THERE is a perception that motorsports is just for the elite, those with money and rubber to burn.
Garahista will change that notion.
“We want to show what motorsports is since the perception of people on motorsports is that it is for the rich, so we want to try to change that perception. Racing is for everybody especially for people who love cars,” said Milo Rivera, host of the first reality-based motorsports show on Philippine TV.
Named Garahista, derived from the words garahe (garage) and karerista (racer), this half-hour show, which premiered on primetime last Thursday on ABS-CBN Sports + Action after the NBA playoffs, features teams from different walks of life as they build and race their vehicles in different racing platforms.
Garahista director Cesar Marquez and Rivera granted Manila Standard an interview at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum last Tuesday at the Golden Phoenix Hotel, where they promoted their TV show.
Marquez revealed that for the first season of Garahista, seven teams from all walks of life are given a second-hand, stock car to tinker with and transform into racing machines with the use of just P30,000. The teams worked 30 hours non-stop and are now preparing to race their “builds.”
“There are shows like this abroad, but this is the first of its kind on Philippine television, and I’m sure car and racing enthusiasts will be elated to have this show just for them,” said Marquez in the forum backed by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Accel and Golden Phoenix Hotel.
“Our racers get limited money and limited time. After their build, magda-drag race sila, magsa-slalom sila under the supervision of the AAP (Automobile Association of the Philippines), so hindi ito basta-basta karera na nagbuo ng race car at kinarera na lang basta,” added Marquez. “Garahista is about us. It is about our sincere desire to excel, to achieve our dreams despite the limitations and challenges. No matter what is given us, we will be determined to finish the race that has been set before us.”
Rivera, who is co-hosting the show with DJ, Vlogger and Racer Joyce Pring, said Garahista is their means to spread to the world that motorsports is for everyone, not just for the elite.
“This is a good avenue to promote motorsports. It will be held in mall parking lots so that people coming out from the department stores and groceries can watch something as they go out or before they go in,” said Rivera, a World Gymkhana Racing Champion.
“You have people, you have teams, you have drivers, mechanics from all walks of life. ‘Yung iba mga ex-race car drivers na tumigil because of financial constraints. You have car dealers and playstation enthusiasts, gusto nila to feel the excitement of an actual race. You have people from everywhere put together in one competition. One thing that is common about them is they love cars. Given the concept of the show, they try to put out something out of nothing because of limited budget and time. It’s really nice to know that ‘ganoon lang ang ginawa nila, ganoon na katulin?’ I’m all for it because we pursue something that we love,” added Rivera.
Garahista is held under the supervision of the Automobile Association of the Philippines and is backed by Dunlop, Rota Wheels, Tru Health, Fontana, Back Stage, Solaire, Palawan International Circuit, Batagas Racing Circuit, Carmona Race Circuit, Clark International Speedway, AeroMed, WalterMart Taytay, United Auctioneers, Dad and Mom’s Family Restaurant, Rosario Cars and Brembo Brakes.
The show’s pilot episode aired last Thursday to good reviews from car and motorsports enthusiasts, but director Marquez vows there is more to expect in the succeeding episodes.
“Gagalingan pa namin ang paggawa. Action-packed segments start on episode 3. Ang first two kasi profiling pa lang ng mga racers,” said Marquez
