Coseteng tries to keep slim lead in Casino GP

The country’s best drivers try to beef up their bids for the coveted Driver of the Year award as the Philippine National Touring Car Series stages Rounds 9 and 10 this weekend Sept. 14-15, in the 2002 Casino Filipino Grand Prix at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas

Jody Coseteng of Caltex-Red Horse-Autoplus hopes to keep his precarious lead against three other equally tough rivals – Jojo Silverio and Vincent Floirendo of Fujitsu-Team Tom’s-Shell and Kookie Ramirez of SRA Petron – in this event sponsored by the Batangas Racing Circuit Association (BRCA) Board of Governors, Pilipinas Shell, Toyota Motors Phil., Casino Filipino, MOF Shipping, Norkis-Yamaha, Marlboro, and Kilton Motors Corporation.

Coseteng had been on a downslide these past four legs but still keeps solo leadership with 102 points in this series sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). A sweep in this penultimate leg would virtually seal the crown for Coseteng.

But the Fujitsu-Team Tom’s-Shell Racing tandem of Floirendo and Silverio poses a big threat to his title bid. The two split honors in Rounds 5 and 6, and are gunning for a big comeback following their disqualification in Round 8.

Floirendo is second overall with 72 points while Silverio trails closely in third with 61.

Ramirez, who’s in fourth with 50 points, hopes to continue his winning streak after sweeping the last leg at the Subic International Raceway.

Completing the cast are Caltex Havoline-Autoplus’ Nilo Pazcoguin and new circuit Dominic Bon, Mike Anton of QC Autosports-Pinoy Toppings, SRA-Petron’s Louie and Miguel Ramirez, Mike Aguilar of Castrol Racing-Velocity Motors, Ricardo Loi of GNC-L’Opera and TEC-Shell’s Tom Pastor.

Spicing up the day’s races are the Formula Toyota Cup, Production Class or the Philippine National Touring Car Junior Championships, and the Shell Advance Super Bikes sanctioned by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA).

For further details, interested parties can call up the Batangas Racing Circuit office at 817-2469 and project director Lot M. Tan at 817-2241.