MANILA, Philippines - Puerto Princesa is hosting the first-ever mixed rally race this weekend with a big field seeing action in the fifth Balayong Festival Offroad Challenge.
Last year’s champion and local bet Andrew Russell, 2006 MP Turbo’s Speedfest champion Joey Millionado, last year’s runner-up Paolo Sanchez, Cebu’s Resty Sambilad, RFC competitors Atoy Jamila and Dennis Javier, Marikina’s Tibor Andres and Cagayan de Oro’s Jong Balbon head the cast.
“This will be the hardest race schedule that we have done for the Balayong Festival Offroad Challenge,” said MP Turbo organizer Mike Potenciano, referring to the event, which features a series of 4x4 technical races and a “Dakar type” rally on Sunday.
“We will see the best off-roader when they tackle the natural, slick terrain of the Puerto Princesa 4x4 track for two days and then battle it out on rally stages the next. That’s a very tough challenge that will definitely show who’s the best out there,” said Potenciano.
Hosted by Puerto Princesa, headed by Mayor Edward Hagedorn, and supported by Oplan Linis head Ellen Hagedorn, city administrator Agustin Rocamora, city sports director Tony Reyes and the Kilos Agad Action Center, the event is sponsored by Toyota, Microtel Puerto Princesa, Emerald Playa Nature Park, Mossimo, Vans, Oakley, Kia, Auto Transporter, Strumm’s and 106.7 Dream FM. Media partners are Turbo Time radio show and Speed TV.
The race also features new drivers in the novice class, the Max 33 (maximum 33 inch tire height size) class sponsored by Goodyear, and the Mossimo’s Ladies Class headed by Jam Millionado.
The event boasts of the biggest 4x4 grid so far with 22 cars and 31 drivers with more than 60 entries expected to participate.
More than P250,000 cash prizes are up for grabs, including gifts from sponsors Rota Wheels, My Phone, Bioaktive, Ziebart, Seaoil, and Discovery Suites with cameras provided by JVC.
For details, follow the event in the Balayong Festival Offroad Challenge’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.