120 dragsters start showdown at BRC

MANILA, Philippines - Another big field of over 120 dragsters is expected to show up and vie for the titles at stake in the kick off of the 2012 Philippine Drag Racing Championships Southern Series tomorrow at the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip in Rosario, Batangas.

After the drivers’ briefing at 8 a.m. participants will have more time to test and adjust their car set-ups in the qualifying runs of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Yokohama, M&H Race Master, HKS Motor Oil and powered by Racing Beat@Wave 89.1.

Revisions in the rules and regulations and other matters concerning the race like safety issues will also be discussed.

Organizers said they will enforce the use of safety gears like helmets, race suits and will require drivers to roll cages in their cars.

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

Six-time national champion Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing is eyeing his second straight triumph following his successful kickoff stint in Clark.

Spectators will be eager to see him shatter his old record of 9.903 seconds in his Mitsubishi Evo 5 at the BRC Drag Strip.

Among his other tough rivals in the Quick 8 division and the premier M&H Pro class are JCT-Blanche Racing teammate Anthony Go of, H3 Autoworks bets Pepi Santos and Edison Cayco, Norman de la Peña of QSP and 2011 Golden Wheel Awardee and Drag Racer of the Year Martin Manalo of RSL

Manalo, a local Batangueño racing hero, is raring to get into action after missing action at Clark due to medical reason.