Clarification: AAP not in motorcycle races

On behalf of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and in my capacity as chair of the AAP motorsports committee, I would like to call your attention to a falsehood in the cover story “Death in the morning” in the July 3 issue of the Sunday Inquirer Magazine (SIM).

In a sidebar to this story about the untimely and tragic death of motorcycle racer Maico Buncio at the Clark International Speedway, Johnny Tan, operator of the speedway and organizer of the motorcycle race in which young Buncio met his fatal accident, was reported by the writer, Dennis U. Eroa, to have said that “…the race … was sanctioned by the ruling National Motorcycling Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA) and the Automobile Association Philippines.”

What Tan said about AAP is simply and completely untrue.  As the representative of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in the Philippines, AAP is mandated to exercise governance over four-wheel motorsport events only.  In its 80-year history, AAP has never been involved in two-wheel (motorcycle) events and certainly did not sanction the motorcycle race in which Buncio was fatally injured.

Tan should know better than to make a statement that he knows very well to be untrue.  We will inquire separately with Tan as to the circumstances behind his statement and will take whatever action is necessary to protect AAP’s name and reputation.

—J. ARMANDO EDUQUE, chair,

Motorsports Committee,

Automobile Association Philippines,

(AAP) 683 Aurora Blvd. Quezon City

This refers to the article titled “A freak accident.” (Sunday Inquirer Magazine, 7/3/11) Johnny Tan was quoted to have said that the motorcycle race in which Maico Buncio was killed was “sanctioned by the ruling National Motocycling Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA) and the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).”  Tan might have said this during the interview, and we would like to make a correction and make this clear: The AAP is not the governing body for motorcycle races but for four-wheel races only. It was not involved or connected in any way to the incident.

—NELSON S. GAYOLA, Corporate Communications Department,

Batangas Racing Circuit