Millet survives challenge in drag race kickoff stage

MANILA, Philippines - Experience proved to be a big advantage for young defending Expert champion Arvin Millet of TEMZ as he survived the strong challenge from talented virtual unknowns recently in the kickoff of the 2014 Petronas Philippine Drag Racing Championship Northern Series at the Clark International Speedway.

The 20-year-old Millet, from Tarlac, displayed composure and control as he turned back a surprisingly strong newcomer Mike Daulog in the final showdown to capture the Expert crown of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petronas, M &H Tires and media partner Racing Beat at Wave 89.1.

The win put him a step ahead in his quest to keep the Overall Expert plum for the third straight year. He and Daulog were almost even during the first 100 meters until Millet stepped on the gas midway to pull ahead. He completed his quarter-mile run in 13.03 seconds or just a hairline 0.187 of a second ahead of Daulog (13.217 seconds).

Alvin Dungo copped second runner-up honors in 13.766 seconds.

Equally exciting was the comeback of the Thunder class where Henry Dizon scored a lopsided victory in 13.061 seconds in the final encounter against Genemar Santos, runner-up in 15.969 seconds.

Manchester Uy, who succumbed to a red light violation in the semifinal duel against Dizon, took third place.

Sharing the limelight were Jeff Licudine and Cer Olliris Alcala. CI Licudine clinched the Sportsman title with a time of 14.147. seconds, winning via a breakout over Mark Joshua Cruz with Rhayan Alivia settling for third.

Alcala, on the other hand, ruled the Hotstreet division in another breakout triumph over Ariel Batungbacal with Rafael Evangelista claiming third place honors.

Drag racing shifts action to Batangas for the kickoff of the Southern Series on February 1 at the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip.

For further details, interested parties may contact the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 729-72 41-42, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766, Mobile # 0922 8858410 or like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ Batangas Racing Circuit or check out our website www.batangasracingcircuit.org.