Portugal sweeps Yokohama GT

MANILA, Philippines - Taysan Batangas Mayor Dondon Portugal bucked the odds to humble a tough field and fashion out another sweep in the second leg of the Philippine Grand Touring Car Championships Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Batangas recently.

Portugal whisked off comebacking Velli-Matti Kaikkonen’s challenge in the early going then held on to rule both the Sprint and GT Main Race. He clocked 18 minutes, 9.125 seconds to beat Kaikkonen of Häfele-Tuason Racing by 7.457 seconds in the morning’s 10-lap Sprint race.

He sustained his form in the afternoon’s GT Main race, quickly pulling ahead then coming virtually unscathed from a minor collision with Kaikkonen and Backmarker Rhaffy Latorre to complete the sweep in the event serving as part of the BRC Motorsports Championship season presented by Petronas and sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines.

Veteran celebrity racer Jomari Yllana finished third in the Sprint race but bowed out early in the GT Main Race after only three laps.

The GT200 saw Ethanworxs-R33 teammates Paolo Mantolino and defending champion Carlos Anton split top honors. Anton got hit at the back by Yllana in the Sprint race, enabling Mantolino to wrest the lead and rule the morning race over Joey Pery.

Anton was hit again in the GT Main race but this time, he hung tough and beat Pery and Mantolino to capture the GT200 plum for second overall.

Dindo de Jesus, meanwhile, topped the Sprint race over first leg winner Joel Portugal and Allen Macaraig while Richmond de la Rosa ruled the Main Race over Bong Perez and Antonio Rock Moncupa in the GT150 division.

Other winners were Rodney Caballero, who clinched the Open Pro crown in the PhilMiniracers Championship Series; Jun Mallari defeated Anthony Jose in the Expert Class; Kenenth Angala topped the Junior category over Aries Padiernos; and Anthony Al Cruz took the Newbie division title over Michael Santi and Banjo Bautista.

Daniel Castaneda emerged Class A champion over Raffy Locsin and Dannie Daquigan in the VW KaFER Cup where Dino de Jesus captured the Class B crown over Armand Salada.

Joaquin dominated the Sparco Bracket Circuit Racing over Al Jeffrey Lacambra and Romeo Belen.

Meanwhile, the next leg is set Sept. 26. 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 or like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com or visit www.batangasracingcircuit.org.