Top rally drivers brace for showdown

Rally drivers are preparing for the fourth and deciding rally of the season — the 2001 Petron Rallye Pilipinas, dubbed as the toughest and most gruelling race this year — set tomorrow and Sunday in Cavite.

The Petron Rallye Pilipinas is sponsored by Petron Corp. with Honda as official course car of the event. It is backed by Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club, Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park, Automobile Association of the Philippines, Infoworxs, Microtel, NS Ocana, Roadwise Motoring School and 103.5 K-Lite.

Organizer Activity Asia Association has prepared 25 all-tarmac special stages in two locations with a total rally distance of 210 kilometers. The rally course will traverse Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club and Saddle and Clubs Leisure — both located in Cavite.

The Eagle Ridge course, with seven special stages, is characterized by twisty curves, while the 18 stages in Saddle and Clubs will have fast stretches and hard turns.