Clark International Festival of Speed (CIFOS) 2025: Helping the Local Passion for Cars and Motorsports Grow

Now on its third year, the Clark International Festival of Speed, or CIFOS for short, is the brainchild of Johnny Tan, the prolific businessman behind Kilton Motor Corporation (KMC), Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC), Carmona Racing Circuit (CRC), and, of course, the Clark International Speedway (CIS), where the CIFOS is held annually. A competitive kart racer in his younger days and a lifelong motorsports enthusiast, Tan is considered as the “Godfather of Philippine Motorsports” for his numerous contributions in the proliferation, promotion and growth of auto and motorcycle racing here in the country, including the annual “Golden Wheel Award” coveted by the racing community.

Tan confided that he decided to organize the CIFOS three years ago as the Philippine version of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, an annual motorsports festival featuring modern and historic motor racing vehicles held at the sprawling Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, England, which attracts a crowd of more than 150,000 every year. The event was founded in 1993 by the then Lord March (now the Duke of Richmond), who wanted to bring back motor racing to the historic Goodwood Circuit but did not have the necessary permit to host races there, so the Festival of Speed was held at his own estate instead. Fortunately for the CIFOS, Johnny Tan has all the permits to race at CIS and the full support of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and its President & Chief Operating Officer (CEO), Atty. Agnes Devanadera.

CIFOS Day One (Friday, October 17)

The first day of the 3-day CIFOS started with an exciting kart race with the media participants at around the CIS Kart Track. After several timed laps around the circuit, Matt Mallari of STV Motoring Today clocked the best time. Our good friends from Motourismo and Monchter Chronicles did well, too, with Arabelle Jimenez posting the third best time while Monch Henares would have taken the second spot if only he went into the pits after being flagged to end his lap, which resulted in a DNF (Did Not Finish). He confessed that he didn’t see the flag because he wasn’t wearing his glasses but we think that he was just enjoying the speed a little bit too much.

Michaelson Lim, Johnny Tan’s cousin, took the reins of this year’s CIFOS and took great care and effort to ensure its success. Lim welcomed the media participants and invited them to CIS Trade Hall 1, where a sumptuous buffet lunch was served. Practice runs and the PHIMOS Cup-National Race Series competition were being held around the CIS Main Track until around 2:30 PM, which was when all the track activities were paused for the officially opening of the CIFOS with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Johnny Tan with KMC, BRC and CIS officials. Tan, Lim and the CIFOS participants walked around the CIS Exhibit Area to view and visit the various pavilions, displays and kiosks of sponsors, supporters and vendors. Later in the evening, an Open Car Meet was held around the pit lane and main track while a fun show was held at the pit lane.

CIFOS Day Two (Saturday, October 18)

Saturday morning found more than 200 vehicles converging at the Clark Parade Grounds in preparation for the CIFOS Tour d’ Elegance. The participants registered at the CIFOS booth and were given stickers for their vehicles. At around 9:00 AM, the participants were flagged off by CDC President & CEO Atty. Devanadera and drove from the Parade Grounds, around the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, passing through the various hotels and casinos in the area, and then into the CIS, where the participants took a celebratory parade lap around the circuit.

Angie King, driving his Ferrari 458 Spyder with a Philippine flag livery, led the convoy from the Parade Grounds to the CIS, where the number of vehicles swelled to around 300. There were a lot of interesting cars from modified modern cars, to old school cars from the ‘80s, sports cars, modified Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, Mitsubishis, and Mazdas, especially the Miata/MX-5 sports cars. After the parade lap, Toyota owners had their track day around the CIS followed by the Mazda Miata/MX-5 owners. Several races including club races and the Radical racing series were held during the day. The Legend of the Nineties car show inside the circuit capped Day 2.

CIFOS Day Three (Sunday, October 19)

Heavy rains brought about by the typhoon raging in Northern Luzon dampened the racing circuit but not the heart of the racers competing in the PHIMOS Cup-National Race Series. The wet races showcased the driving talents of the Filipino drivers and their resolve to win the National Race Series and perhaps, snag the highly coveted Golden Wheel Award Driver of the Year. However, as the rains got heavier and strong winds were beginning to cause havoc on the tents at the paddock display area, some participants began to pack up early. Others opted to leave early to avoid the anticipated floods after a heavy downpour (Curse you, conniving flood control contractors, and corrupt officials of the DPWH and Congress! – Ed.) as well as beat the expected heavy traffic of weekenders driving from the north back to Metro Manila. CIFOS 2025 ended on a wet but exciting note!

While the CIFOS is still at its infancy compared to the Goodwood Festival, which has been running for 32 years, this year’s event shows that the potential is there, especially considering that almost 300 cars joined the Tour de Elegance, there were several races held and there were thousands of people who travelled to CIS to witness and/or participate in the activities. It may be a far cry from the 150,000 capped audience at Goodwood watching classic cars and vintage race cars going around the grounds, including old Grand Prix and Formula One racers, but there the sense of optimism that CIFOS has planted a seed that will soon grow into a large and mighty tree. Rest assured that Power Wheels Magazine will cover CIFOS as it grows the Filipino’s passion for motorsports each and every year!