Floirendo ruins Tan's sweep in GT racing

Manila, Philippines - Comebacking Vincent Floirendo spoiled defending champion William Tan’s bid for a sweep as he unveiled his real form to rule the main race recently in the kickoff of the 2011 Yokohama Philippine GT Championship Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

Floirendo, a Davao native who’s a veteran of karting, circuit and Formula 3 competitions, quickly grabbed the pole at the start of the 17-lap final race and built an unmolested lead for the big win in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and sponsored by official tires Yokohama Philippines, Enersel Forte, MSCC, official pace car Honda Cars-Kalookan, Rota Wheels, Pagcor Sports and Racing [email protected].

He was running at a top speed of 1:50.257 or three seconds faster than the reigning titlist and reached the finish line in 31:32.618 or a far 1:12.631 to capture the GT Overall and the GT300 crowns.

Tan, who earlier ruled the 10-lap Sprint Race over Ford-TRS bet Alvin Ng and Dean Joson, copped the runner-up honors with Ramil Madriaga claiming third places both the GT overall and the GT300 divisions.

Ford-TRS driver Sean Redpath clinched the GT130 title over Dean Joson and Ford-TRS teammate Alvin Ng while Leo San Juan went home with the GT200 crown.

Young Ready2Race prodigies Juha Turalba and Roby Benito split victories in the equally exciting 2011 Rota Wheels-Enersel Forte Philippine Vitz Cup.

Turalba drew the first blood, clocking 11:11.202 to rule Race 1 with a three-second margin over Benito and Expert champ Glenn Aguilar.

He was gunning for a sweep but figured in a costly collision that slowed him down as Benito took over his post to win Race 2 over Arvin Drueco and George Apacible.

Oscar Aguilar and Sel-J Sports CEO Jay Lacnit likewise split honors in the Vitz Cup Executive class.

The 2011 Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC) Vintage Sports Car Racing saw William Tan and Bobby Unson winning separate races.

Unson prevailed in Race 1 by a wide margin over Tan. 

Lito Ignacio took third place while Bubi Camus and Danny Samaniego checked in fourth and fifth.

Tan upstaged Unson in Race 2, with Ignacio, Camus and Peter Lang completing the podium winners.

The next race is set May 14-15 at the Clark International Speedway. For further details, interested parties may log on to www.brc-clarkspeedway.com and www.batangasracingcircuit.com or contact the BRC secretariat c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766.