Belgians rule Petron rally

SUBIC–Martin Quartier and navigator Nico Artois came away with another splendid show on the second and final day of the Petron Rally Pilipinas here at the vast Subic Remifield parking lot over the weekend en route to claiming the overall honors even as Vip Isada and co-driver Robbie Hermoso snatched the National Rally Championship trophy.

Driving trouble-free aboard their reliable Seat Ibiza, the Belgian guestracers blitzed the 41.40km second leg in one minute, 29.30 seconds even as compatriot Peter Desmet and co-driver Franky Beel emerged second best at 1:30.59 while the pair of Isada-Hermoso registered a fast 1:38.08 clocking for third overall.

Such fine display of brinkmanship behind the wheel of their Honda City under overcast skies allowed Isada and Hermoso to save local pride as they romped away with the centerpiece NRC 19 trophy using the same clocking over Felix Marinas-Charlie Cruz (1:38.23/Toyota Corolla) and Art Guevarra-Ivan Isada (1:39.05/Honda City.)

Quartier and Desmet also snatched with their respective times the Group A crown in that order while the Clubman trophy went to Ramon Santiago (1:46.35/Toyota Corolla) even as Danny Santiago and daughter Melissa grabbed the RP 12 plum (1:57.35 Honda City) and Carlo Gutang-Choy Mabunay claimed the RP 14 honors (1:39.05/Toyota Celica).