From regional karting to Formula V1, Ethan Ong is adding yet another motorsport discipline to his resumé in 2024. The 15-year-old has confirmed entry into the Kalayaan Cup endurance with Ethanworx Motorsport where he will contest the 6-hour race this weekend.
This will be Ethan’s competitive debut in touring cars as he drives the team’s Honda Civic FD GT 200. This is the exact same machine used by Carlos Anton to win the Philippine GT Championship with the team. But with more relaxed regulations in the endurance race’s Open Class, the Civic FD’s K24 engine output has been stretched to around 230 hp.
Ethan shares that he has a fascination for endurance races like the Le Mans 24 Hours, hence his desire to join the Kalayaan Cup. But he won’t be driving the full distance by himself.
Ethanworx Motorsports has brought in 2 lady drivers to race alongside Ethan for the 6 hour race.
Part-time model, TV presenter, and art gallery owner Gaby Dela Merced will share driving duties as the team fights for a strong finish at the Batangas Racing Circuit. “I had a chance to race with Ethanworx years ago and looking forward to racing with them again. Ethan is a great young talent and I look forward to race with him. I’ve also always wanted to race with fellow female drivers and now I have a chance to do that with Chenee,” she shared leading up to the weekend.
Completing the lineup is Chenee Jimenez. Starting as an AAP Motorsport Development Program (MSDP) graduate, Chenee has proven to be a solid driver, and is now best known a social media motoring icon @cheneehazel. Chenee commented “I’m excited to be teaming up with Ethan and Gaby for the 2024 season Endurance series. I’d like to thank our team principal, JM Ong for adopting me into the team. We’re just here to have fun, finish, and hope for a good result.”
Qualifying for the 2024 Kalayaan Cup takes place on the 13th of April, while the race gets the green light on the 14th of April.
Ethan Ong is sponsored by Auto Vault Speed Shop the distributor of Modesta Premium Glass Coatings, Autozkin Paint Protection, Repsol Philippines, Powel Chemicals, Fremuff, GT Radial, D1 Spec, Maxspeed, Hardrace, ASR, Recaro, Tagaytay Viewpark Hotel, Siglo Modern Filipino, JRJ Windows and Doors, Pierre’s Reserve, and Devil’s Burger.
For more info and updates, Like the Ethan Motorsports page on Facebook and follow @ethan.ong.racing on Instagram.
See you at the starting season of the Exciting Enduro series in BRC this weekend! See our Drivers in open class Ethan Ong, Chenee Ang Jimenez and Gaby Dela Merced team up! and our Class 2, the father and son 2023 class CHAPION Dodi Cabasal, Gio Cabasal and Kiel Cabasal to try to take the 2024 season!
We would like to thank our sponsors for this event: GT Radials Philippines, Team Repsol Philippines, PIAA, D1 Spec, Maxspeed, Hardrace, ASR, Recaro, Fred Mabazza of Fremuf, Decal Republic, View Park Hotel Tagaytay, Siglo Modern Filipino, Powel Chemicals, JRJ Engineering Upvc Windows & Doors.
