MANILA, Philippines - Castrol-Yokohama champion driver Carlos Anton led a small group of Baguio racers to victory in the recently concluded Hillclimb South Series held in the mountains of San Mateo, Rizal.
Anton blasted thru the 2.13-km stage with his Mark Young prepared Honda CRX using Yokohama A050 tires clocking 1:37.13 to win over current Philippine Autocross champion Danby Yaptsingsay who clocked 1:42.22. This is Anton’s 23rd victory from 24 starts in Hillclimb racing.
Anton’s Special Stage-Hornitex teammate Alfie Concepcion (1:43.17) dominated the Group 4 event over a host of seasoned circuit racers led by Kevin Carlos (1:51.96). Baguio Boys Borek Fallorin (1:45.16), Rocky Fianza (1:54.89) and BJ Frondoso (2:11.25) won Group 3, Group 2 and Group S, respectively, almost making it a sweep for Baguio in all classes.
Ivan Isada, a rally champion and son of legendary racer Vip Isada, broke Baguio’s dominance with a time of 2:06.27, beating Imay Datu’s valiant effort of 2:07.18 in the Group 1 class. Datu actually led the first run up the mountain but Isada came back in the second heat and used his experience to overcome Datu.
Veteran Hillclimb racer Philip “The Jedi” Albar gave chase to Rocky Fianza all day but could only manage a second place finish this time in Group 2.
“It was a really great day for the Baguio Racers, we all performed well and it made the trip worth while. The racers from the south were very impressive considering that this is the first Hillclimb race for most of them. I’m sure they will be back with a vengeance in the second round of the South Series,” Anton said after the race.
The next round of the Hillclimb Championship is the North Series to be held April 1 in La Union while the second round of the South Series will be held April 22 in Rizal. The final two rounds will be held in Mount Samat, Bataan on May 4 for a day and night race finale.