The historic Fort Stotsenburg parade grounds in Clark, Pampanga, echoed with the roar of engines and the cheers of spectators as the inaugural CIFOS d’ Elegance took center stage. This captivating parade of vintage, classic, modern classic, and motorsport-oriented cars showcased the passion and dedication of automotive enthusiasts.
Organized by Kilton Motor Corporation President Johnny Tan, the tour took participants on a scenic journey through the historic sites of Clark Freeport Zone, culminating at the Clark International Speedway. Eighty cars from renowned car clubs such as Miata Club Philippines, Grupo Toyota, Slowkids, and Angeles Hot Rod Association participated in the event.
Driving Forward
Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, President of Clark Development Corporation, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This is something remarkable. This is something historical. Let’s build on this. It will not just be during the time that we celebrate CIFOS. But it’s got to be something that we have to repeat at least every quarter, just to be able to generate the interest.”
Tan reveals that the parade concept was first mentioned by Devanadera to make Clark an automotive tourism hub. He then researched and came up with the two best Tour d’ Elegance in the world—Pebble Beach Tour d’ Elegance in California and Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.
Aiming to make CIFOS d’ Elegance an annual tradition with at least 300 cars on the Fort Stotsenburg strip, “My dream is to make this a yearly event, participated not only by automotive enthusiasts from Luzon but also from Visayas and Mindanao,” Tan said. “Hopefully we can invite some of our Japanese fand American friends to join the Tour d’ Elegance in the future.”
Tan also said that since Clark is a freeport zone, the easy process to bring cars into the country can also transform CIFOS to become a whole week affair for automotive enthusiasts.
Developing Filipino Innovation
Marino Bañola, City Councilor of Angeles, Pampanga, representing Mayor Carmelo G Lazatin Jr. on the other hand, emphasized the significance of CIFOS as a symbol of the city’s development and the talent of Filipino drivers. “From electric wheels to advanced safety features, you will witness firsthand incredible strides being made in automotive technology,” Bañola said.
Dennis Ayuyao, Clark International Speedway Chief Operating Officer also thanked everybody who attended and hopes CIFOS becomes an annual event. “As President Agnes has said, we’ll build on it. Our commitment is to continue supporting Clark in endeavors like this.”
Clark As An Automotive Hub
Indeed, the automotive industry has undergone an extraordinary transformation from the latest advancement in electric vehicles to groundbreaking technology. Dir. Richard Daenos, Region III Department of Tourism said, “We are witnessing an era where innovation is shaping the future of mobility. This expo is a testament to that progress, bringing together industry leaders, experts, enthusiasts and innovators to showcase and explore the cutting-edge developments redefining the way we think about transportation.”
The DOT Director also said that Clark is a key player in the world of sports tourism, more particularly motorsports. He says, with the strong commitment to infrastructure development, Clark has facilities that cater to a wide range of automotive events.
Furthermore, Daenos attests that Clark provides an environment that meets the needs of both professional racers and recreational enthusiasts. It is committed to sustainability and embraces future forward automotive technologies. He says strategic location, easy access to world class facilities and transportation hubs makes Clark an ideal venue for automotive events ideal to local and global audiences.
Automotive Tourism Weekend
CIFOS 4 Wheel Expo also featured several national series races, car club track experiences and World of Fun game arcades, making it a fun-filled weekend for the whole family. The Legends of the 90s – Clark Invitational, a showcase of classic 90s vehicles, added to the excitement of the expo.
The 4 Wheel Expo likewise featured exhibits from leading automotive brands like Ford Clark, Nissan Clark, Kia Clark, BMW Pampanga, and Jeep Clark. NMCI International, Inc., Kart Plaza Manufacturing, Tiara Marketing, and GT Radial Philippines also showcased their latest products and accessories.
CIFOS 4 Wheel Expo was sponsored by Brittany Corporation and organized by Clark International Speedway in cooperation with the Clark Development Corporation. It was also supported by Petron.
