AAP honors Anton as driver of the year

MANILA, Philippines - Baguio City’s champion racer Carlos Anton was feted during the Automobile Association of the Philippines 17th Annual Awards as Driver of the Year for 2011.

It was Anton’s fifth consecutive award from the AAP for hillclimb racing with the big support of Mark Young Racing, Yokohama, Castrol lubricants, MP Turbo, Hornitex, Mohspeed, Prince Plaza Hotel, Sizzling Plate, Home Outlet, Wash and Where, Autoshack, Chi Plus Mini Mart and Thermotec.

Anton’s first Driver of the Year Award came way back in 1996 in the field of rallycross.

“Being there during the first year they gave this award in 1996 and still getting one today is truly special. I thank the good Lord for helping me win and keeping me safe all these years,” Anton said after receiving the award.

The Mark Young-Yokohama-Castrol backed Anton topped the time sheets in every round of the 2011 Hillclimb Championships last year. He used the Mark Young prepared CRX with a MohSpeed tuned engine on Yokohama A050 intermediate tires to continue his dominance of the series since it began in 2007.

Anton has concentrated on hillclimb racing the past years but is also a multi-awarded racer in other fields.

Over 23 years of racing has seen him win championships in karting, slalom, rallycross, rallysprint, circuit racing, formula racing and autocross.

Just last month he recorded a new lap record for the short track in Batangas, his clocking of 1:28.07 eclipsing the old record by almost 5 seconds.

“The AAP award for Driver of the Year is the top award any racing driver can get so I really cherish each one that has been given to me. They have also sponsored me in International Gymkhana Competitions in the past and I am very thankful for that,” Anton said.