PHRX, AAP honor PH motorsport pillar Jun Espino
Special Manila rallycross round held
BRINGING the dirt racing action right where every car lover could see, the Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) and the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) teamed up for the Jun Espino Memorial Rallycross held at the CCP Open Grounds on April 6, 2024.
Coinciding with the 2024 edition of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), the special rallycross round commemorating the veteran rally navigator and Philippine motorsport pillar Jun Espino was held across the World Trade Center, one of the MIAS venues, demonstrating that rally is alive and well in the country.
“It’s overwhelming. Memories started coming back; it began with the smell of the grass and the dirt. It just came back naturally,” Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) Motorsport Manager Rikki Dy-Liacco, also a champion in rally and rallycross during the sport’s glory days, expressed enthusiasm that a rallycross race was held once again at the familiar grounds.
A fitting venue for a special commemorative racing event, the CCP Open Grounds was home to countless rallycross races decades ago, during the heydays of rally. “We couldn’t miss the chance of having rallycross again at CCP Open Grounds. It was also just well-timed that it was during MIAS, a perfect chance to showcase that rally is alive once again, to a big audience,” said PHRX Director Olson Camacho.
“PHRX holds high regard for Mr. Espino. He was so special to the series that he could be considered as the very reason behind PHRX. Jun Espino was the one who pushed us to revive and make rally popular again,” Camacho said, honoring the late motorsport pillar and his contribution to the revival of rally in the Philippines.
Espino was one of the legendary rally navigators during the 70s and 80s. He had vast racing experience in the local rally scene and even represented the flag in rallies abroad. He spent his last years managing the motorsport division of the AAP, overseeing various motorsport disciplines in the country. Aside from being a master of road books, pace notes, and time cards, Espino also served as a mentor to many Filipino champion drivers who are now significant individuals in the local motorsport community.
The special memorial rallycross, which also served as the fourth round of the PHRX 2024 season, tallied a total of 65 entries in various race classes, watched by countless race fans, many of whom came from their MIAS visit. Notable people in the local automotive industry were also present at the momentous event. AAP President Joe Ferreria, AAP Motorsport Chairman and Philippine rally legend Mandy Eduque, and Isuzu Philippines Corp. Assistant Division Head Marketing Robert Carlos were among those to lead the ceremonial flag off of the special round.
Autoplus Sports’ Carlos Gono, Atoy Customs’ Atoy Llave, celebrity car enthusiast Ramon Bautista, and local race organizer Lai de Leon of BackStage Events visited and watched the races. Giving the crowd a treat, famed stunt driver and MIAS staple Russ Swift went for a quick run on the dirt track using his MIAS Subaru WRX stunt car.
Prof. Nathan Espino, son of the late AAP motorsport manager, graced the event and joined in celebrating his dad’s legacy in the local motorsport. “It’s very touching that you can still feel, since dad passed in 2019 and until now, the community is still missing him so much and wants to remember him. It’s very touching for us in the family,” said Espino.
Following the Jun Espino Memorial Rallycross, the next event on PHRX’s 2024 calendar will be the first round of the Tarlac Rally, a full special stage rally that will take place in Capas, Tarlac, and will be happening on April 26 to 28, 2024. For more information, follow their official Facebook page — Philippine Rallycross Series.