Pinoy ace drivers clash for honors in drag festival

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s leading drivers test the Batangas Racing Circuit strip as they battle it out for top honors in the Philippine Drag Racing Championships Southern Series on Saturday in Rosario, Batangas.

Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing, seeking his 11th crown and seventh Drag Racing Driver of the Year award, goes for his second straight win after ruling the Clark series leg of the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines recently.

Tiu remains the country’s fastest driver with track records of 9.903 seconds at the BRC Drag Strip and 9.223 seconds at the Clark International Speedway on board his Mitsubishi Evo 5.

However, the Clark-based American V8 muscle car drivers, led by John Ryzia, Steve Caldwell and William Hand, remain doubtful starters in the event although the fancied local entries, led by 2011 Golden Wheel Awardee and Drag Racer of the Year Martin Manalo of RSL, will be out to defend their turf in the event sponsored by Yokohama, M&H Race Master, HKS and powered by Racing Beat@Wave 89.1.

Manalo failed to suit up in the kickoff leg at Clark but vowed to go all-out this weekend.

The other contenders are Anthony Go of JCT-Blanche Racing, Pepi Santos and Edison Cayco of H3 Autoworks, and Norman de la Peña of QSP.        

Competitions will be on the Quick 8, M&H Super Pro, M&H Pro Class, Expert, the HKS Sportsman division and Hotstreet class.

Arvin Millet of Millet Speed, another top bet from Batangas, is also going for back-to-back wins over Bong Hilario of H3 Autoworks and former Pro class champion Anthony Go of JCT-Blanche Racing.

Also in the fold are Dietro Carlo Evangelista in the Expert class, Marky Baquiran of Kapshop in the Sportsman class and lady driver Jeannette Go of JCT-Blanche Racing in the Hotstreet division.

 For details, contact the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 729-72 41-42, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766, 0922 8858410.