Entertainment

Body Talk with Marlon Stockinger

December 5, 2011 | 12:00am

He describes himself as a work in progress and he’s literally racing with time.

“I still have to do a lot of racing,” said Marlon Stockinger, 20, who is half-Swiss and half-Filipino. “There’s so much to be done.”

In 2008, Marlon finished third in Rookie Cup in the Formula BMW Pacific Championships and a year later, placed fifth in the Formula Renault UK Winter Series. Last year, he was first-placer in the Formula Renault in UK and last October, he landed among the Top 5 in the over-all standing in the GP3 series held around the Catalan Circuit in Barcelona, Spain.

In fact, Marlon has been bringing home trophies and honors from prestigious championship races since 2006.

Asked how many trophies he has bagged so far, Marlon broke into his Albert Martinez smile and said, humbly, “Honestly, I have lost count.”

Yes, he could be mistaken for Albert. Why, they could have been separated at birth. They have the same height (“I’m 5’7”,” Marlon claimed, although he looked more petite than that), the same aura and the same boyish appeal that arouses the maternal instinct in women.

Could he take time out from the racetrack and try acting, maybe as Albert’s younger brother (or “double”)?

“I have a very high respect for artistas,” said Marlon in fluent Filipino, “it’s mahirap what they are doing, acting and singing and dancing. They also have to take care of their fans. Hindi ko kaya ‘yon. In the meantime, I just want to focus on racing and make sure that I do it properly.”

It’s his dedication to racing that has caught the attention of Gravity Sports Management in Luxembourg, a motorsport organization that makes available to its racers all the resources necessary to help turn them into champions. Gravity Sports Management has been giving Marlon lessons in driving technique, physical fitness training, familiarization with the economic aspect of motor sport and relationship with the media.

What precautions do you take during a race?

“Aside from the helmet and protective gear, I wear fire-proof undergarment because there’s always a risk of a fire. Everything has to be fireproof.”

Is your performance affected when you have personal problems?

“Definitely! You must be emotionally prepared for a race. I see to it that I lead a reasonable emotional life. I see my family and my friends, and on the racetrack I have good rapport with the team. So I’m prepared not only physically and mentally but also emotionally.”

What’s your regular diet?

“Simple. It consists mostly of protein like fish, chicken and even meat. Bawal ang carbs like rice, pasta, bread and some vegetables. But it’s okay to indulge every now and then. Otherwise you will feel like you are too trapped. So on weekends, I eat what I want and I do what I want.”

What’s usually for breakfast, for lunch and for dinner?

“For breakfast, my favorites are two eggs fried sunny side up and four pieces of bacon. That’s when I’m abroad. Pero kapag nasa ‘Pinas ako, I go for tapa, corned beef and eggs on top of either garlic rice or fried rice, with coffee. For lunch, if I’m on a strict diet, chicken breast and some vegetables with a bit of rice, preferably brown. For dinner, just a small steak with no carbs.”

How much water do you take per day?

“When I’m training, at least five to six bottles.”

What about vitamins or supplements?

“Vitamin C. No supplements.”

What workout do you do?

“I bike for at least three hours every day. I can’t jog because my knees become painful.”

Any other sport that you indulge in?

“On Sundays, I play football or basketball with friends.”

Any part of your body that needs improvement?

“As an athlete, I feel that I can always improve on not just a part but all parts of my body. But I guess I can work a bit on my neck. It could be stronger. It’s a bit big, I know, bigger than average but it’s good for a racer like me.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?