SMC gives Coseteng full support in Macau Grand Prix

Philippine national touring car champion Jody Coseteng tests his mettle against some of the world’s best motor racers this month in the prestigious Guia Race, one the centerpieces of the 2004 Macau Grand Prix Nov. 20-21.

After putting brand San Miguel in the pole position for several seasons in local touring car circuits, Coseteng again earned the nod of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to suit up in the Macau Grand Prix with the trade name and logo of the company’s world-renowned flagship product San Miguel Beer. Team San Miguel Beer’s Coseteng will also be supported by Caltex Havoline.

"It makes me truly proud to carry both the Philippine colors and our quality famous San Miguel Beer in my pursuit of the coveted Guia Race trophy," said Coseteng, a consistent figure in the winners’ podium of touring car competitions in the Subic and Batangas racing circuits this year.

Among those that the Filipino ace will go up against in Macau include European Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx, FIA ETCC Independents titlist Tom Coronel and the Guia Race winner of the last three years, Duncan Huisman.

Coseteng will be driving a BMW 320i E46 which won the German round of the 2004 European Touring Car Championship Series. Especially prepared by BMW Team Engstler, it is one of three cars that will be fielded by the team crew in the Guia race.

The car emblazoned with the number 12 and the familiar red and black logo of San Miguel Beer, is equipped with six-speed sequential transmission and carries 290 horsepower with a red-line setting at 11,000 rpm.

This year’s 51st classic race edition will be a litmus test for 2005 when the FIA ETCC will become the World Touring Car Championship (FIA WTCC) with Macau chosen to host the final event of the season next year. Changes in the regulations have already been implemented for this year’s race: the touring cars will for the first time comply with the FIA’s Super 2000 regulations. The winner will be determined in two races consisting of eight rounds each on the demanding 6.2-kilometer Guia Circuit.

Coseteng will drive alongside team leader Franz Engstler and Thai driver Ratanakul Prutirat. Their cars will be serviced by German technicians from the BMW Autosport Munich Headquarters. The BMW Team Engstler fared prominently in last year’s Macau GP where two of its drivers ended up second and third on the podium.

The Filipino ace will head off to the Asian motorsport capital next week to attend the technical control and driver’s briefing and to familiarize himself with the car and the track in the official practice sessions. The time trials will be on Nov. 19.