SEAOIL and Car Porn Racing driver Gabe Tayao made his debut on American soil as he took part in the initial stage of the Simraceway Formula 3 driver development program at the famed Sonoma Raceway in California, USA.
Backed by Victoria Court, DC and Gold’s Gym, Tayao is the country’s next best bet in Formula single-seater racing.
The multi-awarded 16-year-old levelled up after capping off a stellar five-year career in karting with the top titles International Karter of the Year and Karter of the Year apart from several podium wins around Asia.
Despite the semi-wet track conditions, Tayao managed to clock in the fastest time, as well as break the track’s existing record for Formula 3 cars in just his second open lap session.
Stage 1 of the race school’s driver development program includes operations of the Lola Simraceway Formula 3 car, acceleration, threshold braking and downshifting exercises.
Tayao was also required to undergo classroom training for chassis dynamics, use of a dynamic skid pad to explore the boundaries of grip, chassis manipulation and driver sensitivity to feedback and control techniques.
“I’m truly grateful to my sponsors who made this Formula 3 driver training a dream come true. It has changed my perspective on things and presented a lot more options for me to race Formula 4 and Formula 3 cars abroad. I look forward to learning more since 2016 will be an intensive training year for me,” Tayao said.
Tayao is set to stay a month in the United States for training and TV guesting commitments before heading back to Manila to formally receive his Automobile Association of the Philippines Award for Driver of the Year in karting.
