Pampanga Home Depot hosts 1st Pampanga Motorshow

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The Home Depot Pampanga branch hosted the 1st Pampanga Motorshow over the weekend, its theme dubbed as “Anything with Wheels.” The Home Depot has been known to regularly hold auto shows and car club gatherings in other branches, which was started by its first branch, the Ortigas Home Depot, several years ago. Also fondly called “EB’s” or “eyeball events,” its expansive parking make these events reminiscent of the festive open car park gatherings of the 1980s where car enthusiasts gather together in commercial parking lots to showcase their cars and visitors are expected to mingle with the car owners, have their photos taken beside these rarely seen cars. Unlike most indoor car shows, these cars were not cordoned off and visitors could view them up close.

Despite the uncertain weather, good weather prevailed and car enthusiasts were treated to a blast from the past as over 100 classic and custom cars, 4×4 SUVs, motorbikes and even classic collector bicycles paraded on the open parking grounds of the Pampanga Home Depot located along NLEX corner Olongapo-Gapan Road. From 4×4 vehicles, European and Japanese classic cars, American muscle cars, custom-tuned drift cars as well as motorbikes were showcased in the first-ever Pampanga auto event. There was also a drift demo held in the afternoon staged by Audel Sison of Team Autocraft and Joma Montenaire of G Motorworks, much to the delight of the show visitors.

Both the cities of San Fernando and Angeles in Pampanga are known for its active drag racing events and go-kart races and its Angeles Hot Rod Association remains one of the oldest drag racing clubs in the Philippines. Also known as “bangers,” these V-8 American muscle cars are a regular feature in the custom car culture in these two cities. Since muscle car craze during the heydays of the American military presence in the 1970s, swap meets and motor events are part of Pampanga’s persona. More recently, off-road driving by Pampanga’s local 4×4 clubs have also formed an active component in the province’s automotive landscape. It is common to hear about 4×4 trekking adventures in the various outdoor backroads of its lahar canyons, river trails and other sites in the nearby Mount Pinatubo. Last 1991, the centuries-old dormant volcano exploded one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century, leaving behind several trailing sites for 4×4 adventure seekers. The recent opening of Clark Speedway had also definitely added to the motor sports awareness in the province.

A chance to win a trip for two to Singapore GP

Raffle and quiz contest prizes were given away all throughout the day from Formula One merchandise courtesy of Red Rock Travel and other freebies from The Home Depot and Shine Car Shampoo. The motorshow participants were asked to join for a chance to win a trip for two, courtesy of Inquirer Motoring and Singapore GP, as one pair of lucky Formula One fans will win a pair of round-trip airfares, including three room nights along with race tickets to the 2011 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX (leaving Manila on September 23 and returning on the 26th of September). To join the contest, send an e-mail to [email protected] with your name, address, contact numbers, and write in 25 words or less why you should be sent to the Singapore Grand Prix. Last day of submission shall be at 12 noon of Sept. 8, 2011. One entry per person will be allowed. For more information about the race and its events, visit www.singaporegp.sg. For more information on how to purchase tickets and travel packages to SGP locally, contact Red Rock Travel at tel. 4334245, 7386614 or 09178923516, or visit its website at www.redrocktravel.net.

This event was organized by Team Adventure Pampanga with the help of Villa Productions and was co-presented by General Motors Advanced Tech Training Center, and Baps Bakdoor Grill. The other sponsors were Subaru Pampanga, St. Catherine Realty, Cignal Digital TV, Bank of Florida, House of David Realty and Development, San Fernando City Government, GNN TV44, RW 95.1FM. Minor sponsors include Sancatuario de San Fernando Memorial Gardens, Maligaya 168 Shopping Center, D&Y Paintshoppe, Petron, Shine Car Shampoo, Pampanga’s Best, Coca-Cola San Fernando and Marquee Residences.