Caltex with Techron powers car to record-breaking ascent; Dingdong Dantes new brand ambassador

Text and photo by Monsi A. Serrano

Caltex has brought newfound pride to patrons of its fuel with Techron, posting a record for the fastest 1,000-meter ascent up Doi Chang Mountain, Thailand’s highest peak, in under 7 minutes.

Caltex has worked with Guinness World Records and National Geographic to document the feat on a 28-year-old car powered by the oil giant’s superior fuel.

Last week, THEPHILBIZNEWS joined other media outlets when Caltex launched “Record Rides,” a two-part production on the journey to attempt and set the world speed record using Caltex fuel with Techron.

“As a leading visual storyteller, National Geographic’s programming pillars of exploration, education and science resonate well with the Caltex brand. Hence, we are proud to partner with the channel to create Record Rides for our viewers and motorists in Asia. This show will demonstrate how Caltex with Techron® fuels can power an engine towards achieving an extraordinary journey,” said Caltex Brand Manager Brian Fisher.

Record Rides, puts two well-known TV personalities – adrenaline junkie and radio DJ, KC Montero and professional race car driver Natasha Chang – on a mission to create the craziest, record-breaking driving experiences in Asia. Their challenge is to conquer the summit of Thailand’s tallest mountain, Doi Chang Mountain Road, using an everyday car powered by Caltex with Techron® fuels.

Along with bragging rights, at stake is the Guinness World Record. It is a record that breaks new grounds as there is no such existing record and no effort has been done before using an everyday car.

The two episodes of Record Rides on National Geographic, with Caltex as the sole presenting partner, is part of Caltex’s Fuel Power Challenge. A record timing of 6 minutes 52.692 seconds, the fastest ascent of Doi Chang Mountain Road by a car was set by Chang.

With the world record powered by Caltex with Techron®, the campaign encourages drivers to fuel up with the same fuel that set a world record and experience its power in their everyday drive.

Dingdong Dantes for Caltex

As the campaign rolls out from July to October here and in Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, a new Caltex brand ambassador was signed up for the Philippines.

Caltex delighted media at the Record Rides launch by announcing that actor and celebrity Dingdong Dantes is its new brand ambassador for his record-setting ways.

Dantes is a motorcycle enthusiast. A visit to his Instagram feed would show his love for the two-wheel ride. But more than his impressive collection of motorcycles, Dingdong’s various successes in life are so much more worth noting.

An exclusive talent of GMA 7, he touts the title GMA Primetime King and has under his belt numerous acting awards. He is also a TV host, a film producer and an entrepreneur – he co-owns a car dealership in Paranaque and manages his own film studio. He is also a sought-after, effective celebrity endorser and influencer. He is also the founding chairman of the Yes Pinoy Foundation, an advocacy that caters to three functions: youth, education and service. Dantes juggles all these together with being a husband and a loving father to two beautiful kids with Marian Rivera.

“All the things I’ve achieved in my life so far, I made them happen with hard work and passion. There may be a lot of challenges I have to face on the road to make my dreams happen but I keep going because I want to be the best version of myself,” shared Dingdong. “That’s why I’m happy to be chosen as Caltex’s newest brand ambassador. We share the same belief.”

“Dingdong Dantes is a great representation of our world-record breaking brand, embodying our brand’s main tagline and philosophy of “Enjoy the Journey”.  He fits Caltex’s personality – positive, friendly and adventurous that encourages people to enjoy the experience of whatever they’re doing and wherever they are going, ” said Louie Zhang, CPI Country Chairman. “His list of achievements is also clear proof of his determination to be at his personal best.  Just like Caltex. We embrace the difficult to achieve the extraordinary in our desire to provide the best premium quality fuels for motorists.”

The Techron edge

“Caltex with Techron® is specially formulated to clean and protect engines. The Guinness World Records® title achievement helps demonstrate how a clean engine powered by Techron® can function at its most optimum, which includes delivering maximum power to your wheels,” said Greg Engeler, Product Engineering Manager for Caltex.

Caltex is marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI).