ALFONSI Rei Santos Daquigan is a living proof that most of racing champions are born, and not made.
Son of a former racer and nephew of Asian Filipino vintage car racing titlist, Daquigan displayed his motorsports genes as he recently emerged champion of the Daijiro Cup West Japan Minibike Championship’s Novice Class at the Ikoma Racing Circuit in Osaka Japan.
The 8-year-old student of Golden Values School in Novaliches fended of the challenge of Takumi Fukui from the host country and Rio Turner from New Zealand in the finals to win his debut race in the international scene and end the year on a winning note.
“This has got to be my most memorable race so far because of the high competition and level of riding skills that they (field) have. The chances of winning are very slim,” said Daquigan, who was also the champion in the Carrera Grande Pocketbike Championship and a second placer in the Petron National Karting Series.
“I’m a racer in both 4 wheels (Gokart) and 2 wheels (motorcycle), but I prefer 2 wheels because it’s more fun and more competitive,” added Daquigan, whose father Dannie is the twin brother of Dexter, recent overall champion of the Classic Mini Championship Asia at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
Like his kin, Daquigan knows that perseverance could lead to great things. During the Saturday qualifying, he took a spill twice after failing to find the right temperature of his wheels due to the intense cold. He still, however, placed third in the pole entering the final race on Sunday.
A brilliant takeoff had Daquigan scooting to a good lead, but Fukui made it interesting by threatening in the last lap. But Daquigan kept his focus and the lead all the way to the finish, winning the race by virtually the skin of his teeth—a .1 of a second lead.
Despite his youth, Daquigan’s winning attitude is commendable.
“I want to win every race, whether it’s a small race or big race, whether international or local,” said Daquigan. “I also want to become more mature because of the people that surround me and to be more serious and how to understand the behavior and the potential of the bike.”
Daquigan, who also plays other sports like basketball, chose motorsports “because it’s more competitive.”
And it looks like, he has chosen wisely.
“In Carmona (racing circuit), the standard time on pocket bike is 58 seconds and I was lapping 48 seconds, a 10-second difference between the lap record,” said Daquigan, who is enjoying the competition outside of the country. “The reality is, it’s so hard not just to race but to stay at the top level with other motorcycle racers in Japan, but I’m a competitor. Hopefully, I can become a successful rider.”