Baguio racing phenom Iñigo Anton was conferred the coveted Philippine Grand Touring perpetual trophy during the 20th Golden Wheel Awards in Manila on Dec. 29, 2022.
The perpetual trophy is given to the winner of the top class in the Philippine GT Championship which Carlos Anton, Indigo’s father, also won 15 years ago.
“This has been our dream with my dad ever since he won it in 2007. Now both our names are on the perpetual trophy which is a first in Philippine GT racing,” said Anton after receiving the award.
“Although I have been mentoring Iñigo in racing since he was eight years old, I’m still in awe that he clinched the top award in his very first season in GT racing. Having both our names on the perpetual trophy still feels unreal. Now I just need to get Alonzo’s (Iñigo’s younger brother) name on the trophy in the near future,” Carlos added.
Anton dominated the 2022 Yokohama Philippine GT championship using the Mark Young-MRD-Motul prepared Honda EK9 on Advan Fleva tires.
The Antons have been driving for Mark Young Racing Team for the past 15 years. Their team had quite an impressive trophy haul in the Golden Wheel Awards.
Among the major awards the team members took home were the Driver of the Year and GT200 overall champion for Anton; GT200 1st runner-up for Royce Sarmiento; GT 150 1st runner up for Marky Young, GT100 Rookie of the Year for Karol Collantes; and Karting novice 1st runner-up and Cadet 3rd overall for Rich Mark Young.
Other awards were the 2022 Petron Endurance Challenge Class 1 as 2nd runner-up; Class 3 overall champion; and Open B 2nd runner-up.
Aside from the Antons, the other team’s endurance championship drivers include legendary racers Mike Potenciano, Mark Young, Karol Collantes, Alvin Santos, Royce Sarmiento, Carlos Marzo, Polo Bautista, and Armand Marcaida.
“I am very happy that 2022 has been a banner year for our Mark Young Racing team. I am even more excited for the 2023 racing season now that our family continues to grow bigger and the second generation racers are already joining and winning championships,” said team owner Mark Young. – Harley F. Palangchao
