Filipino international race driver and two-time Philippine GT Champion Vincent “Enteng” Floirendo, having competed in a series of Porsche and Audi races abroad, is already preparing for another event in Sepang, Malaysia in November. As he takes a brief break from racing, Porsche Philippines welcomes the top driver.
Floirendo in late July posted an impressive result at the Porsche Motorsport GT2 Supersportscar Weekend held at Spa-Francorchamps. Driving for the first time at the famed 7.004-kilometer Belgian road circuit known for its extreme elevation changes and fast, sweeping corners, Floirendo was able to score a strong 10th-place finish amid a large grid.
His finishing position is all the more remarkable considering he only had two practice sessions, running 50 minutes each, during which time he had to familiarize himself with both the track and with the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport — which at the time he has never driven before. Despite this, he drove steadily to complete his first European race weekend with two flawless performances.
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport bears a close resemblance to the 911 GT2 RS road car as it features the same 700hp, 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine as the road-going model has. But weighing only 1,390 kilograms, the Clubsport is a full 80 kilograms lighter than its road-going cousin.
On October 19, Floirendo won first overall in the inaugural Porsche Sports Cup China held in Shanghai International Circuit. Belgian former racing driver, Jacques Bernard “Jacky” Ickx, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times, handed him the trophy.
In the Audi R8 LMS Sport Cup 2016, Floirendo placed 4th in the first round and 5th in class in the final race. Competing for the ENSport by Absolute Racing team, and driving the 585hp 5.2-liter V10 Audi R8 LMS, Floirendo had a challenging yet very exciting race alongside former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong, Marchy Lee of Hong Kong and Swiss lady driver Rahel Frey at the Shanghai International Circuit. Upgrading to the R8 LMS GT3 spec, he then scored a podium finish in the Am class in Thailand.
In 2018 he also competed in the GT Asia Series held at Sepang, where he shared the #55 ENSport by Absolute Racing machine with Adderly Fong from Hong Kong. Running against a 19-car grid, their efforts landed them a 3rd-place podium spot on their first outing together.
Floirendo’s racing stints with the Audi R8 LMS continued in the GT Asia Buriram in Thailand, where he placed 4th; in the GT Asia Ningbo in China, where he scored a 5th-place finish; and in the LMS Cup 2019 in Zhuhai, China, where he clinched a 3rd overall and an outright win in the Challenger Cup.
Floirendo, a successful Davao businessman who has always excelled in motorsport as he races karts, jet skis, classic cars and grand touring cars, is making waves for the Philippines in the international racing scene.