Anton dominates hill climb in Batangas

National champion Carlos Anton closed out the Castrol Magnatec Hill Climb Series with an unprecedented sweep on a two-kilometer course in Talisay, Batangas  last weekend.

Anton, in his Honda CRX, dominated the final two rounds ( 1:29.41 and 1:29.52, respectively) to claim his second national title in the event that also saw the first nighttime hill climb put up by the Hill Climb Club of the Philippines.

The series was sponsored by Castrol Magnatec and supported by Speedlab, Eibach Springs, Hotwire @ Studio 23, San Miguel by the Bay, Wave 89.1 and Laguna de Taal, a lakeside residential estate on a mountain ridge.

Putting up a gallant fight in the premier Group 4 were Jan de la Merced in a Subaru Impreza WRX, Danby Yaptinchay in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II and Anton’s yearlong rival Carlo Garcia in a Subaru WRX Sti.

Group 3 action saw Alfie Concepcion and Dennis Aoyong in Honda Civics swap the top two places in both rounds, while Dindo de Jesus in a Toyota Corolla and Tris Magbanua in a Mitsubishi Lancer picked up the spoils.

In Group 2, Lance Binamira and former rally co-driver Steve Acayan, both driving Toyota Corollas, engaged in a similar duel with the former taking round five and the latter  round six. Harvey Robles and Russell Rivera, both in Toyota Corollas, took turns in third place.

Peter Binamira in his Toyota Corolla topped round five of Group 1 despite completing only one heat, while Frankie Domingo in a Honda Jazz edged out BJ Abadilla in a Corolla for second place. In round six, Domingo drove away to first followed by Abadilla and Binamira.

After six rounds of fast-paced ascents all over Luzon, this year’s champions are Peter Binamira (Group 1 with 163 points); Lance Binamira (Group 2, 180); Dennis Aoyong (Group 3, 141.5); and Carlos Anton, who took Group 4 and overall honors.

For detailed results, visit www.hillclimbclub.com.