No thanks to this pandemic, we haven’t seen any real track action for nearly 12 months. But don’t think that the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) isn’t doing anything about it. As a matter of fact, their Motorsport Department is in constant talks with the government in the hopes of getting four-wheeled races going again. Sadly though, we’ll all have to wait a little bit longer after their most recent request has been denied.
In an official letter from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Games and Amusement Board (GAB), and the Department of Health (DOH) dated 11th of December 2020, it reiterates to the AAP that “non-professional sporting events, competitions, tournaments are temporarily suspended regardless of risk severity.” This is in pursuance of PSC-GAB-DOH Joint Administrative Order No. 2020-0001. Furthermore, the document stresses that activities must be “for the purpose of conditioning and training as private individuals only.”
This leaves the AAP Motorsport Department with very little choice but to follow the order to the dot, emphasizing on the following points.
- Four-wheeled motorsport is considered a “non-professional sport” as defined by GAB and PSC.
- Non-professional sporting events, competitions, tournaments are suspended until further notice. Thus, any national championships, races, competitions, being organized by any motorsport organizer must hereby cease.
- Claiming that an organized sporting event is a practice, track day, shakedown, test and tune, etc. is not a valid alibi and will expose you to greater liability.
- An LGU approval to conduct events is sadly not sufficient in light of this order.
While the AAP remains to be the governing body for four-wheeled motorsport events in the country, allowing for races to resume during this pandemic is sadly not their decision to make. So as much as we all want to go back racing, all they’re asking from stakeholders in the local racing community is for full support and cooperation until the Philippine government gives the green light.
