‘Finoy’ racing a ‘Perrari’

FLOIRENDO with a 458 Italia at the Autostrada Motore showroom

Mind your “Ps” and “Fs,” the grammar police constantly remind us. But in the world of motorsport, interchanging Ps and Fs may be a good thing, after all.

Especially when it involves a Pinoy and a Ferrari.

Years ago, the idea of the great prancing black horse that is the Ferrari brand galloping its way to the Philippines seemed as distant a dream as heaven was from earth. But the Soongs and their Autostrada Motore Inc. made the seemingly impossible a reality when, in 2012, they opened the Philippine dealership of the iconic brand from Maranello, Italy, in upscale Bonifacio Global City.

Despite the reality that 99.99 percent of Filipinos will never be able to own a supercar like a Ferrari, the fact that real, brand-new Ferrari cars now sit in a showroom right in Filipinos’ own turf remains a source of vicarious Pinoy pride.

But for a Filipino to race a Ferrari in an international event? In “Inception” movie terms, that would be a “dream within a dream,” indeed. Thus, when Autostrada Motore announced on Feb. 13 that veteran Filipino racer Vincent Floirendo would be competing at the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli 2014, motoring scribes were this close to slapping themselves in the face for a reality check. Marc Soong, the brains behind the venture, assured them that this was going to happen. But a looming “nightmare” had to be overcome first, and that would be the hunt for sponsorships for Floirendo and the team.

FLOIRENDO with Autostrada Motore Inc.’s Marc Soong, Luiz Muniz and Jason Soong. Photos by Tessa R. Salazar

“Since we are just about to kick off the first leg, we are open to sponsors to help support Team Autostrada Philippines. Ferrari has built a strong reputation in racing. It is another milestone not only for Autostrada but for Philippine motorsport to finally have the first representative from our country to compete in the Ferrari Challenge,” said Soong, executive director of Autostrada Motore.

Soong weighed in on the significance of the event, citing the following:

“1. It would be a Philippine flag waving at a prestigious race considered as among the most successful one-make racing series in the world.

“2. The Ferrari 458 Challenge Car that Floirendo would be driving generates unparalleled performance that over 2,400 drivers of 48 different nationalities have experienced since 1993. This is the Philippines’ chance to be part of such an exclusive, prestigious company.

“3. The competition is another avenue to make known to the world that Filipinos have the strength and skills to take on international races such as the Ferrari Challenge. The Ferrari Challenge is a drivers’ competition, dedicated to nonprofessional drivers, and would be an incredible experience for participants who share the same passion for Ferrari cars. There will be a true club spirit among fellow Ferrari enthusiasts there.”

He added: “By making this competition known among Filipinos, we’re also hoping that more drivers will dedicate themselves to investing the time, skills and strength needed for motorsports. There are opportunities here for the dedicated racer, for drivers like Floirendo, who are helping take Philippine motorsports to a new level. Autostrada has the Ferrari cars for those who don’t just dream of racing but are willing to take on the challenge.”

This year, the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli will run across three series in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. For the Asia Pacific region, other contenders are from Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea.

Floirendo will begin the first Asia Pacific round on his Ferrari 458 from Feb. 21 to 23 in Sepang, Malaysia.