Ace drag racing driver Jonathan Tiu won his second straight Golden Wheel National Driver of the Year recently in the 7th Golden Wheel Awards night at the PAGCOR Grand Theater in Parañaque City.

Tiu edged out Karter of the Year Joey Orduna for the highly-coveted plum of Philippine Motorsports in this event backed up by PAGCOR Sports and Casino Filipino.

Tiu earned the majority vote of the Judging Committee to cop his unprecedented six straight drag racing crowns. Orduna, on the other hand, became the youngest champion and the first to clinch both Junior Karter and Karter of the Year diadems in a single season.

The Golden Wheel Foundation, chaired by RP Motorsports godfather Johnny Tan, also elevated businessman Robert Aventajado, the Philippine Taekwondo Association president, to the Hall of Fame.

Aventajado, who’s more known as the undisputed “King of Pantabangan,” became a car rallye icon after bagging the Auto Rallye Club of the Philippines (ARCP) Driver of the Year for four straight years – a record that still stands until now.

Reminiscing the days when he was 60 pounds lighter during his speech, Aventajado credited the life-risking lessons in motorsports to succeed in negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of hostages in Mindanao.

Receiving their respective Golden Wheel awards were Masato Fernando for Underbone racing, Donark Yuzon for Motocross, Maico Greg Buncio for Superbikes, Alex Perez for Drifting, Dr. Peewee Mendiola for Slalom, Kenrich Mikhael Diaz for Rallycross, Reighnbert Diwa for 4x4 Off Road racing, Paul Henderson Perez for Philippine Grand Touring, Joey Orduna for Philippine Karting, and Tin Sritrai of Thailand for Asian Karting.

Tan, in his speech, encouraged the drivers to compete in more races abroad and pursue the dream of seeing a prominent Filipino world champion in the international scene.

The Golden Wheel Awards Night, bearing the theme “Fostering unity and genuine sportsmanship, committed to excellence,” also handed out Plaques of Appreciation to corporate sponsors San Miguel Corporation, Petron, PagCor Sports, Casino Filipino, Yokohama Tires, Suzuki Phils., and Sel J Pharma-Therasil Lozenges for their valuable support to Philippine Motorsports.