If you’re dreaming to become a real race car driver one day, there’s the Nissan GT Academy. But that ship has sailed long ago. Then, there’s this – the newly-formed Motorsport Development Program of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).
Done in partnership with the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA), this is a new grassroots training program that’s “designed specifically for young drivers who dream of entering the field of motorsports and become successful race car drivers.” Here, participants will go through several training sessions that will develop their skill and discipline for motorports, particularly race car driving. It’ll then headed by 10-time National Rally Champion Vip Isada and his team made up of Art Guevara, Bebot Reyes, Ivan Isada, and Milo Rivera.
The 9-module program cover topics such as driving technique, safety, vehicle dynamics, physical and mental fitness, and even race car preparation. This involves both classroom lectures and practical hands-on training that take somewhere around 7 to 9 hours PER MODULE as follows.
Module 1: Race Skills
Module 2: The Racing Mind
Module 3: Race Safe
Module 4: Vehicle Dynamics
Module 5: Race Car Prep
Module 6: Car Handling
Module 7: Race Craft
Module 8: Fit to Race
Module 9: Race Show
Best of all, the entire Motorsport Development Program will be “fully subsidized.” To us, that means it’s free-of-charge.
Woohoo!
The program is open to young driving enthusiasts aged 16 to 19 years old, who are physically fit and posses a ‘champion’s attitude’. Do note that you need to have a valid Philippine Driver’s License and a Letter of Consent from your parent/guardian to join. Better yet, the organizers strongly advise that participants bring along their dads also to undergo training and proper guidance. If you’re already 20 years old and above, you can still join with a fee of P2,000.
The first session will already be on August 30, 2015 (Sunday), held at the Mega Tent Libis in Quezon City. Registration starts at 7:00 AM, followed by training at 8:00 AM, and ends at 7:00 PM. Lunch and a Motorsport Development Program T-shirt will be provided to all participants, but please bring your own car if possible.
For more details or interested individuals above 19 years old, please contact the AAP Motorsport Development Program Secretariat, Amanda Isada at 0917-849-0008.
