Tiu clinches overall title in national drag racing

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing sealed the title with a bang, clinching his third consecutive triumph to claim the overall crown in the Southern Series-2011 National Drag Racing Championship at the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip in Rosario, Batangas.

It was the ninth straight career crown for Tiu who claimed the plum with a total of 45 points in this event supported by Pagcor Sports, Yokohama Philippines, Chequered Flag, Racing Beat@Wave 89.1 FM, Aeromed, and sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines.

John Dumaraos emerged the overall runner-up in the Southern Series with 25 points while JCT-Blanche Racing teammate Anthony Go is third with 15.

It wasn’t a record-breaking feat but Tiu went all out clocking 10.788 seconds in winning the Quick 8 crown in the final duel against Michael San Andres of MSA-Gabo who submitted 12.435 seconds.

Martin Manalo of RSL Motorsports took third place with 12.916 seconds.

The victory likewise put Tiu way ahead in the hunt of the National Drag Racing crown as he now holds a total of 50 points against Go who’s in far second with 15.

San Andres vented his ire in the Pro class where he upstaged both Manalo and Tiu. He chipped in a time of 11.955 seconds in the final showdown against Manalo who was two seconds off at 13.428 seconds. Tiu, after giving his all in the Quick 8, slowed down a bit and ended third with a time of 11.466.

But overall, it was Manalo who bagged the overall Pro class crown as he tallied 30 points, winning by just five points over San Andres.