In one of the most intense and unforgettable races of the season, 11-year-old Ayrton Gono Atienza delivered a breathtaking performance to secure 1st place in the MiniRok category at ROK Cup Asia Philippines Round 5, held July 19 and 20 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.
Representing the JVL/Autoplus Racing Team, Ayrton clocked a best lap time of 1:01.643 and completed the 10-lap race over Augusto Mate of Resultado Racing PH and Sebastian Lukas Galana of Team EVS, who posted lap times of 1:02.421 and 1:04.766, respectively.
But this wasn’t just any race. It was a night race—dark, rain-drenched, and fiercely competitive. As the event began, the skies opened up and heavy rain poured down, turning the track into a slick and unforgiving battleground. With barely any visibility and slippery conditions all around, every driver knew this wasn’t just a race—it was a battle of nerves and raw talent.
Ayrton started 5th on the grid, but when the lights went out, he slipped back to 11th. For young drivers, that could’ve been a breaking point. But not for Ayrton. He kept his composure, found his rhythm, and began chipping away at the gap.
His comeback unfolded in his lap times. From a cautious 1:05.059 on Lap 1, he trimmed it down to 1:03.817 on Lap 2, then to 1:03.437 on Lap 3. By the fourth lap, he was locked in. Under the rain and lights, Ayrton set the fastest lap of the race at 1:01.643.
From that point on, Ayrton was all precision. Laps 5 through 10 hovered in the low 1:02s—consistent, composed, and razor-sharp. Corner after corner, he built momentum and never let up. When the race ended, Ayrton crossed the line in 10:29.553—8 seconds ahead of Augusto Mate of Resultado Racing PH.
Asked about his dramatic finish, Ayrton said: “Believe. Just believe that you can do it, overtake your opponents, and stay focused. That’s what kept me going. Even with the rain, the slippery track, and racing at night, I found my rhythm, regained my confidence, and pushed through to the finish.”
Karting, as it turns out, runs deep in the family. Ayrton is the grandson of Carlos Gono, founder of Autoplus Sports Center, and nephew of well-known racer Luis Gono. But while the pedigree is there, Ayrton’s approach is simple: Race with heart. “I just enjoy driving. Every race, I learn something new,” he said. “It feels good to win, but I know there’s still so much more to improve.”
Trained by veteran karting coach John Dizon, Ayrton has been on a fast track since he took up the sport at age 9. His latest win not only adds to his growing resume but also signals the rise of the next generation of Filipino racers.
With several more legs in the season ahead, Ayrton’s victory is just the beginning of what looks to be a promising journey in motorsports.