9 Auto Racing Players in Philippines Best of All Time

Rob Bunker

Auto racing is one of the most popular sports in the Philippines, with a wide variety of drivers competing in various events.

The Philippines has produced some of the world’s best auto racing players, with a number of them making a name for themselves both nationally and internationally.

This article will highlight some of the best auto racing players from the Philippines, highlighting their accomplishments and why they are considered some of the best.

1. Bianca Bustamante

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Bianca Bustamante is a Filipino racing driver who is making a name for herself in the world of motorsport. She is currently competing for Prema Racing, one of the top racing teams in the world.

Prema Racing is a part of the Formula 1 family, and they compete in the feeder series, known as F1 Academy.

This is a series of races designed to give young drivers the chance to show their skills, and to gain experience in the world of racing. For Bianca, this is a chance to prove her talent and to make a name for herself in the world of motorsport.

She is already making waves in the world of racing, and she is sure to continue to impress in the F1 Academy series.

With her talent and determination, she is sure to be one of the top drivers in the series, and she could even make a move up to the big leagues of Formula 1 in the future.

2. Marlon Stöckinger

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Marlon Alexander Stöckinger is an impressive figure in the world of racing.

A Filipino-Swiss former racing driver, Stöckinger is notable for his success in Europe, having become the first Filipino to win a formula race in Europe while racing with Status Grand Prix in the 2012 GP3 Series. Prior to his success in Europe, Stöckinger had already established himself as a talented driver.

In 2006 he won the Asian Karting Championship, and in 2007 he became the Philippine Rotax Max Champion.

The following year he was the recipient of the Formula BMW Pacific Scholarship Award. Stöckinger’s accomplishments demonstrate his dedication to the sport and his talent as a driver.

He has achieved remarkable success in his career and is an inspiration for other young racers, particularly those from the Philippines. Stöckinger is an example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination.

3. Enzo Pastor

Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor was a Filipino racing driver who made history by being the first Filipino to have participated in the NASCAR Whelen Euroseries Open Championship race circuit.

Pastor began his racing career in 1999 when he entered the Toyota Corolla Cup race with a Toyota Corolla as his vehicle. He raced in this circuit for several years, becoming one of the most successful Filipino drivers in the sport.

Pastor’s career was marked by his ability to race in a variety of different cars and tracks. He often competed in open wheel racing, as well as in stock car, drag racing, and other forms of the sport.

He was a versatile driver who could adapt quickly to different styles of racing. Pastor’s success in the sport was also due to his determination and perseverance.

He worked hard to compete in a variety of different types of racing and was rewarded for his hard work with several prestigious awards, including the Philippine Motorsports Hall of Fame’s “Tribute to Excellence” award in 2007.

Overall, Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor was an impressive racing driver who made history by becoming the first Filipino to compete in the NASCAR Whelen Euroseries Open Championship race circuit. He was a remarkable competitor, always pushing himself to be the best that he could be.

His success and dedication to the sport will be remembered for years to come.

4. Gaby Dela Merced

Gabrielle Baltao Dela Merced is a multi-faceted individual whose career spans multiple fields. She is a Filipina racing driver, having gained recognition for her achievements in racing and competing in rallies and various motorsport events.

She was even the first Filipina to compete in the 24 Hours Nürburgring race in Germany. In addition, Gabrielle is also a model, having featured in various publications and appearing in fashion and beauty campaigns.

She is also a television personality, having been featured in various television shows, including the Philippine reality show “The Amazing Race Philippines.”Gabrielle is a true inspiration to many Filipinos, showing that with hard work and dedication anything is possible.

With her success in different fields of endeavor, she has proven that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. She is a living testament to the strength and courage of the Filipino people, and her example serves as an inspiration to many.

5. Jovy Marcelo

Jovy Marcelo was a Filipino race car driver from Quezon City, Philippines. He was widely known and respected in the racing community for his hard work and passion for the sport.

He had a successful career, winning multiple races and making a name for himself in the motorsports world. In 1992, Marcelo was set to compete in the Indianapolis 500, one of the most prestigious and renowned races in the world.

Sadly, he was killed in an accident during practice for the race. His death was a tremendous loss for the motorsports community and his family. Marcelo was an incredible driver who was taken from the world too soon.

Despite his brief career, he left a lasting legacy in the racing world and will always be remembered for his courage and passion for the sport.

6. Arsenio Laurel

Arsenio “Dodjie” Hidalgo Laurel was a highly-accomplished race car driver from the Philippines. His racing career spanned multiple decades and he was the first two-time winner of the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.

