Dela Merced joins Cannonball 2016

MANILA, Philippines - Women power is represented in the Cannonball 2016 as celebrity Gaby dela Merced has joined the growing list of participants in  the country’s biggest motorsports event slated at the Oxford Hotel and Casino in Clark, Pampanga on Jan. 8.

A former Pinoy Big Brother housemate, circuit-racer, magazine cover girl and businesswoman, the pretty Dela Merced takes on the challenge of the 1,200-kilometer Northern Luzon route, which the participants must cover in less than 24 hours.

Dela Merced will be joining the elite list of participants that include actor Albert Martinez, Sen. JV Ejercito and acting Makati Mayor Romulo Peña, among others.

For registration updates and other details, log on to websitewww.cannonballph.com or contact 09196100588 and 09053533100.

Open to all cars and motorcycles 30lcc and above, Cannonball 2016 is organized by six-time endurance champion Joey Almeda and backed by Joey Guillermo of Flying V; Chua Peng Chai, representing Brunei Riders; Fil Oil; Petron; BMW; KTM; Aprilia; Moto Guzzi; TVS; Peugeot; Jeep; Mahindra and Ropali.

The two-wheel category will have the premier Cannonball 1,000 division, which will join the cars in a 24-hour endurance run. Underbones and scooters pegged at 300cc below will have a class of their own, the Cannonball 500, which will be tracing a similar but more compact route of 500kms under a 12-hour time limit.

High-end cars such as Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, Aston Martin, BMW and Porsche, together with Mazda, Chrysler, Morgan, Peugeot, Mahindra and motorcycles KTM, BMW, Ducati, MV Agusta Husqvarna, Honda, Suzuki, Vespa and TVS, highlighted the 2015 staging of the event, which expects more super and exotic cars in its next edition.

“We expect a bigger Cannonball 2016 this time around,” said Almeda. “I’m sure motorsports enthusiasts won’t pass up this chance.”