Motorsports aces feted in Golden Wheel rites

MANILA, Philippines - The Golden Wheel Awards Night honors the top motorsports achievers last year in elaborate rites on March 16 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Club Mwah Follies will grace the 10th year staging of the annual event organized by the Golden Wheel Foundation for the development of Philippine motorsports.

Up for grabs are the Golden Wheel Driver of the Year and International Driver of the Year awards.

The champions of various racing events are automatic nominees for the coveted motorsports awards, including Vencer John Suba (karting), Alex Perez (drifting), Peewee Mendiola (slalom), Vincent Floirendo (grand touring), Red Diwa (4x4 offroad), Jonathan Tiu (drag racing), Rodney Caballero (classic cars), Glenn Aguilar (motocross), Raniel Resuello (superbikes, Anthony Roman (underbone racing) and Miko Montano (scooters).

Last year, Vincent Floirendo of Davao bagged the highest honors with the Yokohama Grand Touring Car champion eyeing back-to-back Driver of the Year plum following a pair of runner-up finishes in the Grand Touring races.

Karting queen Michelle Bumgarner became the first back-to-back winner in 2003-04, while drag racing champ Jonathan Tiu duplicated the feat in 2008-09.

Only four champs yet were feted with the International Driver of the Year honors – Glenn Aguilar in 2005 for Asian motocross, Tyson Sy in 2006 for Asian Formula 3 and Stefano Marcelo (2007) and Juha Turalba (2008) both for Asian karting.

For details, call the Golden Wheel Foundation c/o Rose Feria or Meann Daliva at 817-2241.