50 karters vie in PIKP GMA Cup

The seventh Philippine International Karting Prix is all set to welcome more than 50 expected foreign and local karters who will be competing for this year’s GMA Cup to be held at the Luneta today and tomorrow.

The Presidential Cup Series is organized by the Phil-International Karting Prix Association (PIKPA) and the Automotive Dealers Association of the Philippines (ADAP) in coordination with the Office of the President and the Department of Tourism.

Some government agencies and private corporations have made possible the holding of this year’s event. PCSO, DOT, PSC, PAGCOR, Land Bank and BIR represent government support by providing some funding while the corporate sponsors include Holiday Inn, Grand Blvd Hotel, Allied Bank, Action House, Asia Brewery, Castrol Oil, Elite Machine, Platinum Plans, Testech and Montimara Sports.

To ensure overall safety during the two-day karting prix, DPWH is securing the Luneta Grandstand and racetrack while PNP and DOH will provide police protection, ambulance and medical crew.

The PIKP has been recognized by the National Historical Institute (NHI) for its role in Philippine sports and in helping boost tourism in the country. It has placed the country in the world map of Formula car and kart racers by holding international karting prix in the country and winning racing competitions here and abroad.

Go karting was introduced in the country in 1962 by the late Dodgie Laurel. Since then, it has served as an inspiration to Greg Gutierrez Jr., ADAP chairman and PIKP president, who organized the first PIKP in 1974 with a Presidential Proclamation by the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.

World Champion Terry Fullerton of England won the Marcos Cup in 1974 and again in 1975. Subsequent international winners featured Japan’s Sushei Taniguchi for Cory’s Cup in 1989 while the 1997 FVR Cup went to Britain’s world champion Anthony Davidson.