3 Car Shows You Should Check Out

Over 120 cars from different automotive eras are expected to wow visitors during the Grand 3-Ring Motoring Event from May 26 to 29.

When the doors of the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia opens for the car show on May 26, it marks the celebration of the Philippine car industry's longest running auto show--the Trans Sport Show.

It's no secret that the Trans Sport Show has been through ups and downs, depending on how the economy is affecting the auto industry. It has, however, also played a vital role in developing the Filipinos' love for cars.

"(The Trans Sport Show) has become the most important place where car enthusiasts are born and its resilience over the years makes it iconic," said Sophie delos Santos, president of TradeShow International (TSI). TSI is the organizer of the Trans Sport Show.

As part of its commemoration of the Trans Sport Show's 20th edition, TSI is also holding the 1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show to feature noteworthy automobiles that were manufactured up to 1989.

"Pinoys hold on to their cars for so many years--some even at least 10 years. There's family heritage there. With the Nostalgic Show, we want to promote this heritage and we want to encourage that," delos Santos said.

This year's car show is even going beyond just nostalgia as the Grand 3-Ring Car Motor Event will also be home to the 4th Manila Sports Car Club Concours d'Elegance to feature preserved and restored cars that were manufactured before December 31, 1976. As the most prestigious vintage car competition in the Philippines, the Concours is limited to 30 cars and they will be judged by experts from Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

"There are no local judges because we want to bring world-class standards to the Philippines," said Andres Sta. Maria, Manila Sports Car Club head.

Learn more about the Grand 3-Ring Motor Event here:

20th Trans Sport Show
1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show
4th MSCC Concours d'Elegance

Ferrari creates 599-based one-off for Ferrari collector

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Ferrari is ready to unveil the Ferrari Superamerica 45, a unique one-off model made by the Italian carmaker's Personalization Program and commissioned by Ferrari collector and enthusiast Peter Kalikow.

Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, the Ferrari Superamerica 45 was styled by Ferrari Design and built in-house based on the specifications given by Kalikow to mark his 45th year as a Ferrari client.

Everything about the car's design is unique, like the carbon-fiber rotating hard top and its integrated rear screen. The carbon-fiber boot is also new and is designed to house the roof, reduce drag and increase the downforce on the rear wheels. Double air vents highlight the front fender while the chromed front grille and burnished aluminum A-pillars, wing mirrors and door handles add to the Superamerica 45's bespoke touches.

Kalikow also specified that the Superamerica 45 be finished in Blue Antille to match an important car in his collection--a 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica cabriolet with serial number 2331SA.

The Superamerica 45's five-spoke wheels are body-colored while the roof and other carbon-fiber elements on the bodywork like the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser are finished in a special contrasting darker blue; a theme that's carried over to the car's interior with the carefully selected combination of Cuoio leather trim and Blu Scuro carbon fiber details to complement the latest-generation touch-screen infotainment system.

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Motorcade to bring Maico Buncio to his final resting place tomorrow

20 May 2011

Motorcade to bring Maico Buncio to his final resting place tomorrow

Expect traffic in Mandaluyong, Quezon City and Marikina to be heavy tomorrow as over 1,000 motorcycle riders have reportedly signified their intent to join the memorial motorcade for champion motorcycle racer Maico Buncio when he is brought to his final resting place in Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina tomorrow afternoon.

The motorcade will start at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe, Makati, and briefly take the EDSA southbound lane before turning right on Estrella Avenue to go to the Mandaluyong Circle via San Francisco Avenue.

The procession will then head to Boni Avenue and pause at the corners of Basilan Street and J.P. Rizal as Buncio's funeral car and the vehicles carrying his immediate family members will take a brief detour to pass by YRS Motorcycle Modifications, which is owned by the Buncio family, at the corner of Halcon and Talayan Streets before rejoining the motorcade.

After going through the tunnel along Pioneer Street, the motorcade will turn left on Reliance Street and roll on until Shaw Boulevard before taking the northbound lane of EDSA. The motorcade will then turn right on Temple Drive and traverse White Plains Avenue before taking Katipunan Avenue and finally proceeding toward Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

Motorcyclists who are planning to join the motorcade are advised to wait in one of four designated stations and wait for the funeral procession to pass by before joining it at the tail end.

The stations are:

* Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe;

* Mandaluyong Circle;

* Temple Drive (EDSA Freedom Monument); and

* Katipunan Avenue near Barangka, Marikina

To easily identify the riders who are part of the procession, a black-and-yellow ribbon should be tied to the motorcycle's left-side mirror.

"Ang number ni Maico, 129, is yellow, and yung edge ng number is black," explained Mel Aquino, the motorcade's organizer. "Yellow also means peace, and black is for the condolences. Yun ang bilin ni Sir Yoyong Buncio (Maico’s father)."

While traffic is expected to be heavier than normal in the areas the funeral procession will pass by, let us remember that this is being done to honor one of the best--if not the best--motorcycle racers our country has ever seen.

Rest in peace, Maico.

20th Trans Sport Show

Now on its 20th year, the Trans Sport Show is once again set to open its doors for car enthusiasts to see the 120 of the latest show cars from the automotive aftermarket industry. The 2011 Trans Sport Show moves to the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall Of Asia from its regular home at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall, and will be held from May 26 to 29, 2011.

From its inception in 1992 as a general automotive show, Trans Sport Show has evolved from just a motorshow to becoming a part of the culture of Filipino automotive enthusiasts.

"It is amazing to meet enthusiasts who have been attending the show since 1992 – who now have children with the same interest and passion and have become Trans Sport Show patrons themselves," say Sophie delos Santos, Tradeshow International President.

