Garcia stuns Tiu, clinches Quick 8 plum

MANILA, Philippines - Vanni Garcia of Vannitec surprised the field and captured the Quick 8 crown in the third and penultimate leg of the 2012 Philippine Drag Racing Championships Northern Series at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga recently.

Garcia clocked a fast time of 9.523 seconds in the Quick 8 final, nearly breaking the existing record of 9.223 seconds by Pepi Santos of H3 Autoworks. But it was enough to beat multi-titled champion Jonathan Tiu’s 9.887 seconds for the victory.

Garcia found the right set-up for his Mitsubishi to fashion out the win that marked his return to big-time drag racing.

Garcia actually chipped only 10.477 seconds in winning his semifinal match over Mark Galamay while Tiu clocked a consistent 9.819 seconds in ousting Edison Cayco of H3 Autoworks.

Pushing his car’s power to the limit, Garcia pulled away from Tiu at the start and eventually wrapped up the quarter mile race 0.3 of a second faster.

Galamay prevailed over Cayco, clocking 10.781 seconds to claim third place in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by GT Radial, HKS Motor Oil, M&H Race Master, Yokohama and powered by Racing Beat@Wave 89.1.

Tiu vented his ire in the M and H Super Pro class where he timed 11.581 seconds to turn back JCT-Blanche Racing teammate Walter Pazon and third placer Mark Galamay.

Teener Arvin Jay Millet bagged the M&H Pro crown over tough rivals John Kalaw of H3 Autoworks and third placer Billy Pangandamun.

His brother Jannery Millet copped the Yokohama Expert crown with a time of 13.912 seconds to prevail over runner-up Ben Pangandamun and third placer Lennel Diaz.

Other winners were Cocoy Alberto who beat Tiboy Dungca and third placer Marky Baquiran for the HKS Sportsman plum; and Riutard Gan who ruled over Dan Jude Yson and third placer Rodrich Dizon for the GT Radial Hotstreet champion trophy.

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