Drag racers make final fling with glory

MANILA, Philippines - Some 100 drivers take their last ditch efforts in the final showdown for the titles at stake as the 2009 San Mig Coffee National Drag Racing Championship-National Trophy Series comes to a close tomorrowat the Clark International Speedway.

The championship leg of the 2009 San Mig Coffee National Drag Racing Championship-National Trophy Series will also signal the start of the Pagcor Sports Drag Racing Northern Series which will run until January next year.

With Jonathan Tiu assured of his historic sixth unprecedented drag racing plum, focus will shift on the intense showdown between Blanche Racing’s Ed Christian Go and H3 Motorsports’ Pepi Santos for the runner-up honors in the premiere Quick 8 division of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Pilipinas Shell, San Mig Coffee, Yokohama, Pagcor and Aeromed.

Go is second overall with 25 points but Santos is just five points behind with 20. In a four-way tie for fourth place are David Lim of DGL Motorsports, Ed Christopher Go of Blanche Racing, John Ryzia of Garage Power and Walter Pazon of JCT-Blanche Racing with But with the title at hand, Tiu may opt to pursue another milestone of breaking into the eight-second barrier as he tries to shatter his own existing Clark International Speedway all-time fastest quarter-mile record of 9.223 seconds.

Ed Christian Go is likewise assured the Pro Class crown up against his father, San Mariano Isabela Mayor Edgar Go and Why Why Dagondon of W. Autosport-Vannitec.

The younger Go holds a total of 40 points while Mayor Go and Dagondon are tied in second with 20. Just close behind in third are Anthony Go of JCT-Blanche Racing and John Kalaw of H3 Motorsports with 15 points each.

The Expert Class is even more exciting with five drivers still in contention for the title. Jonathan Young of JCT-Blanche Racing remains on top with 30 points but newcomer Junmar Tabalino is just five points behind.

Aiming to pull surprise wins are H3 Motorsports drivers Pepi Santos and John Kalaw, and Vanni Garcia of W. Autosport-Vannitec who are tied in third with 15.

While Jeanette Go of JCT-Blanche Racing already had the Hot Street crown in the bag, the Sportsman Class remains anybody’s game with 10 drivers still on course for the title.

Akim Cleofe of Alps Racing, Jon Sarmiento of Blanche Racing, Lennel Diaz of Mohspeed, Mods Modjen of The Source and Vic Mallare of Team Ready share the lead with 15 points while Alvin Lomboy of H3 Motorsports, Kon Lopez Dee of Montavita, Michael Henzon, Rex Lat of TMC and Ronald Galang are all in second place with 10 points apiece.

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.