Clark leg kicks off national drag series

MANILA, Philippines –  Some 100 drivers are expected to compete when the 2011 National Drag Racing Championships opens tomorrow with the Northern Series at Clark International Speedway.

Though the highlight of the race is the Quick 8 division, focus will be on the Pro Class for cars 12.49 seconds and faster as it will be the basis for the coveted Drag Racing Driver of the Year award.

Equally exciting are the battles in the Expert class (for cars 12.50 seconds to 13.99), Sportsman Class (14 seconds to 15.99), Hot Street division (16 seconds and slower).

The series is supported by Yokohama Philippines, Chequered Flag, Racing Beat@Wave 89.1 FM and Aeromed and sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines.

Aside from the Clark International Speedway in Angeles City, participants also have to perform well in the Batangas Racing Circuit for the Southern Series as points garnered in both series count for the overall plum.

Defending champion Jonathan Tiu will seek another milestone as he seeks an unprecedented eighth national crown aboard his reliable 5.

Tiu holds the existing records in both tracks. His 9.223 seconds at the Clark International Speedway and 9.903 seconds at the BRC Drag Strip remain intact.

Among his strongest rivals for the title are JCT-Blanche Racing teammate, Anthony Go of and Pepi Santos of H3 Autoworks, Isabela racing brothers Ed Christian and Ed Christopher Go; Mato Tan of Group N; Vanni Garcia, lady driver When When Dagondon and Norman de la Pena of Vannitec.

Drag Racing Director Fil Gulfin urges participants to come early for the qualifying runs before the drivers briefing set at 8 a.m.

The other races in the Northern Series are set February 19, April 30 and June 4 while the races in the Southern Series in Batangas are slated February 5 with the other races set on March 19, April 9 and May 14.

The teams expected to vie for the titles at stake are JCT-Blanche Racing, Vannitec, H3 Autoworks, Just Racing, Montavita, Lowtoys, Batangas Racing Team, Pit 21, Cabspeed, Mohspeed, Team Ready, and Ahra-Garage Power. Alps Racing, SE Racing, Forcespeed, Prodigy, Bladespeed, Step, Mymitsuph, Signal, HRE, Gulfspeed and other privateers.

For further 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 844-7766.