Santos breaks Tiu's winning streak

CLARK, PAMPANGA, Philippines – Pepi Santos of H3 Autoworks snapped defending champion Jonathan Tiu’s three-race winning streak recently in the fourth leg of the 2009 San Mig Coffee National Drag Racing Championship-National Trophy Series at the Clark International Speedway here.

Santos went unopposed in the finals after former US serviceman John Ryzia called it quits due to engine problems, paving the way for his very first Quick 8 triumph in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Pilipinas Shell, San Mig Coffee, Yokohama and Aeromed.

He clocked 10.419 seconds in the solo final run as he moved up second overall with 20 points in a tie with Blanche Racing’s Ed Christian Go who eventually ended third in the race.

Santos picked up his second win of the day when he also captured the Expert class crown with 13.838 seconds over runner-up Mark Molina of Vannitec and third placer Pat Hernandez of H3 Autoworks.

However, Tiu remains in solo lead with 45 points after ruling the Quick 8 race earlier. Running in two races took its toll on Tiu’s new Mitsubishi Evo 5 as he failed to start in the Round of 4 following a snapped fan belt after beating JCT-Blanche Racing teammate Anthony Go in the quarterfinals.

Ed Christian Go, on the other hand, shared honors with John Kalaw of H3 Autoworks in the Pro class.

Kalaw, after his big win in the Expert class in the last leg, won the Pro class race over teammate Bong Hilario and third placer Alex Llanes of Pit 21.

But Go staged a big comeback in the fourth leg encounters clocking 10.708 seconds in the final showdown with runner-up Why Why Dagondon of W. Autosport-Vannitec who ended with 12.358 seconds.

Go’s father, San Mariano Isabela Mayor Edgar Go, bagged third place with 12.379 seconds.

Ed Christian Go’s victory installed him in solo Pro class lead with 30 points with Mayor Edgar Go and Dagondon sharing second place with identical 20 points.

Winning the races in other divisions were Vic Mallare of Team Ready-GR Canon Development Gtoup and newcomer Hubert Canarias of Bertspeed.

Mallare prevailed over Alex Lomboy of H3 Autoworks via a double breakout to clinch Sportsman title with Richmond Sunga of Genix claiming third place.

Canarias uncorked an amazing debut beating the top favorites, including current leader Jeanette Go of JCT-Blanche Racing in the Hotstreet division.

Canarias submitted a time of 16.329 seconds to win via a breakout over Cholo Dayrit of Forced Speed while Jeanette Go wound up third.

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