He won the race consecutively in 1962 and 1963, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest drivers of all time. Dodjie Laurel was well-known and respected for his driving skill and expertise.

He was known to be an aggressive driver but also possessed the finesse and precision required to win races.

He was renowned for his ability to handle his car in any conditions, whether it be wet or dry, and for his ability to come out on top in the most challenging of races. The Macau Grand Prix was one of the most prestigious races of the era and winning it twice was a huge accomplishment.

In 1962, Dodjie won the race in a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR, a car which was considered to be the fastest of its time.

The following year, he won the race in a Porsche 718, proving that he was a master of different cars and tracks. Dodjie Laurel’s legacy is still remembered today for his remarkable accomplishments. He was a champion of the Philippines and a true racing legend.

His skill behind the wheel, determination and sheer will to win made him one of the greatest drivers of all time.

7. Angelo Barretto

Angelo Barretto is an accomplished race car driver from the Philippines. He began his professional racing career in 1999 when he entered the European Sportscar Endurance Championships in the Group N class. His teammate in this event was Matthew Marsh, and they drove a BMW M3.

The pair had a successful debut and were contenders for the Rookie Championship. This was an impressive feat for two drivers making their first appearance in a prestigious racing series. Barretto’s performance in this event is just one example of his skill as a race car driver.

He has since gone on to win many races, including the Sepang and Macau Grand Prix in his native Philippines. He has also competed in the American Le Mans Series, as well as the Formula 3000 and Formula Atlantic.

His accomplishments demonstrate his commitment to racing excellence, and his ability to perform under pressure.

8. Don Pastor

Don Pastor is a Filipino-American racing driver who has made groundbreaking strides in the world of motorsports. He is the first Filipino-American to participate in the NASCAR Whelen Euroseries race circuit, a major accomplishment for him and the Filipino-American community.

His successes have been recognized with the 2010 Philippine Driver of the Year award for his achievements in the sport. In 2012, Pastor achieved an even greater milestone when he won the Global Time Attack race held at Buttonwillow, California.

This was a major accomplishment, as it was the first time a Filipino-American had ever won an event of this caliber. Pastor’s win was also an important moment in the motorsports world, as it was a testament to the talent and capability of Filipino-American drivers.

Don Pastor’s accomplishments are a source of great pride for the Filipino-American community and have served to inspire other aspiring drivers from the community.

His success highlights the potential for Filipino-Americans to become successful racers and has encouraged others to pursue their dreams in the field. Ultimately, Pastor’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into being a successful racer.

9. Pocholo Ramirez

José “Pocholo” del Rosario Ramírez de Arellano was a Filipino race car driver and television host who was affectionately known as “Tito Poch” or Pocholo Ramírez.

He was renowned for his impressive career in racing, which lasted for 45 years and made him a racing legend in the Philippines. Pocholo was a passionate racer, competing in various racing events in the country such as the Manila Grand Prix.

He was also a television host, appearing in programs such as “Tito Pocholo’s Racing Corner”.Pocholo was a highly respected figure in the Philippines, winning multiple awards for his contributions to the racing industry.

He was also a great advocate for safety in racing, encouraging young racers to prioritize their safety above all else.

His passion and dedication to the sport made him an inspiration to many Filipinos, who looked up to him as a role model. Pocholo was an advocate for health and fitness and often shared his own experiences to motivate the youth.

He was also an active member of the Filipino Motorsports Community, helping to organize various races and events in the country. Pocholo’s legacy lives on in the Philippines, with many of his fans still remembering him fondly.

His contributions to the racing industry will always be remembered and appreciated. He will forever remain a racing icon in the Philippines, a true legend that will never be forgotten.

Conclusion

The best auto racing players in the Philippines have proven to be some of the most talented and dedicated athletes in the world. These drivers have made a name for themselves in the Philippines and the world of auto racing.

They have pushed the boundaries of the sport and achieved amazing success. Their commitment and talent have earned them a well-deserved place in the history of auto racing.

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Rob Bunker

I am a professional race car driver at Rob Bunker Racing. I have been racing for more than 10 years and I love what I do. I came from a family of racers and was born in an area that has been known for its motorsports history. After high school, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a race car driver and pursued it with all my might. I began racing in 2005 and have since raced in many different series like the USA Racing Pro Cup, Indy Lights, IndyCar Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA Racing Series. LinkedIn