Petron, BMW, Hyundai join AAP and DOT for FIA’s conference in PH

In a month, the Philippines will welcome former Formula 1 (F1) race driver Felipe Massa and some 500 international delegates to the FIA Sports Conference 2018 that’s taking place in Asia for the first time. An overwhelming support for this motorsport conference has been racing in with the likes of Petron as its official fuel partner, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation (BMW Philippines) and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. as logistics partners.

And while non-motorsport fans might ask why the big names seem to be thrilled with such gathering, one has first to understand that FIA, or the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, is ‘the’ governing body of four-wheel motor sport worldwide including the popular F1. In short, the Paris-based FIA is the authority in terms of standards, sanctions and regulations for the world of motorsports.

In the photo: Mary Ann Neri, Petron AVP for Marketing; Maricar Parco, BMW PH President; Mina Gabor, AAP Director of Tourism; Gus Lagman, AAP President; Spencer Uy, BMW PH Special Assistant to the Chairman

Given that, it is such an honor to receive its delegates from the FIA National Sporting Authorities (NSAs) and mobility clubs around the world, with recorded attendees from 245 organizations in 143 countries. Locally, the FIA NSA is the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), and upon winning the bid, AAP is hosting the first-ever conference in Asia, with the help of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Conference delegates will examine subjects that affect motor sport promoters, sponsors, and drivers worldwide. Discussions will also cover key topics such as creating a motor sport culture in new market and how to attract an increasingly saturated young audience in a fast-changing world. Leading figures in motor sport, both in Asia and worldwide, are expected to participate in the conference sessions. Also to be showcased will be the FIA Sport MotorEx, with an exhibition of companies and stakeholders of the global motor sport industry.

Other possible activities are an extrication demo and motor sport activities like drifting, auto cross, slalom, e-karting and the FIA-certified online Gran Turismo Asian Regional Finals Championship. The FIA plans to invite school children to the extrication demo and motor sport activities aside from opening them to the general public.  

The FIA Motor Sport Conference 2018, with the theme ‘Empowering the Future: Unlocking Motor Sport’s Potential’ is slated this June 4 to 6, 2018 in Manila.