They say that dreams come true or foretell a future event.
This statement is true for Max Trinidad, a 5-year-old first-time go-kart driver who won the EHPAF Karting Series (EKS) 2022 Round 3 Race 5, which was also the first-ever night race in Southeast Asia last May 13-14 at City Kart, Porac, Pampanga.
Maximino “Max” Isaguirre Trinidad was introduced to go-karts only last February. It was only a trial experience for him that eventually led to a series of karting clinics and sessions coached by Race Engineer, Pacho Blanco, of Team Blanco Race Engineering (Team BRE).
It was first through a skateboard video that Max was spotted by Coach Pacho. He was doing his fearless stunts in the village which was shared by his dad, Ronnie Fortuny Trinidad, a motoring journalist from AutoCar magazine. Coach Pacho saw the potential in him that he is strong spirited and enjoys speed.
The EKS is a National Karting Championship in the Philippines founded and organized by EHPAF Racing Services managed by Jean-Marc Freihuber situated at Alviera Ayala Estates.
March 26 to 27 was the first race of the series and that was when Coach Pacho gave a green light for Max to join the race. Normally it takes months to train, practice and see the individual’s potential. But for Max, he was determined to join and put his skills and capabilities to the test.
He is the second to the youngest in the Bambino Series for the age group of 4-6 years old and there were a total of 6-7 competitors with different level of experiences. Some drivers have been racing for years already while some are starters as well.
Parents and karters of City Kart Racing Team remembered how the first time racer, Max performed during his first run, he was not following the formation grid which led to several talks from the organizers to rebrief him; he was spinning out, hitting some karters and not following the racing lines. He also spun out and hit the barriers and was even checked by the medics to make sure he had no bruises or pains. That incident made him stronger and determined to still continue and finish the race.
For parents Ronnie and Tinni Trinidad, they knew how motorsports can be dangerous, especially for their only son; but they were willing to provide him the opportunity to try and to experience the privilege of karting while Daddy Ronnie produces live coverage during the race.
Ronnie shared, “Never in my wildest dreams I have thought my son would be karting. Seeing his size I felt like he would be better in basketball. It’s a blessing that we are able to do this. I know it will be expensive to do. We are just lucky that I get to work for the series. I started last year at the end of the series that Jean-Marc Freihuber requested for my services, as I produce the live video for the series to air on Facebook and other materials he needed. It eventually helped us fill the bill for him to go karting. Sometimes you don’t get what you want but God gives you something more special.”
He added, “Imagine this! I was directing a live video and that day I had to commentate because the MC host was not available. All this during my son’s race! It was hard to control my emotions while commenting, after he won. I wanted to hug and celebrate while I was live on Facebook. But I couldn’t because the race official had to work with me with some replays. Deep inside I was crying of happiness and he walked in my broadcast room asking how he did and I told him he was 1st place. With that smile I was just melting inside. What an experience. That’s how God works. Only he can create this.
“We just had to trust the Coach Pacho Blancho and we knew he have to work and do the best time in the kart. And the only way to get better is to practice and practice. I even told him of a saying in basketball that if you’re good at basketball you probably sleep on the court already. He literally wanted to sleep on the race track. But we didn’t.”
Every night of storytelling time of Daddy Ronnie and Max made the young go karter determined to win a trophy. He always aimed to be number 1 and imagined that he overtook his other competitors. For two months, every night it was his dream and winning a trophy during the Race 5 was an answered prayer. Every night also, he prays to Papa Jesus that he will grant him his wish. And indeed – Mark 10:13-16 “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”.
Upcoming races:
- June 11 to 12, 2022
- July 16 to 17, 2022
- August 20 to 21, 2022
- September 10 to 11, 2022
- October 8 to 9, 2022
- November 12 to 13, 2022
We hope to see you in the next race at City Kart, Porac Pampanga!