Arsenio Laurel
Encyclopedia
Arsenio "Dodjie" Laurel was a champion race car driver from the Philippines
. He was the first two-time winner of the Macau Grand Prix
, winning it consecutively in 1962 and 1963.
, the President of the Philippines
during the Japanese occupation
, while his brothers would eventually serve the country as Vice President (Salvador "Doy" Laurel
), House Speaker (José B. Laurel, Jr.
), senator (Sotero Laurel II
), ambassador (José S. Laurel III), and congressmen.
. He was among the first champion racers in the early years of organized auto racing in the Philippines, driving his 1954 Studebaker
on the oval of the Santa Ana Hippodrome
in Manila
(when the horses were not running). He also excelled in karting and drag racing
, and was a licensed helicopter pilot. In the mid 1960s, he was also known to TV viewers as the first host of Motoring News, which became the longest-running Filipino TV program about the motoring industry.
His success in the Asian racing scene in the 60s earned him an invitation to race with a European team which he politely declined.
41 skidded out of control, tried to avoid hitting some spectators by driving the car into the sea wall. The crash caused his car to burst into flames, leaving him trapped inside. He was the first casualty of the Macau Grand Prix.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He was the first two-time winner of the Macau Grand Prix
Macau Grand Prix
The Macau Grand Prix is a motor-racing event held annually in Macau, one of China's Special Administrative Regions. It is known for being the only street circuit racing event in which both car and motorcycle races are held...
, winning it consecutively in 1962 and 1963.
Early Life
Born on December 14, 1931, Arsenio Laurel was a scion of a prominent political family in the Philippines. A lawyer by profession, he was the youngest of nine children. His father was José P. LaurelJose P. Laurel
José Paciano Laurel y García was the president of the Republic of the Philippines, a Japanese-sponsored administration during World War II, from 1943 to 1945...
, the President of the Philippines
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
during the Japanese occupation
Japanese occupation of the Philippines
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines was the period in the history of the Philippines between 1942 and 1945, when the Empire of Japan occupied the previously American-controlled Philippines during World War II....
, while his brothers would eventually serve the country as Vice President (Salvador "Doy" Laurel
Salvador Laurel
Salvador Roman Hidalgo Laurel , also known as Doy Laurel, was Vice President of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992 under Corazon Aquino. Before that, he briefly served as Aquino's first Prime Minister from February 25 to March 25 of 1986...
), House Speaker (José B. Laurel, Jr.
Jose Laurel, Jr.
José Bayani "Pepito" Laurel, Jr. , also known as José B. Laurel, Jr., was a Filipino politician who was elected twice as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines...
), senator (Sotero Laurel II
Sotero Laurel
Sotero Cosme "Teroy" Laurel II was a Filipino politician and educator who served as a Senator from 1986 until 1992, including a period as President pro tempore from 1990 until 1991. Laurel was the son of the former President of the Philippines José P. Laurel and the older brother of former Vice...
), ambassador (José S. Laurel III), and congressmen.
Career
Laurel was a pioneer in the development of Philippine motorsportMotorsport
Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition...
. He was among the first champion racers in the early years of organized auto racing in the Philippines, driving his 1954 Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
on the oval of the Santa Ana Hippodrome
Hippodrome
A hippodrome was a Greek stadium for horse racing and chariot racing. The name is derived from the Greek words "hippos and "dromos"...
in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
(when the horses were not running). He also excelled in karting and drag racing
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
, and was a licensed helicopter pilot. In the mid 1960s, he was also known to TV viewers as the first host of Motoring News, which became the longest-running Filipino TV program about the motoring industry.
His success in the Asian racing scene in the 60s earned him an invitation to race with a European team which he politely declined.
Death
He died during the Macau Grand Prix on November 19, 1967, at the age of 35. Eyewitness accounts revealed that Laurel, after his LotusLotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
41 skidded out of control, tried to avoid hitting some spectators by driving the car into the sea wall. The crash caused his car to burst into flames, leaving him trapped inside. He was the first casualty of the Macau Grand Prix.