Floirendo, Silverio share PCSO Grand Prix top honors

ROSARIO, BATANGAS – Team Fujitsu-Tom’s-Shell Racing posted a big sweep after lead drivers Vincent Floirendo and Jojo Silverio shared honors in Rounds 5 and 6 of the Philippine National Touring Car Championship yesterday in the 2002 PCSO Grand Prix at the Batangas Racing Circuit here.

Their victories snapped Caltex Havoline-Autoplus skipper Jody Coseteng’s winning streak in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines and sponsored by the Batangas Racing Circuit Association (BRCA) Board of Governors, Pilipinas Shell, Toyota Motors Phil., MOF Shipping, Norkis-Yamaha, Marlboro, Casino Filipino, Kilton Motors Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office through general manager Ver Angelo.

Floirendo scored the upset as he unveiled a decisive move in the final three laps to snatch the pole from Coseteng and post his first win after a year-long hiatus.

He stuck close to Coseteng after Silverio suffered a ceased engine on the third lap and came side-by-side with the defending champion at the backstretch of the 11th lap.

Floirendo grabbed pole at the turn but Coseteng managed to get it back at the straight. Then the two came side-by-side again at the next chicane. Coseteng had the nose edge but a quick gearshift pulled Floirendo past his Caltex-Autoplus rival and pulled away for the win.

Silverio, on the other hand, packed speed at the start of Race 6 and held the pole throughout the 15-lap race.