The 2019 Formula V1 Season Is Officially Open!
Last May 8, the Manila Polo Club was the place to be for many of the fastest drivers in the country as Tuason Racing officially launched the 2019 Giti-Formula V1 Challenge. A trio of V1 cars were parked overlooking the Polo Club’s lush green field as host Issa Litton greeted the crowd of drivers, team owners, sponsors, celebrity guests, and media.
Now in its second year, the homegrown single-seater race program has developed one of the biggest racing grids in the country as well as established itself as the highest form of racing available in the Philippines. Formula V1 has also solved the problem of motorsports sustainability by localizing the car–a collaboration between Tuason Racing and West Racing Cars Japan–for cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance.
Coinciding with Tuason Racing’s celebration of 20 years in the business, the 2019 season is the continuing realization of JP Tuason’s dream. The CEO and founder shared that “when I was racing professionally a couple years back, I was lucky enough to be part of a racing generation that experienced the pinnacle of Philippine motorsports. I started with karting, graduated to circuit cars and was given a chance to race formula Toyotas locally and level up to compete in Formula 3 internationally. I have seen talents such as Michelle Bumgarner and Marlon Stockinger who not only dreamed of being in F1 but did so with a fighting chance of getting in.”
“Sadly due to uncontrollable events, motorsports took a step back. But lets stop looking at the past and move forward to the future–and it is bright.”
“With the growth of grassroots motorsports spearheaded by Toyota’s Vios Cup One Make Race program, racing is coming back with a vengeance. We at Tuason Racing in our long years in the motorsports business have always believed that Filipinos are made for racing, given the right opportunities and training, we can be a major player in any grid around the world. So when the this opportunity crossed our paths three years ago, we believed that this is the next important step in rebuilding Philippine motorsports and making Filipino Global Racing Champions.”
Formula V1’s key sponsors then took to the stage, GT Radial Philippines Director for Sales & Marketing Mr. Mannix Ocampo, wished the assembled racers well for the incoming season. “It has been our great pleasure to be part of the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge. Giti’s presence in the global motorsports stage has been an important part of our growth as a performance tire for higher racing disciplines. We wish you luck this season and may you have a safe and exciting race!”
Finally, Phoenix Pulse completed the 2019 grid by unveiling the winner of their
Young Drivers Program–Raffy Rabe, a 20-year old F.O.R.S. champion, will be taking the drivers seat for the Phoenix Racing Team.
The next time these drivers all assemble again would be on May 18 at Batangas Racing Circuit for Round 1, and Clark International Speedway for Rounds 2 and 3. See you there!
