Pastor surges to international fame in 56th Macau Grand Prix

MANILA, Philippines - Only a few hopefuls could have imagined a young Filipino could join the likes of world-renowned Michael and Ralf Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen at this competitive time in motor racing.

But at the recent 56th Macau Grand Prix held Nov. 19-22, Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor took that vision closer to reality, blazing through the Guia Circuit to grab a spot on the coveted podium once (or twice) occupied by the Schumachers, Senna and other auto racing legends several years back.

The 27-year old first-time participant placed third in the Macau CTM Cup in 34 mins, 16.307 seconds, getting beaten by Hong Kong’s Lo Ka Fai (34:11.055) and Kenneth Look (34:14.466).

What many spectators were not aware of was that the Pastor clan had to overcome a major hurdle just barely a week before the four-day racing event.

“We didn’t expect to win this one because the souped-up car (with 250 horsepower) we ordered for the race had to be replaced by a Honda DC5 N1 stock car (with 220 hp). We were able to do so just two hours before the scrutineering deadline,” Tom Pastor, father-manager of Enzo, said.

Enzo’s podium win in Macau is a Filipino first since the late Arsenio “Dodgie” Laurel’s double championships over 40 years ago, but the first Asian Formula Renault Series champion promises to come back next year to finally seize the Asian Championship CTM Cup with “a competitive car this time.”

For the Team T.E.C. Pilipinas standout, there’s nowhere to go but up. The dream to become one of the best in the world of auto racing is turning out to be more and more reachable with every race to the finish line.

Enzo plans to compete in the next AFOS-ATCC race in Malaysia and, if he is truly geared up for it, the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Europe in June 2010, “because he knows very well he can make it to the top,” said Tom, whose son is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

With that mettle and heart, the Filipinos are sure to be right behind him.