Lance Feliciano - Only Fil-Am Licensed Professional DRIFTING
Written by Ms. Confuse on Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Lance Feliciano made history in October 2006 by being the only Fil-Am licensed professional Drifting racing champ among 38 licensed U.S. professionals from across America. Currently, Lance is among the youngest professional racers in the world of Drifting. In a press release by Drift & RWD sports magazine, he was named as "one of the next superstars to watch in 2007." Lance is fast becoming an icon in the Drifting arena. For his profile. click here
WHILE Filipinos are following the exploits of its current sports hero Manny Pacquiao, perhaps only a handful are aware that another one of their countrymen is rocking the sports world in the U.S.
In the rapidly evolving discipline of Drifting or, as the Americans call it— Formula D, Filipino Lance Feliciano is creating more than tire squeals and smoke.
In 2006, Feliciano, who is supported by Whiz Oil, made history by becoming the only Filipino to be issued a competition license that made him eligible to be one of only 38 professional Formula D drivers in America. At 19, he was also the youngest to join their exclusive ranks.
Feliciano and his parents, Larry Feliciano and Christina Gutierrez, moved to the U.S., when he was only two-years-old. Although Larry and Christina are now separated, they continue to support their son’s pursuits.
Larry, who hails from Antipolo and is a former rally driver who drove a Mitsubishi in the 1980s, still gives him advice, while his mother is present at all of Lance’s events.
Lance shares: “I’m very close to my dad. Although, he now lives in the Philippines, we always talk and he always gives me pointers. He teaches me what kind of mental attitude I should have behind the wheel. He tells me that before I go out there, I should close my eyes and relax. And once I’m ready to commit myself at the wheel, once I’m ready to make a perfect run, then go! But if I’m not ready, then I shouldn’t even leave that starting line.”
So, how did it all start for this Pinoy drifter?
“When I was younger I really liked the popular “drifting” videos from Japan. And my dad used to teach me in the mountains in Antipolo, in the Philippines. I started joining amateur events in 2005. In October of 2006, I entered a Pro-Am event, which had the best drivers from the whole west coast.”
“We all battled at the Irwindale Speedway, 55 to 60 drivers, and I won first. They then sent me to Laughlin in Las Vegas to represent the west coast and I won second overall in the Nationals. There, only four drivers were able to get their professional license and I was one of them,” Feliciano recalled.
In 2007, Feliciano participated in several exhibitions around the U.S. He is currently doing a stint in New York.
“Drifting involves precision. You need to have a well-tuned, perfectly conditioned, rear-wheel drive car with a good suspension. It’s a very expensive sport because you can go through a full set of tires in less than a day of competition. It’s very important that the driver be very confident because there’s not much time to react and be scared when you’re on the track. One should think very fast and be fully committed,” said Feliciano, who will make an appearance at the Philippine Race Wars 2008 last April 26 at the Clark Expo.
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2 comments: Responses to “ Lance Feliciano - Only Fil-Am Licensed Professional DRIFTING ”
By Unknown on May 6, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Great post! I'll make sure to keep an eye on him at Formula D.
www.filampride.blogspot.com
By Anonymous on June 3, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Lance Feliciano was never taught by his father Larry. He was raised by his mother in the US,as a single mom, until she married Carl Schallig, who took on full resposibility as being a true father to Lance. When Tina and Carl saw Lance's passion for drifting, they poured all thier financial, physical and moral support to make Lance's dream come true. Lance's father Larry was an absentee father and has never been resposible for Lnace's drift career. The father is simply using his son now to make a quick buck for himself. Let the truth be known. Larry is a fraud and a con-man.