Tiu scores double, firms up title bid

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing struck twice to fortify his bid for an unprecedented seventh straight crown recently in the third leg of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater National Drag Racing Championship Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip.

Tiu displayed his mastery of the track that gave him four of his six titles when he ruled both the premiere Pro class and the Quick 8 division races in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and supported by San Miguel Corporation, Yokohama Tires, Pagcor Sports, Aeromed, Chequered Flag and Stoplight TV.

Rather than pursue plans of breaking his own existing track record of 9.903 seconds, Tiu decided to go for the big win as his Mitsubishi Evo 5 packed a fast time of 11.659 second for a back-to-back win in the Pro class in the best-of-three showdown against teammate Anthony Go who clocked 12.844 seconds.

Later, he beat Norman de la Peña of Team QSP in the quarterfinals and turned back Anthony Go anew in their semifinal battle to arrange an encounter with JM Dumaraos of Team Batangas for the Finals.

Dumaraos, on his part, prevailed over Bobby Cunanan of Team Just in the first round and won the semis over teammate Eddie de la Roca for a crack at the title.

But Tiu’s experience and consistent driving pulled through in the end, gaining wide distance over Dumaraos at the halfway mark to ensure his triumph.