2nd leg of OZ Racing series slated tomorrow at Parkmall

CEBU, Philippines - A huge number of entries and a bigger race course are what the participants and spectators alike should expect when the second leg of the Yamaha Philippines, Inc.-sponsored OZ Racing Grand Prix Series 2009 hits off the road this Sunday at the Parkmall parking lot in north reclamation area. Showtime takes place from 8 am to 5pm.

“We made a slight modification in the racetrack. It’s bigger this time compared to the previous leg,” said OZ Racing president Zandro Fajardo in a news conference yesterday at Bo’s Coffee in Parkmall.

Before the race proper, OZ Racing marketing director Chad Mascariñas said the qualifying round as well as the registration will be done today.

Just like in the opening phase of the five-leg Underbone Motorcycle Racing, the categories to be contested are the beginners superstock 110, beginners superstock 125, automatic mix open, novice open, and expert open.

Fajardo said they will include in the second leg the Team Race due to popular demand by the riders.

As an added feature during the race day, Fajardo said they will be having a photo exhibit complete with profile of the different category champions during last year’s series.

“We are doing this to inspire the upcoming riders to strive hard and excel in their respective fields. By looking at the photos, it may motivate them to go for the championship in every race they join with hopes that in the future they will be the ones who will be featured in the photo gallery,” said Fajardo.

The keenly-awaited showdown between two of Cebu’s top daredevils in Lyndon Requilme of Team MAC and Gary Cañeda, Jr. of Cañeda Racing is foreseen to be the centerpiece of attraction.

Cañeda swept the expert open and novice titles during the inaugural leg, while Requilme topped the automatic mix and finished second to Cañeda in the novice class.

As an added treat for the crowd, some assorted freebies will be given away, Norkis development officer Scout C. Tumulak said.

For his part, Yamaha-Cebu branch head Carlo Monterola said they’re supporting the event because this is an opportunity for them to showcase the sporty side of Yamaha motorcycles.

“We’ve noticed that the Cebuanos are very enthusiastic about motorcycles and we found OZ Racing as a perfect partner in our desire to show off the sporty side of Yamaha,” said Monterola. – EBV (THE FREEMAN)