Tiu, Manalo prevail anew in drag racing

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Jonathan Tiu of  JCT-Blanche Racing and reigning Southern Series titlist Marc Manalo glittered anew as they dominated their respective classes recently in the second leg of the 2014 Petronas Philippine Drag Racing Championship Southern Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit drag strip.

Tiu captured his second straight title in the Quick 8 division and his fourth overall this season while Manalo ruled the Pro class.

Although Tiu was a cinch for the win, Allan Ararao of W-Autosport proved to be a worthy rival with his impressive climb against more experienced opponents that foiled the former’s plan for another JCT-Blanche Racing 1-2-3 sweep in the Quick 8 division.

Ararao pulled off a shocker over former champion Martin Manalo of RSL Motorsports in the first round and upset Rommel Dural of JCT-Blanche Racing in the next encounter to forge a finals duel with Tiu.

But Tiu’s Nissan R35 was too fast and powerful as it clocked 9.429 seconds on its final run against Ararao’s time of 12.801 seconds.

Dural, who turned back Marc Manalo in the first round, settled for third place.

Marc Manalo squared off with his brother Martin in the final showdown but made sure the Pro class crown will be his this time.

Martin Manalo took a rough journey as he thwarted Tiu in the first round, turned back Sheldon Chua in the next and prevailed over Jayson Ong to get into the finals against Marc who beat Dural in the first round and survived the faceoff with Tiu who got back into the mainstream battles after topping the losers circle.

The Manalo brothers were almost even in the first 400 meters but Marc pulled away from there to emerge the Pro class champion.

Martin copped the runner-up honors while Ong took third place.

Sharing the limelight was Genemar Santos who bagged the Thunder class title over runner-up Enzo Cortez and third placer Manchester Uy.

The event is sanctioned by Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petronas, M &H Tires and Racing Beat at Wave 89.1.