Gallardo crowned 2022 PACS Driver of the Year, Munoz named best novice

It was a grueling 10 months that went down to the wire, but Richard Gallardo clinched the top title at the 2022 Philippine Autocross Championship Series (PACS).

The veteran racer, in his modified Honda Civic EF, beat some of the best autocross drivers in the country to win the Overall category, which gave him this season’s coveted PACS Driver of the Year award.

As a result, Gallardo was handed the prestigious Golden Wheel Award for autocross on December 2022.

In addition, he secured the win in the Open Overall category, where any vehicle with tires below 180 treadwear is allowed to compete.

Gallardo told AutoFun Philippines that he was delighted at his result this year.

“Salamat na lang sa Panginoon na binigyan tayo ng skills para medyo husay nang kaunti sa pagda-drive na naabot naman natin yung 2022 Driver of the Year ng autocross,” he said.

[Translation: Thank you to God for giving us the skills to drive fairly well so that we could win the 2022 Driver of the Year for autocross.]

Champion at 15

Meanwhile, girl power ruled the roost in the PACS Novice category.

Fifteen-year-old Sofia Muñoz, who has been competing since before she was a teenager, was able to pull ahead of both her male rivals to win the 2022 PACS Novice Overall title.

“Winning the championship was a dream for me,” she told AutoFun Philippines, with the permission of her father.

“I was thrilled during the last round of PACS, where it would be determined who would win the title and it was really nerve-wracking for me.”

Coming from behind

Gallardo and Muñoz admitted that they both had tough starts for the 2022 season.

“Noong mga unang leg, talagang lamang siya dahil, sa aminin natin o hindi, malaking factor ang gulong,” Gallardo said, referring to his his closest rival this season, Nueva Ecija native Ronz Yuzon.

[Translation: In the first few legs, Ronz had the advantage because, whether we admit it or not, the tires are a big factor.]

“Noong nakabili na ako ng kaparehas na gulong na ginagamit niya, medyo dikit na kami ng laban,” he added. “Although siguro sa lakas ng sasakyan, siguro halos equal or lamang kanya nang onti.”

[Translation: When I was able to buy the same tires that he was using, the fight got closer. Although perhaps in terms of power, we might have been almost equal or his car was a bit stronger.]

Meanwhile, Muñoz said she initially had trouble adjusting to her car and to the high-speed layouts of PACS. She races a modified Honda Civic EK.

“I got into an accident in one of the races, which resulted in me going back to square one and gaining my confidence to race my car again,” she said.

However, Muñoz said she was able to get the Novice Best Time three times in a row shortly after.

International experience

Gallardo is also one of the few Filipino racers who has competed abroad, running in four legs of the Asian Auto Gymkhana Championship – two in Thailand, one in Indonesia and one in Taiwan.

He noted that his experience in racing abroad helped greatly when he raced again locally.

“Sa Gymkhana, parang autocross 'yan, sabay [In Gymkhana, it’s like autocross, the cars run at the same time],” Gallardo said.

“Kailangan kabisado mo yung tahi-tahing course nila,” he added. “Pero sa autocross, mas high-speed. Kumbaga, parang ang dating na yung course dito sa atin, ‘di na ganun kahirap.”

[Translation: You need to remember their highly technical courses. But in autocross, the layouts are more high-speed. In a sense, when you run courses in the Philippines, it’s not as difficult.]

Keep the passion alive

Gallardo and Muñoz said they both plan to continue racing in 2023, possibly going into circuit racing.

Gallardo also emphasized the importance of developing your skills to bag those championships.

“Then, setup ng kotse mo,” he said. “Tsaka kailangan talagang seryoso ka. At kahit papaano, may gastos talaga.”

[Translation: Then, the setup of your car. And you really need to be serious. In addition, you really have to spend money.]

Meanwhile, young Muñoz advised up-and-coming drivers to believe in themselves and to find a supportive team.

“Winning an overall title helps you build your character, so I believe that if you want to achieve something, keep your feet on the ground and always don’t forget to thank God for giving you an extraordinary talent,” she said.

Do you think you have what it takes to become a PACS champion, too?