Drag racing series fires off Saturday at Clark speedway

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s leading drivers and cars take center stage when the Philippine Drag Racing Championships fires off Saturday at the Clark International Speedway in Clark, Pampanga.

The upcoming race will serve as the kickoff of a four-leg northern series sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines.

Also on tap in the event, sponsored by Yokohama, M&H Race Master and powered by Racing Beat@Wave 89.1, is the four-leg southern series at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Batangas.

Separate champions will be declared in both the northern and southern series although the selection of the overall season champion or the Drag Racing Driver of the Year will be based on the combined points garnered in both series.

Keen competition is seen with the modern four-cyclinder vehicles pitted against the American muscle V8 cars with their respective drivers tipped to reinforce their car setup to boost their title chances.

The American muscle V8 cars still pose a big threat to Jonathan Tiu’s title drive behind Clark-based former US servicemen John Rizya, Steve Caldwell and William Hand who will be parading their classic Camaros and Chevrolets.

Participants will be competing for the titles in the Quick 8, M&H Super Pro, M&H Pro, Expert, Sportsman and Hotstreet classes.

“The implementation of new rules will certainly bring the competition to a higher level, and with the influx of new technology, we expect this season to be more exciting,” said drag racing director Fil Gulfin.  

The other races are set March 10, May 5 and June 30 for the north series while the races in the southern legs are slated on Feb. 18, March 31, April 21 and June 9.

Others tipped to contend for the crown are Anthony Go of JCT-Blanche Racing, Pepi Santos and Edison Cayco of H3 Autoworks, Martin Manalo of RSL Motorsports, and Norman de la Peña of QSP.

The other participating teams are HYZ, Speedmode, Montavita, Kapshop, TEMZ, Team Ready, Pit 21, Cabspeed, Mohspeed, Ahra-Garage Power, SE Racing,  Forcespeed, Prodigy, Step, Mymitsuph, Signal, HRE, Gulfspeed and other privateers.

For details, contact Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 729-72 41-42, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766, Mobile 0922 8858410