Suzuki-BMR riders stamp classes in RUGP Series

CEBU, Philippines - The Suzuki-BMR Racing Team finally broke the jinx that beset them in this year's Regional Underbone Grand Prix (RUGP) Series after they collected two titles and several runner-up trophies during the Cebu leg recently at the Gaisano Bowlingplex grounds in Brgy. Banilad, this city.

What makes their triumph more memorable for team manager/coach Bobby Mencias was that his newest protege, Neil Perino of Lapu-Lapu City, came up with a double victory though the 4 AT beginners scooter 130 and beginners 100-125.

“ It's his first time to win this year in the RUGP with Team Suzuki BMR. He usually places only second or third. I spent a lot of time tuning his Suzuki Nex and Suzuki Smash because I know he has a big chance of winning here," said Mencias.

It was actually a come-from-behind victory for Perino in the beginners 100-125 as he only started out fifth on the grid. He worked his way to third until he overtook erstwhile frontliners Petron Bayawan's Enzo Teves and Rodel Flores enroute to a resounding victory. Teves settled for second place, while Flores of Insik Inside wound up third.

“The Suzuki fans as well as the crowd cheered. It was a thrilling race. We were not expecting Neil to dive for the lead, from third to first. It's really amazing,” shared Mencias.

In contrast, the beginners 130 automatic was an easier battle for Perino as he started on pole position for getting the fastest lap time in the qualifying stage. He never looked back from the start to claim the top spot over Teves.

Suzuki-BMR's top rider Mario Borbon ended his bid with a second and third place honors via the expert 130 and 4AT scooter expert open, respectively.

Borbon was the fastest in the expert automatic open at the end of the qualifying round to get the pole post, but was outsmarted by Davao's Vingie Coloma in the final lap as Insik Flores of Insik Inside took the second place honors.

Borbon also placed second to Suzuki-Vman Davao's Chris Karlou Sanoga in the expert 130 as the latter's teammate Roland Ganotise Suzuki Vman came out third.

John Louis Chan, on the other hand, also came up with a first runner-up trophy for Suzuki-BMR via the novice 130 won by Anver Antonio of Suzuki Phoenix Vman as another Davaeño rider Verl Coloma came out third.

Coloma, however, snatched the expert open title over Japanese Kimihiro Fujieda as April King Mascardo also of Suzuki Phoenix Vman settled for third.

Mascardo also bounced back by topping the 4AT intermediate expert and the inter-expert 130 categories.

Mascardo bagged the top spot of the 4 AT inter-expert division over Petronas-Mackyworkx's Rommel Paz and Fitzgerald Sangual. He bested his teammate Romeo Osigan in the inter-expert 130 class as Louie Vega of JLV/C-Let Racing Team Mandaue ended up third. (FREEMAN)