join the exciting Philippine Touring Car and Philippine Junior Car at the Batangas Racing Circuit.
Dickies’ involvement in motor sports, however, doesn’t end in joining competitions. Arcaya stressed that the team will also stress the importance of safety driving, organize clinics and even lead events which will add color to the already vibrant racing scene.