Portugal firms up Yokohama racing lead

MANILA, Philippines - Dondon Portugal fended off his rivals with another great run as he ruled the fifth leg of the Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring Car Championship at Clark International Speedway in Clark, Pampanga recently.

Portugal finished second in the morning’s Sprint race and emerged champion in the abbreviated 15-lap GT Main Race as the Taysan, Batangas Mayor firmed up his grip of the solo lead in the event serving as part of the BRC Motorsports Championship season presented by Petronas.

Meanwhile, four cars were found beyond their respective horsepower categories after the Dyno Test conducted by chief scrutineer Fil Gulfin and were subsequently disqualified, creating a major shake-up in the final results.

Portugal clinched the GT300 plum as he quickly grabbed the front seat from the reversed-grid order of the GT Main Race and consistently controlled the tempo throughout to capture the checkered flag in 56.231 seconds, ahead of GT 200 driver Paolo Mantolino of Ethanworxs-R33 Racing.

Mantolino, a former jet ski rider, copped the GT200 crown, beating a host of veteran rivals, including defending PTCC champion and Ethanworxs-R33 Racing teammate Carlos Anton and 2010 PTCC champion Joey Pery, who placed second and third, respectively, in the event sponsored by Yokohama and sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).

Richmond de la Rosa scored another sweep of the GT150 title, foiling Walter Zamora in both the Sprint and the GT Main Races while Edwin Rodriguez topped the GT100 division over Raffy Latorre and Ivan Diaz.

Earlier, Velli-Matti Kaikkonen of Häfele-Tuason Racing edged Portugal in the Sprint race in the GT300 class while Anton finished third to emerge the GT200 champion, beating Joey Pery and Paolo Mantolino, who ended up fourth and fifth overall, respectively.

But Kaikkonen struggled in the GT Main Race while trying to balance himself on the car seat with three loose bolts while one hand hanging on at the grip holder and the other alternating at the wheel and the gear shift. But he failed to Dyno Test, nullifying his points.

Al-Jeffrey Lacambra topped the Sparco Bracket Circuit Racing over Don Andaya and MC Agapito while Dexter Daquigan emerged the Class A champion in the VW Kafer Cup, beating Daniel Castaneda and Raffy Locsin. Japs Javier won the Class B plum over Dino de Jesus and Francis Villafranca.

In the PhilMiniracers Championship Series, Rodney Caballero prevailed anew in the Open Pro class over Bernard Sy and Borgy Zoleta; Raniel Ortiz clinched the Expert title over Sebastian Donato and Jun Mallari; Aries Padiernos topped the Junior class; Rick Jason de Guzman won the Newbie 1275cc class again over Joey Luat while Benjo Bautista bagged the Newbie 1000cc crown.

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/ Batangas Racing Circuit or check out our website www.batangasracingcircuit.org.