Top speedsters resume rivalry in Clark Speedway

Some 150 speedsters vie for the titles at stake in the second leg of the 2008 Pagcor Drag Racing Championships-Northern Series today at the newly built Clark International Speedway (CIS) drag strip in Clark Ecozone, Pampanga.

Drag racing director Fil Gulfin said free practice starts at 7 a.m. The qualifying proper is set at 9 a.m.

At stake are titles in the premier Quick 8, Pro, Expert, Sportsman and Hotstreet classes of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Pagcor Sports, San Miguel Corporation, Pilipinas Shell, Yokohama, Motospray and the Clark Development Corporation.

The showdown is expected to intensify as top drivers try to stop retired US serviceman Ken Kepner and his classic 1969 Camaro from dominating the event anew.

Kepner emerged the pioneer champion of the newly built Clark International Speedway as he unleashed the decisive surge in the last 15 meters to turn back top favorite and ace Cebuano champion David Lim in 10.245 seconds.

Aside from Kepner’s Camaro and John Ryzia’s crowd-drawing “Slingshot”, at least five more muscle cars are expected to join the hunt for the plum.

Modern four-cylinder car drivers hoping to steal the limelight this time are defending champion Jonathan Tiu and promising young dragster Ed Christian Go, who established a new RP All-Motor record of 10.65 seconds.

Tiu is raring to bounce back after missing action in the last leg when his engine got busted just before the race proper.

Among others are Tiu’s teammates Pablo Sarmiento and Anthony GO, Vannitec’s Vanni Garcia, ace lady driver When When Dagondon, and Eduardo Pujol.

Also seeking victories in other divisions are Pepi Santos, Paul Henderson Perez of Alps Racing, Romeo Manuel of Pit 21 and Ronald Viloria.

Pepi Santos looks forward to a repeat in the Pro Class over H3 Motorsports’ Edwin Cayco while Perez hopes to rule the Expert division anew against Jonathan Young of JCT-Blanche Racing and Pat Hernandez.

Manuel guns for another big win in the Sportsman class against Chester Ngo of Kanzai and Eugene Santos of Team Ready while Viloria hopes to rule the Hot Street division anew over Fritz Olan of Group N and Noel Zapanta.

For further details, interested parties may log on at www.batangasracingcircuit.com or contact the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 815-1241.