Perez takes over from dad as Yokohama GT series driver of year

CLARK, PAMPANGA , Philippines  – Paul Henderson Perez took over the reign of his father Felix when he emerged the Driver of the Year in the recently concluded 2009 Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring (GT) Championships at the Clark International Speedway here.

The younger Perez bucked the heavy rain and the stiff challenge of William Tan in the 20-lap main race to capture the overall plum of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Yokohama, Pagcor, San Miguel Corporation, San Mig Coffee and Aeromed.

He wrapped up his campaign with 184 points or 50 points ahead of overall runner-up John Asuncion. He also bagged the overall GT 125 title up against Nicolo Fernandez who wound up overall third place with 140.

Asuncion went home with the GT 200 crown by just 10 points against Tan (134).

“My dad won the crown last year and I’m very happy to have followed in his footsteps by winning the Driver of the Year this season with his all-out support and guidance,” said Paul Perez.

It was one unpredictable finale as Perez found himself struggling up against Tan who ruled the 15-lap morning sprint race in 17 minutes and 0.313 seconds or a far 16.260 seconds ahead of Perez who checked in second.

Fernandez checked in third while Asuncion and new entry Richard Bodestyne finished fourth and fifth.

But the determined Perez pulled one quick dive on Tan in the afternoon main race to wrest the lead for good and seal his title-clinching feat.

He clocked 25 minutes and 41.723 seconds in the 20-lap final race or 8.987 seconds of Tan. Asuncion checked in third while Fernandez and Bodestyne ended fourth and fifth.

Emayrson Manaog pulled a sweep of both the sprint and main races to capture the overall crown in the GT300 division.

 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.