MANILA, Philippines - Milo Rivera and Carlos Anton pulled off a rare feat in Taiwan, besting a tough field to clinch top honors in the Team Knockout competition in the Auto Gymkhana Prix recently.
Rivera, a three-time and current slalom champion, and Anton, an eight-time driver of the year awardee, beat top drivers from 13 other nations to dominate the Team Knockout category.
The duo, sent by the Automobile Association of the Philippines, also finished 1-2 in the individual qualifying competition against 32 champion drivers with Rivera gaining the top spot in 170.184 seconds. Anton posted 171.184 seconds.
Five-time Indonesian champion Demas Agil Ramadani placed third in 174.533 followed by 15-time Japan Gymkhana winner Tetsuya Yamano (176.524) and Taiwan’s champion Kai-Cing Yea (180.341).
In the team competition, Rivera and Anton knocked out Team Nepal and Team Taiwan-D to make it to the semifinals then upended fancied Team Korea, which beat powerhouse Japan.
Rivera and Anton struggled past the Korean drivers to reach the finals against Team Taiwan-A.
“The odds were stacked against us and it was intimidating with hometown crowd cheering for them,” said Rivera.
But Team Philippines bucked the odds with Rivera holding his own against Taiwanese racing legend Wei-Sheng Lian, who cracked under the intense pressure and hit a post.
Anton then took it home, keeping Rivera’s lead against Di-Jun Lin.
“It’s a dream come true. The Philippines is No. 1 in Asia Zone Gymkhana,” said Anton, who teamed up with his current teammate’s uncle Noel when they finished third 11 years ago. “I thank my teammate Milo, who is a talented driver.”