The double-header season finale of the Rotax Max Challenge Philippines was a make or break moment for Miguel Quiñones. Holding onto a slim 12-point lead going into the weekend, he knew that even the smallest mistake could cost him the title. But the DRQ Motorsports karter didn’t crack under pressure and successfully secured the 2024 Senior Class championship in style.
Miguel, however, didn’t get off to the best of starts in Round 5 on Saturday. He got stuck in traffic during Qualifying and was unable to get a clean lap. His fastest time was 0.517 secs off pole and ended up P8 on the grid, whereas his closest title rival was in P2.
Despite his low starting position, Miguel was able to make up for lost ground in Heat 1 to finish 4th. It wasn’t an easy feat as he couldn’t take too many risks and get a DNF. Thankfully, he secured another 4th place finish in Heat 2 and limited his points loss.
On the contrary, the Final was a dramatic affair for Miguel. He was locked in a tight battle with another karter that involved several close calls. The pair exchanged positions all-race-long and even collided at one point. While he was able to make it to the finish, it cost him a good result and could only take 5th – reducing his lead to just 8 points.
Round 6 on Sunday presented a new set of challenges for Miguel. Running in wet conditions and plagued by lapped traffic, he landed P5 in Qualifying. But with the championship on the line, he got his elbows out in Heat 1 to fight for 2nd place, which he followed with another impressive 3rd place. More crucially, his title rival finished outside the points in Heat 2, allowing Miguel to stretch his lead in the standings.
Now holding onto a 28-point advantage, the DRQ Motorsports only had to finish the Finals and the Rotax Max Challenge Philippines title was his. Starting from P2, he was lucky to evade a massive first-lap pile-up and rejoin the track unscathed. Although he had the pace to challenge for the race lead, he decided to be on the safe side and maintained position all the way to the chequered flag to land a spot on the podium in 2nd with the championship and a ticket to the RMC Grand Finals in tow.
Miguel may have come up short in securing an entry to the RMC Grand Finals at the RMC Asia Trophy, but he never gave up hope. The multiple-time Filipino champion got one more shot when he came back home and made sure not to let the opportunity get away from him again. As the newly-crowned local 2024 Senior Max champion, Miguel now prepares for the RMC Grand Finals at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, Italy this October 19/26.
Miguel Quiñones: “It’s actually on my bucket list to partake in Sarno since I started racing in Italy. This is the reason why I worked really hard this year just to keep going. The fact that I now have the chance to race there is a dream come true. Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without my family, friends, teammates, Dodong for the amazing setup, and Borong Salazar for the amazing engines that he gave me.”
Miguel Quiñones is sponsored by RZQ The Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, RZQ Aesthetic Medicine Institute, Derma Medica, and Coca-Cola.
[Photos by Bong Boado]