Drag racers vie for titles in San Mig Coffee national series

MANILA, Philippines - Some 120 speedsters are expected to compete for the titles at stake as the 2009 San Mig Coffee National Drag Racing Championship-National Trophy Series makes its return to the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip for its second leg today.

Expect a more intense competition as equally strong contenders try to stop defending champion Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing from bagging his second win in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Pagcor, San Miguel Corporation, Pilipinas Shell, San Mig Coffee, Yokohama and Aeromed.

Tiu ruled the kickoff leg at the Clark International Speedway in another record-breaking fashion, setting a new all-time fastest quarter-mile record of 9.223 seconds.

But the BRC Drag Strip is said to be more challenging, offering less option for driver strategy unlike the wider Clark track.

That’s why Tiu’s standing record at the Batangas track remains at 9.903 seconds and will have to institute adjustments on his reliable Mitsubishi Evo 5 to surpass his Clark fastest time.

Among his toughest rivals in the premiere Quick 8 division are Vanni Garcia and Why Dagondon of W. Autosport-Vannitec, Ed Christian Go of Blanche Racing, Mato Tan of DGL Motorsports, and JCT-Blanche Racing teammate Jonathan Go.

“It’s a tough task, considering the challenging conditions of the BRC Drag Strip but setting a new record time is very much possible. We’ll see if the set-up modifications suit the track but our bigger goal here is to win,” said Tiu who’s eyeing a four-peat feat.

The event also marks the return of the big delegation of Team Batangas which will be battling drivers from H3 Motorsports, Team Ready, Just Racing, Good Guys, Alps Racing, Pit21, Lowtoys, GroupN and Matonetics for the other titles in the All-Motor Quick 8, Pro, Expert, Sportsman and Hotstreet classes.

Among the top favorites are Pepi Santos and Edwin Cayco of H3 Motorsports in the Pro division, Jonathan Young of JCT-Blanche Racing and Paul Henderson Perez of Alps Racing in the Expert class, Romeo Manuel and Nikko Allen Mendoza in the Sportsman division, and lady driver Jeannette Go who will be going up against Ronald Viloria and Cholo Dayrit in the Hotstreet class.

BRC Drag Racing Director Fil Gulfin encourages all participants to come early for the registration and the free practice as the qualifying runs start at 10 a.m.

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.