PH rider Ralph Torres unfazed despite Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup setback

By Charles Buban March 26,2014

Ralph Torres

LOSAIL, Qatar—He will never be satisfied with just being able to race in the first-ever Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup (SAATC). Having come this far, 15-year-old Ralph Torres believed he might as well win a couple of podium places or at least finish the season at the top half of the class. Although he crashed out of Sunday’s inaugural race (five others joined him), Torres remains unfazed. “I cannot let my country down considering I am the only Filipino here, chosen from the four other aspirants.”

 

And despite the fact that SAATC is pitting him against the region’s 21 other young elite, Torres is not backing down. “I have to prove I belong here. It doesn’t matter if this is the first time I’ve ridden a 250cc motorcycle racing machine or my first time to race on a world-class race circuit. I will try my very best,” he said.

 

Despite his disappointing start, Torres still has six more races to compete in to earn points.

 

Falling off

 

During practice runs, Torres related how he had fallen off his bike a couple of times. “Everything is different. The Honda NSF250R is a lot more powerful and far beyond what I’ve ridden before. Every lap I do with this bike, I discover new things. Then there’s the race track. Losail International Circuit is so much different from the tracks I had competed on in the Philippines. It’s longer and wider, and its surface is much smoother. There’s also the sudden gust of wind that could throw you off balance. It can be overwhelming at times.”

 

But apart from being able to master the bike and the circuit, he also has to show more courage and determination to win. Torres already got the attention of Alberto Puig, the series director of SAATC who currently serves as a talent scout for Honda. The 1995 Spanish Grand Prix winner has a long and very successful history of spotting and developing talent. Alongside Dani Pedrosa, Puig was responsible for other MotoGP luminaries such as Casey Stoner, Julian Simon, Bradley Smith, Joan Lascorz and Leon Camier.

 

“Unlike Japan that has a long and successful history in motorbike racing, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Singapore and the Philippines have yet to develop one. More than talent, I want the participants from these countries to develop the winning mentality and a fighting spirit. Motorbike racing is never easy, so one has to be tough if you want to prosper here,” Puig said.

 

With only his father Charlie by his side throughout his eight-day stint in Qatar, Torres made improvements on his time. PHOTO BY CHARLES BUBAN

The Spaniard was the driving force behind the MotoGP Academy, the forerunner of Red Bull Rookies Cup, and, before that, had worked with Telefonica Movistar in the Spanish championship, a stint that had produced a string of highly successful riders in various classes, including several world champions.

 

“Having Puig help spot and develop them (SAATC riders) early should help bring more fast young Asian riders into the sport. If you are aspiring to become a MotoGP star one day, this is the person whom you should be with,” said Koh Kar Tai, Shell Advance global brand manager.

 

Feeder series

 

The SAATC is a feeder series to the world of motorcycle racing. After the stint in Qatar, Torres and the rest of the 22 riders will then head to Indonesia on May 11, which coincides with the Indospeed Race Series; China (two races) on June 15, which coincides with the Pan Delta; Malaysia on Sept. 21, which coincides with the Bike Super Series; Japan on Oct. 12, which coincides with the Grand Prix of Japan; and Malaysia on Oct. 26, to be held simultaneously with the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

 

“As one may have noticed, the SAATC coincides with the biggest races in motorbike racing. This will enable them not only to race on some of the world’s best circuits, but also to be exposed to a huge and enthusiastic audience. I know this is a big leap for some of the participants, but if they are determined, they will hurdle all these challenges and become great riders someday,” Koh said.

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