Ace drivers clash in dragfest's 2nd leg

MANILA, Philippines - Drag racing takes center stage this weekend with over 100 top drivers clashing for top honors in the second leg of the 2012 Philippine Drag Racing Championships Northern Series at the Clark International Speedway in Clark, Pampanga.

A wide open battle is seen in the Quick 8, the M&H Super Pro and the M&H Pro classes with points leader Jonathan Tiu expected to pass up his bid for a third straight victory following the demise of his long-time friend and teammate Anthony Go. 

Tipped to lead the title chase are the American V8 muscle cars of AHRA-Garage bets John Ryzia, Steve Caldwell and William Hand and the modern four-cylinder cars of defending champion Martin Manalo of RSL Motorsports and H3 Autoworks drivers led by Pepi Santos, Edwin Teofilo Cayco and Edison Cayco.

Drag racing director Fil Gulfin urges all drivers to come early for the drivers’ briefing at 8 a.m. where rules and regulations and other pertinent race matters will be discussed.

The event is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Yokohama, M&H Race Master, and powered by Racing Beat@Wave 89.1.

Drivers are also urged to observe utmost safety with the strict implementation of safety gears like helmets, race suits and the required roll cages in their cars especially for those competing in higher classes that runs 12 seconds or faster.

“We will be dedicating this race to Anthony Go in celebration of his contributions to the development of Philippine Drag Racing, and his advocacy for safety as he was a big factor in encouraging drag racers out of the streets and into the safer and controlled environment of the Batangas Racing Circuit and the Clark International Speedway,” said Gulfin.

Go succumbed to heart attack at age 38.

Arvin Jay Millet of TEM2 also seeks his third consecutive triumph in the Expert class.