Porsche, Audi inaugurate new Motorsport Paddock

Top executives and staff of PGA Cars, VIPs and members of the media gather in front of the new paddock at Clark Speedway.

Porsche and Audi cars were made available for guided laps on the track.

What do the Porsche Cayman S, Porsche Cayenne, Audi A1, Q3, Q7, A6 and A4 have in common? These cars were made available recently to select clients of PGA Cars, and a few members of the motoring media, for a track day at the Clark International Speedway (CIS). The event was held to highlight the inauguration of PGA Cars’ Motorsport Paddock at the northern track.

The event began with the blessing of the newly built hospitality suite at the paddock area of CIS. After brunch and a drivers’ briefing by George Ramirez, the attendees were given their designated groups and ushered to their respective “experiences.”

Each driving experience had its own set of instructors and trainers. First, there was a timed slalom course using the Porsche Cayman S, acclaimed as the best-handling road car Porsche has ever built. This is made possible by its 46:54 weight distribution with a midengine configuration. The 1.4-liter TFSI Audi A1 was also made available. Participants were timed as they traversed the course using both cars. Then it was off to the east track of CIS and, afterwards, the full track was utilized to complete the driving experiences of the participants.

Porsche and Audi cars were made available for guided laps on the track.

In groups of five, drivers were made to follow, at speed, Christoph Kalpper, head instructor from Germany, around the twisty, 3-kilometer-long track. Novice circuit drivers found the twisty layout of Clark a bit daunting, as evidenced by a few cars missing braking points and overshooting corners. But most were smooth from the get-go and drove flat out to get the most out of each car. As they got back to the pit lane, all we could see were smiles as wide as a the Cayman’s grill.

Everyone was all praises for the exceptional handling and power of all the vehicles in the Porsche and Audi lineup. The event culminated with a group photo with PGA Cars head honcho Robert Coyiuto Jr.

The Motorsport Paddock, built in partnership with San Miguel Corp., is made up of three main areas: pit garage, lounge and roof deck. The pit garage, with a four-car capacity, functions as the workshop. A true motorsport garage, tire changes and engine checks are made here. The roof deck allows an unobstructed view of the track as well as a place to experience the wonderful sound of the cars’ engines. The lounge provides an area to relax and converse while watching the races. PGA plans to have numerous activities to be centered around this new addition to the Clark circuit.