Asian Motor Sports

Even as a kid, Lance Feliciano, who was named by the Drift & RWD sports magazine as “one of the next superstars to watch,” already knew that he was destined to be a drifting champion.

“As a little kid, I was watching Japanese drifting videos and I would see my dad race. That moment, I knew it was what I wanted to do,” said the United States-based Feliciano, whose father, Larry, used to be a rally champion in the 1980s while driving for Mitsubishi.

Feliciano is the only Filipino to be issued a competition license by the US Formula D Series, a championship for professional drift drivers.

“I can compete with other US drivers. My passion for racing and my bloodline will help me become a champion. I’m not going to stop until I get there,” he said.

The 22-year-old Feliciano, who arrived Monday, will bring the high-octane automotive action from the movie The Fast and The Furious to the Philippines when he performs an exhibition on February 12 to 15 at the 2009 Phil-Swiss Motorfest at the Clark Kart Track and Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, in Clark Airfield, Pampanga.

On Tuesday, he showed everyone a preview of what he can do as he flashed his car-control prowess before a crowd in front of the National Press Club in Intramuros.

“I know drifting is not really that popular here but the Filipinos should try it. It’s a different feeling when the car is going sideways. It’s an intense feeling,” he said.

Feliciano, who is the only Filipino competing in the US Formula D series, joined an elite circle of only 38 professional Formula D drivers when he won the requisite eight qualifying events in 2006 at the age of 19.

He also edged out 55 other drivers at the Irwindale Speedway and took home the championship plus a slot in the Nationals in Laughlin, Las Vegas. Feliciano continued to compete in 2007 and 2008, landing on the podium several times. (Source: Krista Angela M. Montealegre for the Manila Times)