Drifter steals show at the Hot Air balloon fiesta

MANILA, Philippines - Lance Feliciano, the only Filipino to be issued a competition license by the United States’ Formula D Series, a championship for professional drift drivers, drew a huge crowd during the 14th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark Airfield, Pampanga recently.

Feliciano, who was flagged-off by veteran touring car champion Kookie Ramirez and Riz Dalangin of BF Goodrich, performed a spectacular drifting exhibition on the runway of the Air Force City, where he executed Scandinavian drifts, snappy transitions and tire burns to the delight of the amused crowd.

He elicited gasps and squeals when he ran tight “doughnuts” (consecutive 360-degree turns) around selected members of the audience, including Kim Atienza, the host of Umagang Kay Ganda of ABS-CBN.

According to Feliciano, “Drifting involves precision and you need to have a well-tuned, perfectly conditioned, rear-wheel drive car with a good suspension and tires that can stand the strain of drifting.”

“You can go through a full set of tires in less than a day of competition, which is why it is important to have excellent rubber mounted on your wheels like BF Goodrich,” he added.

The 22-year-old Feliciano, who is supported by BF Goodrich, Whiz Oil, Spyder, Starbright Body Kits, Rapidé, Drift Mags, K92 Paint, Standox, Zee Car Suspension, LF Performance and tsikot.com, is the only Filipino competing in the US Formula D series.

He joined an elite circle of only 38 professional Formula D drivers when he won the requisite eight qualifying events in 2006 at the age of 19. Feliciano edged out 55 other drivers at the Irwindale Speedway and took home the championship plus a slot in the Nationals in Laughlin, Las Vegas. Feliciano continued to compete in 2007 and 2008, landing on the podium several times.