TRS- Mazda BT50 Tandem wins 2010 Drifts Championships

MANILA, Philippines - It was initially a novelty for being the first in the world, a diesel powered double cab drift pick up. It started in 2009 when Tuason Racing School (TRS) ventured into the newest craze in motorsports, Drifting. TRS took the next step with Mazda Philippines using the BT-50 4x4 pick-up truck with a 3.0 Di Turbo Diesel Engine, supported by Castrol Edge, Goodyear Philippines, Standard Insurance, Coke Zero, K&N air filters, Oakley, Rota Wheels, Starbright body kits, Ultra Racing, OMP, Aguila, Dupont, Runstop motors, media partners C! Magazine and Businessworld.

TRS did some testing and consultations with some car tuners and decided to move forward with the project. With the help of Audel Sison of Autocraft (One of the top pro-drifters of the country), many days and lots of time on R&D had taken place, TRS lowered the pick up to as low as it could go then they put on 18” Rota Wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric Tires. For the engine modifications, Sidney Ang and Ferman Lao of Speedlab were the ones who took the lead and installed a Unichip, a bigger intercooler, piping’s, and Devil’s own alcohol injection which brought up the power to 170 Wheel Horsepower which is pretty good for a diesel truck. A 3-inch exhaust system and roll cage with the help of Fremuff Performance Exhausts. On the first year, it had performed to surprising feats by qualifying up into the top 4.

Come 2010, the competition got fiercer with more high-powered vehicles joining. With Mike Tuason and Bjorn Ongtiabok at the helm, the TRS team has dominated the 6 races making the pick up truck not just a novelty but more of a serious competitor. With the introduction of the Clark International Speedway as a new venue, the team thought the pick up would have a hard time getting to the speeds needed in a high speed drift venue, but it turned out to be a blessing. The pick up with its new modifications garnered an entry speed of 98 kph before going sideways.

Mike Tuason and Bjorn Ongtiabok finished 1st and 2nd overall in the National Pro-AM Drift series. The TRS drivers were consistent podium finishers this year taking 3 1st place finishes this year. “From the beginning, we knew this project was going to be technically challenging. In the span of 1.5 years we have taken a stock pick-up and made it a championship winning drift vehicle. Even I’m impressed,” said TRS president JP Tuason.