Now on its 28th year, the Annual Motorsport Awards once again recognizes the best sportsmen (and sportswomen) in Philippine motorsports over the previous season. And as a testament to the continued growth of the sport, the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) presented 57 awards for 2023 – 11 more than what they have out last year.
As always, the are the mainstay local events such as karting, touring cars, slalom, and rallycross. But what stands out this year is the sheer number of Plaque of Appreciation recipients, reserved for those Philippine racing license holders who competed overseas.
Top of the list is William Go from Cebu who not only excelled in karting, but also made it into the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Scouting World Finals in Maranello, Italy. Paving the way for women in motorsport is Bianca Bustamante who drives for McLaren in F1 Academy. The lone Filipino driver in the WRC, Miguel Diaz, gets an award for the 2nd year running, while father-and-son duo Manasseh ‘Jun’ and Manuel ‘Rafa’ Caceres, alongside Vincent Floirendo are also called on stage for their participation in the Thailand Super Series.
The bulk comes from the Philippine contingent in the 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship held in Malaysia, including Joaquin ‘Wakkeen’ Garrido who finished 3rd in the Karting Slalom category.
Here’s the complete list of awardees from the 28th AAP Annual Motorsport Awards.
2023 Driver of the Year Award
Slalom | Raymond Paul Base
Karting | Bernardus Emmanuel Corpino
Circuit | Ian Davin Rosales
Rallycross | Peter Paul Santos
Drag | Jeremy Art Penullar
Marshal of the Year | Roberto Ramos, Jr
Marshal of the Year – Slalom | Cleto Calañada
Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup
Super Sporting Class Champion | Jose Wilfredo John Dizon
Sporting Class Champion | Russel Gabriel Cabrera
Promotional Class Champion | Alain Gabriel Alzona
Philippine Grand Touring Championship
GT150 Class Champion | Ian Davin Rosales
GT100 Class Champion | Jefferson Gan, Jr
Tuason Racing – Formula V1 Challenge
Pro Class Champion | Carlos Iñigo Anton
AM Class Champion | Reniel Medina
National Drag Racing Championship
Super Pro Overall Class Champion | Jeremy Art Penullar
National Slalom Series
Novice Class Champion | Austin Sarmiento
Rear Wheel Class Champion | Austin Sarmiento
Front wheel Class Champion | Raymond Paul Base
Overall Class Champion | Raymond Paul Base
Philippine Autocross Championship Series
Novice Class Champion | Jose Carlo Ocampo
Open Class Champion | Richard Gallardo
Overall Class Champion | Richard Gallardo
Philippine Rallycross Series
Group 1 Overall Champion | Paulino Polintan, Jr
Group 2 Overall Champion | Peter Paul Santos
Group 3 Overall Champion | Peter Paul Santos
Group 4 Overall Champion | Peter Paul Santos
Open Class Champion | Paolo Santos
AWD Class Champion | Paolo Santos
RWD Class Champion | Carlo Magno, Jr.
UV Class Champion | DJ de Guzman
Pick-up Class Champion | Olson Louie Camacho
SEAOIL Radical Challenge Philippines
SR1 Cup Overall Class Champion | Carlos Iñigo Anton
Rotax MAX Challenge Philippines
Minirok Overall Class Champion | Kraige Berdos
Junior Overall Class Champion | Ryan Sy
Senior Overall Class Champion | Bernardus Emmanuel Corpino
Rok GP Cup Philippines
Minirok Overall Class Champion | Kraige Berdos
Junior Overall Class Champion | Ryan Sy
Senior Overall Class Champion | Bernardus Emmanuel Corpino
Asian Karting Open Championship
Minirok Overall Class Champion | Mariano Axel Nocom
Senior Overall Class Champion | Danzel Waytan
Plaque of Appreciation
William John Riley Go
Bianca Denise Bustamante | 2023 F1 Academy
Miguel Diaz | 2023 FIA World Rally Championship
Vicente Floirendo | 2023 Thailand Super Series
Manuel Rafael Caceres | 2023 Thailand Super Series
Manasseh Caceres | 2023 Thailand Super Series
Mark Bernales | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Estefano Rivera | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Gabrielle Marie Desales | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Mariano Axel Nocom | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Arion Crosby | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Ethan Matthew Ong | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Al Miguel Quiñones | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Maria Meliza Shaniah Quiñones | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Christohper Joaquin Garrido | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Carlos Iñigo Anton | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
Russel Reyes | 2023 Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship
