Tiu fortifies solo lead in national drag racing

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing made a twin kill to firm up his hold of solo lead recently in the fifth leg of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater National Drag Racing Championship Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit drag strip.

He drove his Mitsubishi Evo 5 to victory in both the premier Pro Class and the Quick 8 division of this event sponsored by Magnolia Pure Water and supported by San Miguel Corp., Yokohama Tires, Pagcor Sports, Aeromed, Chequered Flag and Stoplight TV.

With the win, Tiu moves closer to his goal of clinching an unprecedented seventh straight crown in this series sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines.

He lost his first run against Vanni Garcia of Vannitec but he bounced back from the losers’ bracket to forge a final showdown against Garcia anew.

Tiu eventually ruled the Pro Class as Garcia’s car bogged down after committing a red light violation.

Anthony Go, who was hoping to regain the top spot, settled for third, clocking 12.483 seconds.

Tiu now holds 60 points in the Pro Class, widening his lead by 15 points over Go who remained in second place with 45 points.