Exalta nears mark, heads for home

CATARMAN, Samar–The Nissan Exalta GS Superio sported 28,402 kilometers on its Caltex Havoline odometer when it was brought here by a four-man crew spearheaded by Juvy Catajoy Wednesday night in the crucial stages of the fourth Pan Philippine Marathon.

Before Catajoy turns over the keys of the eye-catching Exalta to a group led by Willie Ingles at the Nissan-Mantrade in Magallanes, he could not help but express his heartfelt thanks to those who made it possible that the 30-day event runs smoothly.

"Without the assistance provided by Goodyear’s Servitek and Ventura radials, Caltex Havoline oil and Vortex fuel and service stations nationwide, we would have probably suffered several delays," said Catajoy.

Accompanied by Lester Susi, Jun Ramirez and Willy Avila, Catajoy also noted the helping hand of Asian Navigation and Tracking System and Joey’s 92.3 FM.

Of course, the support thrown by Nissan officials Vir Diwa and Tonette Lee and big bosses Arthur Wang and Jack Wu, should not to be taken lightly, added Catajoy, one of countless marathoners who have fallen in love with the sedan that has a high-performance QG 1.6-liter, 116-horsepower engine.

Catajoy arrived here at 11 p.m. and is expected to take a ferry crossing to Matnog, Sosogon, at 1 a.m. of Thursday en route to Nissan-Naga before pushing toward Manila.

"The Exalta is right on track," said Ingles in Manila. Ingles’s drive to Central Luzon and the Ilocos provinces is expected to pump up more mileage to the Exalta’s odometer.

At least 1,300 kilometers would be added to the Exalta when Andy Dysangco, Catajoy, Jun Ramirez and guest passenger Raymond Tribdino bring the sparkling silver sedan to Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).

A grand welcome has been laid out by Nissan officials for the drivers and navigators on Saturday at the Greenbelt parking lot in Makati.