Minibike champ Daquigan prevails in Japan

MANILA, Philippines — Alfonso Rei Santos Daquigan is a living proof that most of racing champions are born, and not made.

Son of a former racer and nephew of an Asian Filipino vintage car racing titlist, Daquigan displayed his motorsports genes as he recently emerged champion of the Daijiro Cup West Japan Minibike Championship’s Novice Class at the Ikoma Racing Circuit in Osaka, Japan.

The eight-year-old student of Golden Values School in Novaliches fended of the challenge of Takumo Fukui from the host country and Rio Turner from New Zealand in the finals to win his debut race in the international scene and end the year on a winning note.

“This has got to be my most memorable race so far because of the high competition and level of riding skills that they (the field) have. The chances of winning are very slim,” said Daquigan, who was also the champion in the Carrera Grande Pocketbike Championship and second placer in the Petron National Karting Series.

“I’m a racer in both four wheels (Gokart) and two wheels (motorcycle), but I prefer two wheels because it’s more fun and more competitive,” added Daquigan, whose father Dannie is the twin brother of Dexter, recent overall champion of the Classic Mini Championship Asia at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

Like his kin, Daquigan knows that perseverance could lead to great things. During the Saturday qualifying, he took a spill twice after failing to find the right temperature of his wheels due to the intense cold. He still, however, placed third in the pole entering the final race on Sunday.

A brilliant takeoff had Daquigan scooting to a good lead, but Fukui made it interesting by threatening in the last lap. But Daquigan kept his focus and the lead all the way to the finish, winning the race by virtually the skin of his teeth – a .1 of a second lead.

Despite his youth, Daquigan’s winning attitude is commendable.