Floirendo tries mettle in Ferrari Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran Filipino driver Vincent Floirendo revs up for his historic stint in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli 2014, one of the most successful one-make racing series in the world.

A two-time Driver of the Year of the Yokohama Philippine GT Championship Series, Floirendo will mark a milestone for Phl motorsports as he races on board his Ferrari 458 Challenge in the 2014 series’ inaugural leg in Sepang, Malaysia from Feb. 21-23.

“Racing is my passion and more so now that I’m driving for Ferrari and representing the Phl. It’s a dream come true for me. It will be very exciting and of course, pressure para sa akin (pressure to deliver is there),” the seasoned racer in karting, circuit and Formula 3 competitions said.

“It’s a level up for me; this will be my first time to race abroad so I’m going to feel my way through. But I’ll do my best to be able to give a good fight,” said Floirendo, who will be up against rivals from Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea.

Floirendo was formally introduced as the first-ever Pinoy bet in the Ferrari Challenge. He will be competing in the Trofeo Pirelli classification in Asia-Pacific side of the Ferrari Challenge, which will also have stops in Sydney (April 13), Shanghai (June 8), Korea (July 6), and Fuji (Aug. 24) before culminating in the world finals in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 7.

“We congratulate Vincent Floirendo for taking up this exciting and history-making challenge for the Philippines. Ferrari and its official dealers are the only ones allowed to enter cars in this racing series. We will support him all the way and hope this inspires more Filipino drivers to participate in motor sports,” said Marc Soong, executive director of Autostrada Motore Inc., the official importer and distributor of Ferrari cars in the Philippines.

Davao pride Floirendo will be using the new Ferrari 458 Challenge EVO, a package of aerodynamic improvements such as Manettino dial, CCM2 Brakes, dual clutch gearbox and more. Cars will be produced in Italy and flown directly to the racetrack in Asia.

“For a first-timer, I think Vincent has the credentials and will do well,” said Soong.

Floirendo is training in Clark and will fly to Sepang on Wednesday.