Tiu, Go set drag racing duel

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Jonathan Tiu and Anthony Go gear up for a crucial showdown for the crown as the 2010 Magnolia Purewater National Drag Racing Championship Series stages its championship round today at the Clark International Speedway.

The event also serves as the opening round of the 2010 Northern Series Philippine Drag Racing Championships sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) and supported by Yokohama Tires, San Miguel Corp., Pagcor Sports, Aeromed, Chequered Flag and Stoplight TV.

Tiu and Go, teammates with the JCT-Blanche Racing Team, are tied for the lead going to the Clark race.

Tiu is gunning for an unprecedented seventh straight drag racing plum although he has not fully recovered from the shock of a bizarre crash in the last leg.

Go, on the other hand, is looking forward to winning a first career diadem.

Though he considers himself a dark horse, Go hopes luck would favor him in this crucial outing.

“He has a better car and a better engine than mine. That makes me an underdog if we meet in the finals. But I’ll just do my best and hopefully, luck will be on my side then,” said Tiu.

The two will also have to deal with the American V8 muscle cars of John Ryzia and Steve Caldwell, Vannitec’s Vanni Garcia and fastest lady driver When When Dagondon, and two talented Ilocos racing brothers Ed Christopher and Ed Christian Go.

Ed Christian Go, currently with 25 points, could also force a tie for the Quick 8 crown if he wins the final showdown and Tiu, who leads with 40 points, takes an early exit from the race.

The other title favorites are Jonathan Young in the Expert class, Sherwin Esguerra in the Sportsman division and Reymar Mariano in the Hot Street class.

For other details, log on to www.batangasracingcircuit.com or call up Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766.