San Mig dragfest resumes at Clark; Tiu eyes 3rd win

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s top drivers rev up for another round of intense action as the 2009 San Mig Coffee National Drag Racing Championship-National Trophy Series shifts today to the Clark International Speedway at the Clark Eco-Zone in Pampanga.

Defending champion Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing guns for his third straight victory in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by San Miguel Corp., Pilipinas Shell, San Mig Coffee, Yokohama and Aeromed.

And with the track best suited to his reliable Mitsubishi Evo 5, Tiu hopes to make a more daring attempt to shatter his all-time fastest quarter-mile record of 9.223 seconds.

But winning won’t be easy as he faces a bunch of strong contenders including Vanni Garcia of W. Autosport-Vannitec, expats Ken Kepner and John Ryzia, and the Go Brothers – Ed Christian and Ed Christopher – in the premier Quick 8 division.

Garcia came close to breaking Tiu’s record time while Kepner and Ryzia will be parading their classic Chevy muscle cars.

The Go brothers, on the other hand, are stepping up as Tiu’s strongest title rivals after their impressive feats finishing second and third in the last leg.

Ed Christian Go also seeks his second straight triumph in the Pro class after beating Tiu and Ed Christopher in the last leg. But this time he will also face Why Why Dagondon of W. Autosport-Vannitec, Steve Caldwell and his V8 muscle car, Jojie Benedicto of Ponjap and H3 Motorsports bets Pepi Santos and Edwin Cayco, who have been consistently dominating the class at Clark.

Also favored in the other classes were Jonathan Young, Akim Cleofe and lady driver Jeanette Go.

Young, from JCT-Blanche Racing, aims to reign anew in the Expert class against Junmar Tabalino and Chris Palma while Cleofe hopes to prevail in the Sportsman division against Kon Lopez Dee and Jeffrey Escueta.

Jeanette Go is gunning for another big win in the Hotstreet division over her male rivals led by Boy Francisco and Vincent Datingaling

For further details, interested parties may log on at www.batangasracingcircuit.com or call up the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 815-1241.