Pastor hurdles Macau: Pinoy does it aboard low-powered car

MANILA, Philippines - The man of the hour gets out of the car upon crossing the finish line of the Circuito da Guia, thousands of miles away from his birthplace in Manila, Philippines. With tears of bliss and nationalistic pride, he rouses up the predominantly Chinese locals at the stands, celebrating his much-unforeseen podium win in the 56th Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix with only a few of his kababayans, most of them flying to the foreign city for the rare opportunity to witness a Filipino in the race. Most of them were close relatives and loved ones of his.

The man is 27-year old Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor – first Asian Formula Renault Series champion in 2002; Formula 3 from 2003-2006; USA Barber Formula Dodge National Series in 2006; Philippine National Touring in 2009. He is the second son of Tom Pastor, who himself was a Super Car racing champion in 1999. All are but impressive credentials, nonetheless futile coming into the “Monaco Grand Prix of Asia,” with a 250-horsepowered race car that failed to pass the homolgation certification a week before the esteemed event.

Fortunately, Team T.E.C. Pilipinas (owned and managed by Tom) found a Honda DC5 N1 stock car for Enzo just barely two hours before the scrutineering deadline. Unfortunately, the stock car had a 220-hp engine (to go up against 35 other cars mostly equipped with 250 to 280-hp engines – Group A racecar spec.). Fortunately, the car passed the inspection stage. Unfortunately, it would be his first time to race and right-hand drive such bail-out vehicle.

With odds against him, Enzo endures all of his car’s shortcomings to qualify for the Nov. 21 race day proper at the Guia Circuit, known for its notorious Lisboa Bend, where several winners and losers surface for varied causes (both monumental and fatal) at the end of every series.

Race day. With his skills in the back-winding mountainous areas of the track, Enzo regains whatever ground he has lost in the long straights. On the last leg, he finds himself neck-and-neck with another driver, switching leads with every maneuver. Finally, at the very last turn on the Lisboa Bend, Enzo chases after his opponent, glides through the circuit, and finishes the competition in historic third place (with time: 34:14:307), just behind Hong Kong’s Lo Ka Fai (34:11:055) and Kenneth Look. An unexpected winner sure has emerged.

History’s been made as the Filipino speedster’s triumph in Macau stands as the single notable showing of the country in more than 40 years (after the 1962 and 1963 championships won by the late Arsenio “Dodgie” Laurel). Other names in the international auto-racing scene that had prevailed in the past Macau GP series include F1 greats Ayrton Senna, Riccardo Patrese, Michael and Ralf Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen.

And now on the platform from where he stood, Enzo raises his Macau CTM Cup — a picture not many racing aficionados (including him) could have anticipated at the end of the run. With the trophy in one hand, a champagne bottle in the other and a wreath over his shoulder, the still stunned victor, sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Bench and Pagcor Sports, announces before the crowd of his comeback next season, as a hungry challenger still, rather than a returning winner.

“We shall return next year and we’ll make sure the team builds its own car to represent the Philippines again. We hope that by next year, we’ll be more prepared and have a two-car team entry,” said Tom, whose younger son, Don Pastor, failed to make the Grand Prix lineup due to lack of available slots for a first time Philippine team.

Meanwhile, as Enzo gears for the 57th Macau GP, he is set to participate in other national and international events including the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Europe in June 2010 as independent entry on chosen racing circuits.

With the creation of the “competitive car” under way and skills constantly advancing after every race, there is little doubt of Enzo’s ability to repeat his winning performance next time around. Optimistically then, a larger Filipino crowd will be there at the bleachers, (optimistically, will be seen in live telecast) celebrating another victory of our nation’s pride.