American V8 muscle cars rule drag race

MANILA, Philippines - The American V8 muscle cars dominated the second leg of the 2015 Philippine Drag Racing Championship Northern Series with former US servicemen William “Bill” Hand and John Ryzia steering the Angeles City Hot Rod Association (AHRA)-Garage Power to a 1-2 finish at the Clark International Speedway in Clark, Pampanga recently.

Hand captured the Quick 8 crown while Ryzia played a crucial role behind the V8 muscle cars’ supremacy over the modern six-cylinders in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by CIMS, M&H, Sparco, Aguila Auto Glass and GT Radials.

The last time Hand and his car named “Blue Haze”, a fiberglass replica of the 1932 Ford Roadster, won was three years ago. He moved to the championship after beating Jonathan Young of JCT-Blanche Racing in their semis duel.

JCT-Blanche Racing top gun and defending champion Jonathan Tiu, meanwhile, suffered engine problems at the start of his semis duel with Ryzia, who sealed an all-American muscle cars final with his classic Camaro named Thunder.

But Hand’s Blue Haze pulled ahead in the last 400 meters to emerge champion with a 10.201-second clocking against Ryzia’s 11.143 before a big crowd stunned by the unique designs and loud roars of the American muscle cars.

Tiu, who later prevailed in the sudden death to claim third place, ruled the best-of-three showdown to cop the M&H Super Pro title with a fast time of 9.183 seconds against Hand who ended in a breakout.

Arvin Millet of TEMZ also shared the spotlight when he upstaged seasoned rivals to snare the premiere M&H Pro class plum.

The 21-year-old pride of Tarlac upended former national champ Martin Manalo and took a bye to make the finals against Ryzia.

Meanwhile, drag racers return to the Batangas Racing Circuit on March 7 for the second leg of the 2015 National Drag Racing Championship Southern Series.