March 28, 2024

Baguio City’s racing phenom Iñigo Anton of Obengers Racing Team did not let the pandemic stop him in winning championships in racing.
The multiple Philippine champion in real-life racing wrapped up his third championship title for 2020 in the virtual racing world by winning the 2020 Phoenix Pulse Formula V1 Virtual Cup in the thrilling finale at the Clark International Speedway recently.
Coming into the last round of the championship, Anton only had a slight lead ahead of his simulator racing coach and one of Philippine’s best virtual racers, Luis Moreno.
“With double points up for grabs in the last round, it was anybody’s ball game for the title and I was really pressured during qualifying,” Anton said.
He only managed to qualify third while Moreno took pole position and Russel Reyes in P2.
There were two races in the last round and the first race saw Reyes finishing first while Anton managed to finish ahead of Moreno who ended up in third place. This meant Anton only had to finish behind Moreno in the last race.
The final race was a reverse grid race so Anton and Moreno started mid pack at eighth and ninth positions, respectively.
Both racers sliced through the field in just the opening lap. They quickly found themselves battling it out for the lead once again by lap 2, with Anton leading Moreno. Anton tried his best to hold on to the lead but Moreno eventually took the win. Anton finished second but garnered enough points to win the championship.
For the overall result in the professional class, Anton garnered a total of 46.5 points while Moreno got 138 points and Reyes, who won race five, eventually came in third with 90 points.
For the amateur class, Andre Varquez was named champion with 152 points,while Aldo Balagulan was second overall with 114.4 points and Julian Corvin Tang came in third with 100.5 points.
Anton and Tang drove for the Obengers Racing Team and their combined overall points made the team Obengers win the team championship.
One of the prizes that Anton got for winning the Phoenix Pulse Formula V1 Virtual Cup is a real test drive with the Tuason Racing Team Formula V1 race car at Clark International Raceway this year. Anton also won an OMP racing suit and gloves, P10,000 worth of Phoenix petroleum gift certificates, and an LG TV.
Anton also won the Virtual Rally of Champions Championship in May and the Race for Frontliners Championship in June. – Harley F. Palangchao