Shell Outlaw Drag Racing Event, a tire-smoking success
MANILA, Philippines — Motorsports has officially returned to OMNI Aviation Airfield at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. Shell V-Power, in partnership with the dynamic racing group of WM DANBROS MOTORSPORTS together with OMNI Aviation Corporation , recently held controlled drag races at the aviation school’s airstrip in what was a full day of gasoline fueled fun.
Dubbed as Shell V-Power Omni Aviation Outlaw Drag Racing, the event featured head-to-head outlaw style 1/8-mile drag racing of various categories. In attendance were the members of the renowned drag racing club, the Angeles Hot Rod Association (AHRA). The club’s members brought with them their families, friends, and their all-American classic muscle cars. Not to be outdone were Filipino racers with their tuned Hondas and Mitsubishis challenging each other and a few of the AHRA members as well. There were also 4x4 off-road truck battles. It was a gigantic drag racing picnic on the airfield, more than a thousand racing fans with families and friends who came out to have fun and experience the excitement of motorsports under the supervision of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).
As the day began, the 4x4 off-road battles kicked off the festivities in the morning on a rally type off-road fast track layout while flight operations of the aviation school were on going. By noontime, the flight operations had ceased and the four-wheeled action was turned all the way up. As a noontime event highlight, pilot Bob Wagner, flying a beautifully restored 1949 Ryan Aeronautical Navion light aircraft, did an amazing high-speed, low-level fly-by at 18 feet above the tarmac.
The official start of the day’s activities was marked by a ceremonial flag-off by WM DANBROS MOTORSPORTS with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation‘s Marketing Implementer Retail Fuels, Brandon Briones, along with Omni Aviation Corporation’s Steven Virata, AAP representative and race director, Fil Gulfin, Fox International Channels representative Toto Matias, and AHRA’s lead man John Gillespie on the starting line of airstrip dragway. Racers made passes down the Omni Aviation airstrip throughout the day and well into the night which made for a fun adrenaline filled day of 1/8 mile racing.
At day’s end, more festivities happened during the night. After the dust and rubber had settled, the awarding ceremonies kicked off with a live performance from The Gabriel Dandan Band. After the live band entertainment, the winners of the different classes were announced. Troy Mueller of AHRA, racing a 1973 Chevy Camaro V8 LT/RS, took the top spot and crowned as the King of Outlaw Drag Racing of 2017. Harley Calubiran of Stock Speed, driving an upgraded 2000 Honda Civic VTi, was the Champion of Outlaw Bracket Drag Racing while Peter Roel Martinez, racing a modified 1993 Honda Civic EG Hatchback, was the Champion of Outlaw All Honda. Marc Delizo clocked the Fastest Mitsubishi in a turbocharged 2nd-Gen Lancer for the brand-specific categories.
On the 4x4 front, Adrian Clark G. Serrano was crowned Champion of 4x4 Off-road Truck Battle with Jerome Chris David and Jocel Paulo T. Galvez taking second and third place respectively. All three of them competed with Suzuki Vitaras.
With the racing done and awardings ongoing, a truckload of beer bartended by Boozeted Brads and lots of barbeque by Kap Stop Food Park and Dampa Express complimented the party that went on till midnight with live music mixing by DJ Noel.
Watch out for the premier showing of the two-part TV Special of the SHELL V-POWER OMNI AVIATION OUTLAW DRAG RACING, which will air on FOX SPORTS. Part one will be aired on September 17, Sunday, 4pm and Part two on September 24, Sunday, 4pm.
Special thanks to our media partners The Philippine STAR, Manila Bulletin, C! Magazine, Top Gear Philippines, 2Ner Magazine, RETRO DCG 105.9 FM and Crossover 105.1 FM.This event is brought to you by WM DANBROS MOTORSPORTS, CYWARE Simple Software Solutions, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Fox International Channels, Gold’s Gym, Clark Development Corporation, Clark Water, Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino, Marcars, Ambucore Paramedics and Good Team Printing Inc.
See you at the next SHELL V-POWER OMNI AVIATION OUTLAW DRAG RACING event in 2018.