DRQ Motorsports was all smiles when the sun set upon the Palawan International Circuit (PIC) during the Rok GP Cup Philippines’ 2024 season opener in April. With its army of drivers, the team went home with a total of 6 class victories and 3 podiums over 2 days of racing.
MINIROK
Dayton Pastor finished 1st in all but one session in MiniRok Expert. After missing out on pole during Time Trials by a mere 0.136 secs, the 12-year-old got his head down and never looked back. He was practically unchallenged in both Qualifying Heats and won with over a minute lead. Dayton then delivered a commanding lights-to-flag victory during the Finals, leading every single lap and setting the fastest lap of the race in the process.
His teammate Reign Ardina also delivered consistent results in MiniRok Novice. He placed 2nd in class during the Time Trials, Heat 1, Heat 2, and again in the Finals to pick up a podium for DRQ Motorsports, even finishing ahead of some karters in MiniRok Expert.
JUNIOR ROK
As for Dayton’s older brother Dino, he was on a mission after an unneccessary collision in Heat 1 on Saturday took him out of the race. The 15-year-old son of racing driver Don Pastor was locked in a battle for the lead during the Finals of Round 1. But once he found a way past his rivals, he made full use of the clear track ahead of him to break away and win with a 4.199 secs lead.
It was a similar story in Round 2 on Sunday. Dino won Heat 2 before delivering his best performance all weekend. He was unchallenged over the course of the 12-lap race to take chequered flag in 1st with a 7.334 secs advantage.
SENIOR ROK
Multiple-time karting champion Miguel Quiñones had to race with his arms out in Rok Senior. Fastest in the Time Trials and 1st in Heat 1 on Saturday, he figured into an accident in Heat 2 and ended up in 10th. Displaying resilience, he delivered a stellar comeback drive to fight his way to the front and cross the line in 1st with a slim 0.440 secs lead. But his efforts came to naught after a penalty dropped him to 5th.
Miguel was looking for payback in Round 2 on Sunday. Unfortunately, he suffered a DNF in Heat 2 after a enjoying a valiant win in Heat 1. Still, he kept his head down for the all important Finals. Miguel picked off his rivals one by one ’til he took the lead on lap 13 and held position until the chequered flag dropped.
VETERAN & CLUBMAN
It was a French 1-2-3 at the top of the combined Veteran and Clubman time sheets. John Gadriot was fastest in the Time Trials and set the pace for the Clubman runners. Not too far behind was his father Jean Luc who topped the Veteran Class with countryman Arnaud Le Poulichet in 2nd.
The trio were inseparable all weekend and simply traded places every session. Jean Luc and his son John enjoyed a 1-2 finish in Heat 1, while Arnaud lead the way in Heat 2 with the Gadriots in tow behind. Come the Finals, Jean Luc had a clear track in front of him and was able to open up a gap to win with a commanding 10.390 secs lead. Arnaud and John, on the other hand, got delayed as the mid-field scrambled for position. They eventually broke free with Arnaud taking 2nd in the Veteran Class and John securing the win in Clubman.
Dr Oro Quinones, Team Owner: “Proud to see our drivers push to their limits in Palawan. A big thank you to everyone working behind the scenes at DRQ Motorsports for giving 100% and allowing the team to win in several categories. I’m looking forward to even more wins and podiums as our karting family grows.”
DRQ Motorsports is sponsored by RZQ The Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, RZQ Aesthetic Medicine Institute, Derma Medica, and Coca-Cola.
[Photos by Bong Boado]
