 |
Tyson Sy
Living the legacy
History has shown that Filipinos can excel in international motorsports. Prodigious Tyson Sy has Indianapolis within realistic reach.
Words by Paulo Rafael T. Subido; Photography by Richard Garcia
If only motorsports here have the same status as boxing and billiards, we wouldn't have a problem sending our race-car drivers to tracks around the world. If Bata and Pacman can bring pride to the Philippines with their pool cues and boxing gloves, so can our countrymen who pilot high-performance racing machinery. Some ask, "Why would Filipinos care for a sport such as motor racing, when they already have heroes whom they can relate and gain access to?"
Well, regardless of the sports disciplines he pursues, every Filipino has the right to represent his country, and in the field of motor racing, history has shown that we are more than capable. Sadly, the exploits (past and present) of our Filipino drivers remain obscure to the general public. The names "Marcelo" and "Laurel" have been relegated to the archives of Pinoy motorsports. Only the enthusiasts would know of them. Mention their names to the man-on-the-street and chances are he wouldn't know Dodjie Laurel won the Macau Grand back to back in 1962 and 1963, or that Jovy Marcelo made it to the Indianapolis 500 in 1992. These races are just a few steps away from the pinnacle that is Formula One, but the careers of these past heroes were tragically cut short.
More than half a century since the birth of Philippine motorsports, the climb hasn't become easier for our drivers. But among the current crop, there is one that stands out. Despite the odds, Kristian Rome ‘Tyson' Sy is pressing on, pursuing his dream of making it in the international arena.
When we first interviewed him a few years back, his goal of making it to Formula One seemed lofty. Tyson was a skinny 15-year-old then, very soft-spoken and shy. When asked what his ambition was, his reply was akin to hearing a youngster say that he wanted to be an astronaut.
Tyson is 19 years old now, and in the four years since we last spoke, he has grown into a young man. "I still get the same feeling before every race," he says when asked if his mindset has changed. "But now the competitiveness is different. There are drivers out there that are really fast. You have to work hard to win. In my last race, I was in last place but I still finished second. I worked hard talaga."
He is obviously more focused, confident and driven, and he has the race results that make him the undisputed choice to carry our flag into the world of international racing. He has come a long way in such a short span of time, and he is getting closer to reaching his dream of competing in Formula One.
Tyson finished second overall in the 2006 Asian Formula 3 series. Prior to this, he had won numerous accolades. Having started karting at 11, he moved on to Formula BMW at 15. With a total of eight years under his belt, he has the experience necessary to make it. And unlike other racers, there is no hype that surrounds him. His record lap times and podium finishes speak for themselves.
"In 1999, I finished third in my first kart race," says Tyson. "My coach told me that I could do this as a career. From there, ‘yun na, that was the year I started." From that moment, Tyson knew he was fast, but "I didn't expect anything," he adds with a laugh. "It was my first race, I just wanted to try it out and I got lucky." His supporters think otherwise. Tyson has been racking up the trophies ever since.
As you read this, Tyson has already moved on from the Asian Formula 3 series and onto the next level. He now competes in the Star Mazda Series, having won a seat with Team G.FRO, based in San Clemente, California (see sidebar for more about the team and the series).
Tyson tested with the team in December at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park in California. Driving a F2000 Zetec, he broke the lap record of team leader and US F2000 Zetec runner-up Dane Cameron during the test.
The choice to race in the US was a simple one, says Tyson. "Last year was my third year in AF3. I think I have enough experience in Asia and I have to move up. If I join the European series like the British or Italian Formula 3, malayo pa ang mga steps to F1. But with Star Mazda, I can move up to Formula Atlantic and then hopefully in three years, I can make it to Indy. From Indy, puwede naman pumunta ng F1, just like Montoya. I still have the chance and the steps are smaller. Mag-America na lang tayo!" Yet Tyson is never the type to keep all the fortune to himself. Based on his answers, even his friends, family, teammates and supporters are coming along for the ride.
"We've handled Tyson for two years," says Edgen Dy-Liacco. "He is really a good driver. He makes mistakes, but I'm sure he has learned a lot from the last two years. I know that he will make it big in the States. Star Mazda is a wise step because if he wins the championship, he also wins a seat in the Formula Toyota Atlantic series. Among Filipino drivers, I would rate Tyson as the best, not because he drove for us but because I know so. He will go a long way. He has the skill and he has the results to prove it, but he still remains humble and that is important."
When asked who inspires him in the world of Philippine motorsports, it is surprising that there are only two men. "Dodjie Laurel and Jovy Marcelo are the only ones that I look up to," he says. Aware or not, Tyson is continuing the Pinoy racing legacy that began in the ‘50s, and he is having a blast. "For me, racing is fun talaga," he shares. "Eto ‘yung gusto ko. This is what I want to do."
The late greats are smiling from the grandstands in the sky.
Post your opinion in our Top Gear Forum!
Top Gear Philippines - April 2007
|
|
Top Gear's informative, entertaining and readable
guide to every new car on
sale. Search Car
Download these wallpapers
right to your desktop.
Download
|
|
