FUTURE OF PHL RACING -- Baguio’s own Iñigo Anton has stormed several rounds to clinch the overall crown in the 2019 Philippine Autocross Championship Series, beating his multi-titled father, Carlos, and other veteran racers in the country. Anton is a 10th grader of the Baguio Achiever’s Academy. -- Nickey Jones Bautista

Baguio Achiever’s Academy 10th grader Iñigo Anton added another feather on his cap when he took the overall crown in the 2019 Philippine Autocross Championship Series. 

The young Anton battled it out early in the year against his multi-titled father, Carlos, along with V1 champion racer Estefano Rivera and over 40 other drivers. 

“I can’t believe we did it.  This championship had so many ups and downs the whole season. I’m really grateful that we got the overall win.  Thank you to my dad, our Mark Young-Advan team, my family, my school, and our sponsors for giving me so much support,” said the young Anton.

Anton took early wins in Cavite during the second round and the fifth round in Meycauayan.  His father, a Yokohama-Castrol racer, set the pace with a first round win in Novaliches and followed it up with another win in Clark during the fourth round of the championship. 

After the fifth round win of the younger Anton, it was a two-horse race between father and son to the end of the championship, which thrilled the crowds at every round swapping fastest times with every run.

When the championship moved back to Cavite for the sixth round of the championship, the older Anton got a good break with rapidly changing weather conditions and stole the win from his son by running before the skies opened and the rains drenched the track, leaving his son with no chance of beating him.  

The seventh round in Santa Rosa, Laguna saw the two neck and neck in the championship and would seal the championship for whoever takes the win.  

Then the younger Anton set the best times during his early runs in the overall class, which proved to be crucial, as his father car broke down after his initial runs which were not fast enough to beat him.  He then took the win in the end by a single point over his father, 65 to 64, and with it crowned himself as the youngest overall Philippine Autocross champion in the sports 20-year history.

“I’m very happy for Iñigo. He was really more consistent than me all throughout the year.  He deserves this championship. Losing to my son is like me winning the championship also. Who would have ever thought that 10 years after I won the title Iñigo would also win it,” said the 2009 Philippine Autocross Champion Anton.

The Antons are sponsored by Mark Young, Advan, Yokohama, Castrol, MPTurbo, Cars Unlimited, Parts Pro Racing, Mohspeed, JSD Autosport, Special Stage, Kilton, and Kart Plaza.