Fund lack derails Pastor’s stint in Asian Formula race

2002 Asian Formula Renault champion Enzo Pastor is still unsure as to whether he will be able to compete in the Macau Grand Prix, which is scheduled for this weekend, owing to a dearth of sponsors.

"Enzo is now in Macau where he’s anxiously waiting for news if he’s going to be able to race on Sunday," Tom, Enzo’s father, said. "We are very thankful for the help that we’ve received thus far from the San Miguel Corporation, Cebu Pacific Air, and private individuals, but our funds are still not enough to pay for his ride with the top-ranked Meritus Team.

"As of today, Enzo has been given second preference over the car that we’ve been trying to reserve for him. I am hoping that we can still find additional sponsors who can help us raise to complete the $35,000 that he needs to run in the race and I’d like to make a last ditch appeal to all corporate entities and government agencies to help us."

The 21-year-old Enzo is slated to participate in the Formula Renault category of the Macau Grand Prix, where he is possibly the Philippines’ brightest hope of winning at the prestigious event, since the late Arsenio "Dodjie" Laurel steered his Lotus Honda to victory in 1966. It will be recalled that the young Pastor qualified second in the event last year but was wiped out on the first lap after he swerved to avoid touching wheels with the leading car before coming into contact with a tire barrier.

Push comes to shove, all the preliminary pledges given shall be applied to the coming winter season series The Fran Am World Championship to be held on January thru February 2004 one-month long competition, which will be held in Florida, USA. He will also compete using a Formula Renault 2000, in which he became the first Filipino to win the Asian Formula Renault Championship last year when he brought glory to our country.