Fans back ‘crazy plan’

REP. Tomas Osmeña’s “crazy idea” has put Cebu’s karting community on a frenzy.

Last Sunday, Rep. Osmeña told Sun.Star Cebu of his plan to put up an F1 racing circuit in Cordova, a plan he himself admitted as crazy. Though he said he hasn’t talked with local officials, he said he has told potential investors.

And if this pushes through, Kartzone manager Kym Limgenco said it would make the Philippines the fifth country in Asia to have an F1 circuit. The other Asian countries are Malaysia, Japan, China and India.

Singapore and Korea have street circuits and not purpose-built circuits for F1 races.

“It’s every racer’s and F1 fan’s dream to be able to witness an F1 race live. Having an F1 circuit in our own backyard would further increase Cebu’s presence to the world,” Limgenco said.

He added that it would also be a boost to local motorsports as this would encourage greater participation.

“Plus, an F1 level homologated circuit can host most two-wheel and four-wheel races.

That would be a big boost to our tourism and economy,” said Limgenco.

Three-time Karter of the year Jette Calderon of Red Bull racing team is optimistic as well of the plan and welcomes the building of an F1 circuit in Cebu. He believes it would be a great feat for all the motor sports enthusiasts.

Chance

“It will give us an opportunity to show and develop my talents and the talents of other racers in the goal of achieving my dream to become an F1 driver,” 16-year-old Calderon said.

He added that Cebu has a lot of potential drivers waiting for an opportunity like this.

“I hope that this will push through and kudos to Osmena,” said Calderon.

Juan Antonio “Tonyo” Larrazabal Carcel, the 2012 karter of the year, also backs the plan of Osmena and hopes that this can be done in the next couple of years so that they can use it as a karting track and to promote racing in the Philippines.