The Trans Sport Show will be the venue for competing automotive aftermarket brands, custom car shops and tuning houses to show off their latest works of automotive art. As a throwback to the success of the Trans Sport Show for the past 20 years, this year's edition will showcase 13 of the Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show winners from past years. Making this milestone show even more special will be the attendance of Barry Meguiar, host of Speed TV series Car Crazy and President & CEO of Meguiar's Car Care Products.

Another bonus for the 2011 running of the TSS - branded as the Grand 3-Ring Motoring Event - are two other shows that will be taking place at the same venue, as the Trans Sport Show will also be the host of two other events: the 1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show (PNMS) and the 4th Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC) Concours Concours d' Elegance .

The Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC) Concours d' Elegance is the most prestigious vintage car competition in the Philippines, bar none. Limited to 30 of the best restored and preserved cars in the Philippines, entries will be judged by automotive experts from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan led by Chief Judge Osamu Hasegawa.

Also to be held at the TSS is the 1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show with a very special display of 12 collectible and some rare vintage racing vehicles. Old school car enthusiasts and historic racing aficionados will be given a treat as the lineup of cars ranges from rare cars like the 1960 Alfa Romeo Giullietta, to fast classics like a 1973 Porsche RSR, and even the popular 1984 Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo.

"Trans Sport Show literally spans generations and transcends demographic boundaries, drawing car lovers from all over," concludes delos Santos.

The Grand 3-Ring Motoring event is being co-presented by Phoenix Fuels and is sponsored in part by The House of Precast, Solar Auto Club and 3M Philippines. Service Providers include Meguiar’s (Exclusive Detailer), Dream Limo (Official VIP Ride), Auto Transporter (Official Car Carrier), Motorola (Official Communications) and DC Audio Rhythmix (Official Lights Provider) . Other sponsors are C!, Calibre, Top Gear, Power Wheels, 99.5RT, Crossover 105.1, Dream FM 106.7, DZRH 666, Magic 89.9, UR 105.9, DWIZ, 97 Home Radio, DZRJ 100, DZRJ 810, Inside Motoring, Turbo Time, Business Mirror, Businessworld, Chinese Commercial News, Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard Today, Manila Times, Malaya Business Insight, Philippine Star, Padi’s Point, Lazer Maxx, Gotcha, Auto Review, Sunshine TV, Motoring Today, Auto Focus, Stoplight TV, Pinoy Extreme, The Kampamilya Channel, Jack TV, Auto Extreme, and AutoIndustriya.com For more details, call Tradeshow International, Inc. at 6713122, 6718381-82.

1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show

Mapua Car 2011

3rd PIMS: ASX – Mitsubishi’s new Crossover is here!

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) has finally unveiled the much awaited compact crossover vehicle in the market at the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show. Known as the RVR in other countries, the new Mitsubishi model will be called here in the Philippines as the ASX, which stands for “Active Sports Crossover”.

The new Mitsubishi ASX will hit your nearest Mitsubishi dealers late August and is available in three variants, namely: GLS SE CVT 6-speed Sportronic (4WD), GLS CVT 6-speed Sportronic (2WD), and the GLX MT 5-speed Manual (2WD).

The ASX is packed with features such as: a multi-information display meter and a 6.2-inch touch screen LCD monitor with a built-in DVD/CD/MP3/WMA player, that also provides a GPS Navigation system for the GLS and GLS SE models.

Under the hood is Mitsubishi’s 4B11 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC MIVEC engine that gives you ample power in a compact body. The multi-select 4WD system available for the GLS SE model enables the driver to be better-equipped to maneuver in more difficult road conditions.

According to Mitsubishi product planning manager Mr. Leo Samonte, the Mitsubishi ASX will “give the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Soul, Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-7, Chevrolet Captiva, Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Grand Livina, Suzuki SX-4 Crossover and the Suzuki Grand Vitara a noteworthy competition”.

Price:

GLS SE CVT 6-speed Sportronic (4WD) = PHP 1.498 million

GLS CVT 6-speed Sportronic (2WD) = PHP 1.225 million

GLX MT 5-speed M/T (2WD) = PHP 1.145 million

3rd PIMS: Hot Cars with Hot Girls

Believe it or not, car show models excite most people in a motor show next to new and hot cars. That’s at least according to CAMPI.org’s poll result.

If for some reason you missed the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show at the World Trade Center and wanted to see the girls at the show and or forgot to bring your camera to take photos of them, then you need not worry because our lenses framed them permanently for your viewing pleasure.

3rd PIMS: Celebrities Spotted!

Here are some photos of celebrities we’ve spotted at the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show.

President Benigno “Noy-Noy” Aquino III – If you can consider the President as a celebrity then P-Noy should be number 1 on this list.

Bianca Gonzales – Popular TV host Bianca Gonzales hosted Honda’s presentation. She’s a proud Honda owner for seven years now.

Jojo Alejar – We’ve spotted talk show host and 80′s baby Mr. Jojo Alejar, probably recording some video clips for his show, “Jojo A – All the way!”

Ryan Cayabyab - Mr. C helped the guys from BMW present their magnificent car line-up in the opening day.

Nanette Inventor – Singer/Actress/Comediene entertained the show goers at the Isuzu booth last Thursday.

DJ Tony-Tony and Jessica – Magic 89.9 DJs Tony-Tony and Jessica hosted for Toyota’s opening day presentation.

Nicole Scherzinger > Banging Body + Banging Bentley

Banging Body + Banging Bentley" Before coming across this I've never heard of Nicole Scherzinger but I've seen the light! Check out Nicole throwing up the "Asian" peace while climbing in her Bentley.