Tiu revs up for solo lead in Magnolia drag racing

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing eyes a crucial win in his bid to wrest solo leadership in the fourth leg of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater National Drag Racing Championship Series Saturday at the Batangas Racing Circuit drag strip.

Gunning for an unprecedented seventh straight crown, Tiu scored another superb performance bagging both Pro class and the Quick 8 division last month in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines and supported by San Miguel Corp., Yokohama Tires, Pagcor Sports, Aeromed, Chequered Flag and Stoplight TV.

But that was not enough to grab the top spot from teammate Anthony Go. Despite his runner-up finish, Go still holds the front seat in the title race with 35 points, five points in front of Tiu in the premier Pro class.

Tiu also aims to keep his lead in the Quick 8 division where he amassed 40 points. He’s confident of scoring his third triumph in the series on his favorite turf, BRC Drag Strip, site of his past six titles and his unbeaten BRC track record time of 9.903 seconds.

Out to stop him are equally strong rivals Vanni Garcia, Mark Molina and RP’s fastest lady driver When When Dagondon of Vannitec, Ilocano racing brothers Christian and Ed Christopher Go of JCT-Blanche Racing, and Mato Tan of Matonetics.

Jonathan Young, another JCT-Blanche Racing driver, is seeking his fourth straight triumph to fortify his lead in the Expert class against Morris Miranda of Mohspeed, Marlon Villarin of Plus Speed, Gary Dumbrique of Amsturboy, and Ronald Nierras and TJ Pangilinan of Cabspeed.

Also eyeing their second straight wins are Sherwin Esguerra of SE Racing against Christian Medina of Autokarera and Alvin Gavino of H3 Motorsports; and Julius Sambayan of Group N-Matonetics in the Hotstreet class up against Carlo John Lirio of Montavita.