MARK Young Racing-Yokohama champion driver Iñigo Anton showed his mettle during the 1st Vios Racing Festival Autocross Challenge held at the Mall of Asia grounds recently.
The 14–year-old phenom from Baguio Achiever’s Academy qualified second fastest during the first round knockout competition against 40 racers to book his place in the finals.
During the 2nd and 3rd knockout stages, Anton consistently set the fastest times to make it to the finals wherein the top four racers jumped into the Toyota Racing Development prepared Vios race cars. Anton battled it out with autocross veteran Michael Scott Carbonel for the finals where the young champion emerged on top by setting the fastest time of the day in the Car Club division.
“It was really tough! It was my first time to drive the Vios race car and I had to adjust to it with only two runs. Luckily, I set the fastest time when it mattered most,” said a jubilant Anton.
“The knockout stages in this form of competition leave you with no room for error, one mistake and you are out. Iñigo held it together all the way to the end,” said Anton’s father Carlos, referring to the international Gymkhana format the organizers chose for this event.
Anton, who was given a special racing license by the Automobile Association of the Philippine (AAP) because of the numerous championships he has won over the years, will now be preparing for his first ever Philippine GT circuit race at the Batangas Racing Circuit where he will be racing under Team Obengers-Parts Pro-DTE.
Anton is sponsored by Yokohama, Mark Young Racing, Cars Unlimited, Obengers, Parts Pro, Mohspeed, Special Stage, JSD Autosport, Carporn Racing, Kilton and Kart Plaza.