Yokohama GT kicks off today

MANILA, Philippines - Circuit racing returns as the country’s fastest drivers renew their title bids in the kickoff of the 2011 Yokohama Philippine GT Championship today at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

A simple opening ceremony is set at 12 noon Sunday with the presentation of drivers. Guest-of-honor Rep. Mark Mendoza officially declares the racing season open.

Defending champion William Tan seeks a back-to-back overall crown as he tackles the challenge of 25 other hopefuls in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and sponsored by official tire Yokohama Philippines, Enersel Forte, MSCC, Honda Cars-Kalookan official pace car, Rota Wheels and Racing [email protected].

 Tan sees intense rivalry with Mike Tuason of Ford-Tuason Racing after their tight duel for the crown last season.  Tuason led the race in the first three legs but was sidelined by a back injury in the final two rounds of the series last year, thus giving Tan the outright title.

Participating drivers will be vying for honors in the new class GT100 as well as in the GT125, GT200 and GT300 classes as they clash in the 10-lap sprint race and the 16-lap main event.

Joining the title hunt are Joey Perry, Dennis Uy and Dominic Uy of Seaoil-Velocity Motors, Leo San Juan, Emayrson Manaog, Paul Henderson Perez, Nicolo Fernandez, Mark Desales, Arnel Carlos, Juny Binamira, and  Ford-Tuason Racing bets Marcus Wong, Ding Dizon, Stuart MacDonald, Bobby Noriega, Bobby Horrigan, Veli Mati Kaikkonen and defending GT125 champ Sean Redpath.  

Also featured are the Rota Wheels-Enersel Forte Philippine Vitz Cup and Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC) vintage sports car racing.

The 2011 MSCC Vintage Sports Car Racing will feature classic cars like the Opel, Kharmann Ghia, Toyota Selica, Mini Cooper, Alfa Romeo, Ford Escort, Volkswagen, Lotus Replica, the 1967 Porsche 912 and the 1965 Porsche 911.

MSCC Races will be held today while the GT & Vitz Cup final heats will be held tomorrow.

The other races are tentatively set May 14-15 (Clark), June 18-19 (BRC), July 16-17 (Clark), September 17-18 (BRC) and the championship on October 15-16 (Clark).

For further details, interested parties may log on to www.brc-clarkspeedway.com and www.batangasracingcircuit.com or contact the BRC secretariat c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766.