TEN government offices and agencies are joining hands with the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) to ensure the success of the FIA Sport Conference 2018 to be held in Pasay City June 4 to 6.
The AAP, with the backing of the Department of Tourism, won the international bid in 2017 to host the FIA Sport Conference 2018.
The FIA Sport Conference (FIA SC) is held every year by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, the Paris-based governing body of all four-wheel motor sport worldwide, including Formula One, the World Rally Championship and 24 Hours at Le Mans.
Over 300 delegates representing 245 FIA member organizations in 143 countries are expected to attend the FIA SC 2018, the theme of which is “Empowering the Future: Unlocking Motor Sport’s Potential.”
The AAP is the only FIA member organization in the Philippines and has the rank of both National Sporting Authority (NSA) and mobility club.
In his letter to FIA member clubs, FIA president Jean Todt said that the FIA SC 2018 will focus on creating a motor sport culture in new markets, attracting an increasingly busy young audience in a fast-changing world, and involving the next generation in the future of motor sport, both as fans and participants.
The Conference, Todt said, will examine subjects that affect the FIA’s national sporting authorities (NSAs) and mobility clubs, motor sport promoters, sponsors and drivers worldwide.
On June 5 and 6, drifting, cross car racing, eKarting and auto gymkhana demonstrations will be held at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.
Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, who retired from Formula One racing only last year, will benchmark an official time that young local karters will try to beat.
The AAP’s partners in hosting the Conference are the Department of Tourism, Petron Corporation as official energy partner, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. as official vehicle partner, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation (BMW Philippines), Philippine Airlines and San Miguel Corporation as major sponsors.
This is the first time that the FIA SC will be held in Asia, the first five having been held in the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, Italy and Switzerland.