Regional Underbone GP revs off Sunday

CEBU, Philippines -  Motorsport enthusiasts brace for an action-packed weekend as Racing Line's Regional Underbone Grand Prix revs off its 2011 Visayas race season tomorrow at Kartzone.

Billed as "The Battle Begins", the slambang spectacle is a multi-brand underbone circuit racing featuring Honda Motorworld Race Team, X-Racing, Team Mac, Cyrus Racing and Bradz Racing among others.

"It's going to be one exciting race since it's been a long time that we have a multi-brand race here in Cebu," said race chairman and RUGP founder Jong Uy in a news conference yesterday at Abuhan 2 restaurant.

"We would like to thank all those who supported us in this race, especially Castrol Philippines and Yahama Motors Philippines. We also would like to thank all the teams and racers for their continued support in this series," Uy added.

Among the categories to be contested are the 4at/Scooter, novice open, 130 first timers, 100-125 super stock, mix beginners 120-125, mix novice, beginners 130 open, novice 130 open, and novice open 4-stroke.

Registration promptly starts at 7:30 am.

The RUGP extravaganza is chiefly backed up by Castrol Power One, the country's number one motorcycle oil, in partnership with Yamaha Motors Philippines, Pioneer Mighty Gasket, MTRT, Norkis Yamaha and Katzone Cebu with Inside Racing Magazine, Motorcycle Magazine, Wild FM and RCTV 36 as media partners.

Autocross

Event organizer Neil Labrador said another Racing Line show to watch out for is the three-leg Regional Autocross Championships that will commence on June 11 to 12 at the Gaisano Bowlingplex carpark in Brgy. Banilad, this city.

The succeeding legs are scheduled on August 20-21 and November 19-21 with no confirmed venue although Parkmall and SM City-Cebu parking lots are being considered.

Labrador said there will be a special category for Hyundai cars since Hyundai Cebu is among the major sponsors of RAC's inaugural offering of the year. No entry fee will be charged to participants who will drive cars bought from Hyundai Cebu.

Among the teams that have already signified their intent to join the race are Toyota Auto Club of Cebu, Auto Care Racing, Team DGL of speed demon and many time national champion David G. Lim, Jr., Team No Care Racing, Kartzone, Techstar and Dubcity.

Labrador said RAC's opening leg will formally be launched on June 4 at Teatro Casino of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Brgy. Lahug, this city. (FREEMAN)