Sun was out and shining as the boys got ready to play. Preparations started as early as 6am with Drift King and Car Porn Racing Director Ian King manning the show. Excitement started to build as one by one the sponsors arrived to set up their booths… giving that fiesta feel to the otherwise bare playground. By 8am, booths were ready, the Victoria Court Buffet was set, anticipation began to grow as the Drift cars came in – hauled by huge trucks.
At exactly 9am, we hear screeching of tires, engines being revved and half-awake drifters straggling thru the gates. This was destined to be an amazing drift fest.
We had a total of 25 drivers for both novice and pro categories itching to get in practice rounds before the race. By lunch time, the bleachers were packed and the drivers were happily showing off their skills making the crowd go wild. Even Car Porn Racing’s Kim Garcia and Struan Wallace got behind the wheel and took spectators on shotgun rides.
On stage was the energetic host of the day, Issa Litton. She explained the rules, judging and also got the crowd pumping! So many celebrities came to show support. Azkals Team Captain Ally Borromeo and Anton Del Rosario were cheering from the stage. The beautiful Joey Mead-King was taking videos of her hubby driving the drift cars with half his body out the window. Ryan Agoncillo suddenly became the commentator of the day as the judges George Ramirez, Kevin Tayao and Brent Co diligently scored their cards.
By 2pm, the novice race was getting hot and heavy with the judges and crowd often shouting “One more time!”. By late afternoon, the pros were getting restless and a drift train was created. The media went crazy as each driver sped inches away from each other, forming a screeching, smoking train.
Finally awarding started at 6pm, Novice Champion was Jesus Romero Salas, 1st Runner up Radrich Albano and in 2nd was Tin Tin David – the only female racer. For the pro winners, Champion Raymond Ronquillo, 1st Runner up Alvin Dayrit and 2nd runner up Boodie Dabasol took the stage.