Batangas GP fires off March 29

The Philippine National Touring Car Championship — the centerpiece event of the 2003 Casino Filipino Grand Prix — fires off March 29 at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

More than 15 of the country’s top competition drivers are expected to see action in the two-day event organized by the Batangas Racing Circuit Association and supported by Pilipinas Shell, Toyota, Kilton Motors, Norkis Yamaha, MOF Company and PAGCOR.

Also scheduled on the same race weekend are the Yokohama Miata Cup Series, Formula Toyota, Shell Super Bike Championships, Ducati Cup and 400cc/Open.

Spicing up the event is the bikini competition with 12 young and pretty girls vying for the title.

Among those who have confirmed their participation in the PNTCC are Ferdinand Ong of Speedwelle, Philip Alvendia of A3 Motorsports, Mike Potenciano and Carlos Anton of Gulf Oil-MP Turbo, Nilo Pazcoguin of Caltex, Mato Tan of Matonetics, Mike Anton and P.J. Religioso of Tuason Racing, Francis Godinez of Add Research Paint, Oscar Aguilar of Caltex, Erick Tanael of Intelco, Alex Padua of MP Turbo, Dennis Uy of Caltex, Dominic Bon of Agip-GNC and privateers Ben Chan, Charlie Cruz and Reggie Ramos.

In the Yokohama Miata Cup, Pocholo Ramirez and Romy David of Las Palmas-Bosch and Bubi and John Camus of Team Camus head the participants.

Defending champion Joel Retuya will also defend his title in the Formula Toyota against J.P. Carino, Jeremy Marquez, Batsy Agabao and Arvin Drueco.

Six-time champion Jolet Jao of Shell-Rolex Engineering and Nikki Romero of R-II Builders will stake their titles in the Shell Advance Super Bike Championships.

Jao, who bagged his sixth title in seven years of road racing last year, will be up against perennial rivals Toti Alberto, Rod Scott, Lindsay Ryan, Jeff Andres, Wackee del Rosario and Benjo Mendoza in the expert category.

Romero, who emerged as the "Rookie of the Year" last year, will be challenged anew by perennial contenders Julian Gotia and Jade Lazaro.

The official practice rounds and qualifying time trials are scheduled on March 29. The race proper will be held on March 30.

For details, call BRCA at tel. 817-2469 (Rey) or 817-2241 (Zaldy).