DRQ Motorsports is on full attack mode in 2023 as they take on both the Rotax Max Challenge and Rok GP Cup in the Philippines. And their goal is to secure titles in the Junior, Senior Novice, and Senior categories with six very motivated young karters.
Running six entries, for two events, with 12 races in total, however, does come with its own set of challenges. But the team is confident that it can deliver results every time their karters are out on track. DRQ Motorsport has some of the most skilled kart mechanics in the country, backed by a talented coach with a proven track record. 5x karting champion Miguel Quiñones will be doing double duty this season as he guides the team’s karters while he himself chases after a 6th championship in the Senior Class.
Arion Crosby (Junior)
Arion first got into karting way back in 2016 when his family was still based in America, but stepped away from the sport up until they moved back to the Philippines over a year ago. That’s when he linked up with DRQ Motorsports and entered the season finale of the Rotax Max Challenge held at the Carmona Race Track where he scored a 2nd place finish in the Finals.
Paco Samson (Junior)
Pablo ‘Paco’ Samson, on the other hand, got his start through the Petron Motorsports Karting Academy. He then entered his first race with DRQ Motorsports in late 2021 before signing up for a full season in the Petron Intermediate Clubrace in 2022 where he collected a 1st and 2nd place finish. Now 14-years-old, this will be Paco’s first year in Juniors to complete the team’s lineup.
Miguel Abaño (Senior Novice)
Miguel will be one of the team’s two entries in the newly-created Senior Novice division. This 15-year-old only entered the sport a year ago, but progressed quickly up the ranks. He got his start in the Petron Intermediate Clubrace, picking up a podium on only his second event. And before the year ended, Miguel was already in Seniors making his regional race debut at the Rotax Max Challenge Asia Festival in Malaysia.
Alex Santos (Senior Novice)
Also a graduate of the Petron Motorsport Karting Academy, Karis Alexandrea ‘Alex’ Santos was a consistent front runner in the Petron Intermediate Clubrace last year. This young lady scored one win and several podium finishes to finish vice champion on her debut season. Follow last year’s impressive performance, she will now step up to Senior Novice with DRQ Motorsports.
Shaniah Quiñones (Senior)
Now an ace in karting, Shaniah is back for another season in Seniors as she flies the team’s colors with older brother Miguel. DRQ Motorsport’s second lady driver is mainstay on the podium and regularly competes in regional and even international events (as long as the race schedules don’t clash with her classes at the university).
Miguel Quiñones (Senior)
It’s going to be an extra busy year for Miguel Quiñones. The newly-crowned Golden Wheel Driver of the Year awardee will also serve as DRQ Motorsport’s team coach while he himself chases after a possible 6th or 7th championship. One big change he’ll have to adapt to in 2023 is the shift from an OTK to a Parolin chassis. He also confirmed his return to the TGR Vios Cup for a 3rd season and plans on entering several events in autocross and rallycross.
The 2023 season kicks off in late March at the Carmona Race Track, visiting the Palawan International Circuit and Clark International Circuit Kart Track, before the final race of the year in November at the same venue.
[Photos by RacersPh]
