Aryton Gono Atienza clinched the top spot in the fifth round of the 2025 ROK Asia Cup Philippines, held July 19 to 20 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga. At just 11 years old, he is steadily carving his place in Philippine motorsports with the guidance of his kin — veteran karting coach Carlos Gono and multi-talented racer Luis Gono.
Racing for the JVL/Autoplus Racing Team, Atienza competed in the MiniRok class, a rookie category for kids. The race lasted for 10 laps, each averaging around one minute to complete. He crossed the line at 10:29.553, with his fastest lap at 1:01.643. Augusto Mate of Resultado Racing PH secured second place, while Sebastian Lukas Galana of Team EVS finished third.
The victory, however, was hard-earned. The race took place at night under heavy rain, with low visibility and a slick track adding layers of difficulty for the young drivers. These conditions tested not just speed, but also control, patience, and composure.
Atienza began the race from fifth on the grid but quickly slipped to 11th. Refusing to be rattled, he kept his focus and clawed his way back, lap after lap. He clocked 1:05.059 on the opening lap, followed by 1:03.817 in the second, and 1:03.437 in the third — a steady pace that brought him back into contention. His momentum carried through the remaining laps until he took the checkered flag.
“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,” said Atienza.
This latest triumph adds to Atienza’s growing list of accolades in his budding career. With several more rounds left in the 2025 ROK Asia Cup Philippines, his performance has firmly placed him among the young talents to watch in the races ahead.
