Gutierrez drag racing’s rising young star

MANILA, Philippines - Another talented teener Christian Paul Gutierrez of Street Tuners became the newest toast of local drag racing following his extraordinary performance that captured the Sportsman crown recently in the kickoff of the 2013 Petronas Philippine Drag Racing Championship Southern Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

Gutierrez, who recently turned 18, is just one of the few young drivers who dared test their raw skills against more-experienced rivals in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and sponsored by Petronas, Yokohama, GT Radials, M&H Tires and media partner Racing Beat at Wave 89.1.

But winning the crown by besting 67 other hopefuls compelled fellow drivers, officials and spectators to take a second look at this lanky teener who achieved the rare feat and more so, after learning it was just his second time to join the race after a failed attempt last year.

After Arvin Jay Millet of TEMZ, Gutierrez was just the second teener to win a drag racing title, as the elated drag racing director Fil Gulfin considers his win as a timely breakthrough feat that could encourage more young drag racing wannabees to join the event and ensure the transition of talents for the continuous growth and development of the sport in the country.

“We really didn’t expect to win.  It was just another experimental try after losing the first race last year.  But I guess we’re lucky that things went our way and got more than we expected,” said Gutierrez.

He was unusually calm and composed, without trace of pressure as he went through four grueling encounters to seal a finals faceoff against regular competitor Ralph Montalbo of Montavita who got his finals seat after an upset win that spoiled Arvin Jay Millet’s bid for a third crown.