THE AUTOMOBILE Association Philippines (AAP) conferred on Paolo Mantolino the 2014 AAP Driver of the Year plum during the recent 20th AAP Awards Night at World Trade Center in Pasay City.
While the award is usually handed to the overall champion of the Philippine Touring Car Championship, the AAP cited the many firsts the 26-year-old Mantolino achieved last year.
Mantolino raced for the first time in the premiere Division 1 for 200hp cars and clinched the title and the overall PTCC plum.
Mantolino was likewise the first non-traditional champion to win the title in years and the first rookie in Division 1 to achieve the rare feat of capturing the overall crown.
“The AAP award is the most credible affirmation of my skills,” said Mantolino.