5-year-old karter gets 1st trophy at 2022 Ehpaf series

Despite his young age, Maximino “Max” Trinidad's competitiveness is already high and his fervent prayer is to win his first gold trophy. His wish was granted recently.

The five-year-old karter had his initial taste of victory after finishing first in the Round 3 Race 5 Bambino category of the Ehpaf Karting Series (EKS) 2022 held at City Kart Porac Pampanga.

The EKS is a local National Karting Championship founded and organized by Ehpaf Racing Services organized and managed by Jean-Marc Freihuber.

According to his parents Ronnie and Christinni, the road for their son's victory was not easy, considering that the kid started go-karting in February only as a trial experience.

Prior to joining his maiden race in March, race engineer Pacho Blanco of Team Blanco Race Engineering (BRE) started training Max after seeing the child's potential in a skateboard video posted by Max’s father. “Coach Pacho saw that Max is strong-spirited and enjoys speed,” Ronnie shared.

Max trained under Blanco's watch and after a while, the young Trinidad immediately earned his mentor’s approval to join the race. Ronnie cited that those who wanted to join usually take months before joining competitions, but he is positive that his son’s determination made him equipped and more willing to learn about the competition.

His mother shared that Max was the second youngest kid to join the category for the year. “Some drivers have been racing for years already and some are starters as well,” she noted.

After the initial race, she said that Max was remembered by fellow karters and their parents as the one who was not following the formation grid, spins out, hits other racers and does not follow racing lines. At one time, he hit the barriers hard that medics had to check him to make sure he did not suffer any injuries.

While they know the risks involved in joining motorsports, Max’s parents are willing to provide him with an opportunity to try and to experience karting.

“Never in my wildest dreams have I thought my son would join karting. Seeing his size, I felt like he would be better in basketball. It's a blessing that we are able to do this,” Ronnie told Carmudi Philippines. “Sometimes you don’t get what you want, but God gives you something more special.”

Meanwhile, Ronnie said that for two months, Max’s fervent prayer was to be number one. “Winning a trophy in Race 5 was an answered prayer for him.”

Photos from Ronnie Trinidad

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