A new sheriff is in town: FIA steward and local racing veteran Rikki Dy-Liacco named AAP Head of Motorsports

A big name is joining the ranks of the Automobile Association of the Philippines’ (AAP) Motorsports division.

Champion circuit, slalom, and rally driver Rikki Dy-Liacco has been named AAP Head of Motorsports, the national auto club announced in a December 17, 2022 Facebook post.

Despite the forthcoming challenges, Dy-Liacco told AutoFun Philippines that he is ready to take on this “quite challenging” new role.

“My goals are high,” he said. “I am both eager and anxious about the result. I feel positive and very much willing to take a shot at it.”

Dy-Liacco is also one of a handful of Filipinos who work in the international motorsports scene.

He has been a race steward for the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of global car-racing events, since 2009.

Among the international motorsports events that he has helped observe include:

• Asian Le Mans Series

• GT World Challenge Asia

• Thailand Super Series

• F3 Asian Championship

• UAE F4 Championship

• Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

• TCR Asia

• 24 Hours of Le Mans

• Macau Grand Prix

The AAP is also the sole local National Sporting Authority of the FIA.

In addition, Dy-Liacco served as operations director of two Chinese racing circuits: Zhuhai International Circuit (2007 to 2016) and V1 Auto World Tianjin (2016 to 2018).

Uplifting Philippine motorsports

Dy-Liacco told AutoFun Philippines that his new role primarily involves helping the AAP uplift local motorsports to align with international competitions.

“This is a multi-faceted task and needs to be addressed simultaneously,” said the racing legend. “Closer working relations will be established with the circuit operator, event organizers, teams and drivers and an enhanced set of race officials.”

Dy-Liacco said he wants to further professionalize the conduct of local racing events, particularly officiation and the behavior of drivers and teams.

“At least three seminars will be conducted for race officials,” he said. “This includes clerks of the course, race directors, and stewards. I would also want to include a seminar for team managers.”

In addition, Dy-Liacco said the current licensing system for Philippine racing drivers will be reviewed and updated to adopt the FIA’s standards.

He added that measures like these will benefit everyone in local motorsports.

“If we are able to come up with better quality events, the improved acceptance of motorsports as a medium of exposure will be recognized by advertisers to the benefit of the sport, in general,” said the racing veteran.  

Revival of rallying

Dy-Liacco said he also intends to help revitalize rally racing in the Philippines.

“Efforts have been made to support the revival of rallying, and this is expected to continue,” he said. “The AAP will be supportive of this effort.”

The country had two rally events during the 2022 season – the Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) and RallySprint, the latter being a tarmac stage rally.

The last dirt stage rally was held in 2018 in Pampanga and was managed by PHRX officials.

What other measures do you think must be taken to boost Philippine motorsports?