Floirendo sweeps GT series second leg

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion and Golden Wheel Driver of the Year Vincent Floirendo lived up to the hype, scoring a convincing sweep in the second leg of the 2012 Yokohama Philippine GT Championship Series at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga recently.

Floirendo banked on his strategy and determination and made full use of his excellent car set-up then pounced on his rivals’ miscues to top both the sprint and the final race over multi-titled rivals Jody Coseteng and comebacking Jojo Silverio.

In the sprint race, Coseteng controlled the tempo coast-to-coast but fell to fourth after incurring a 30-second penalty for a jumpstart violation.

Floirendo won the race outright as he wrapped up the nine-lap race in 19 minutes, 6.377 seconds to capture the GT300 title.

Rookie driver Stefano Marcelo of Marcelo Racing topped the time trials with 2:07.007 and posted the fastest laptime of 2:07.352 in the sprint race to claim the GT300 runner-up honors, 4.315 seconds behind.

Silverio turned in an impressive third place finish in his comeback race while Bobby Unson wound up fifth.

In the GT Main race, Silverio dominated the first two laps but was also slapped a 30-second penalty for a jumpstart.

Floirendo took over the top spot again and pulled away with focus shifting to the battle for third between Coseteng and Marcelo. For four times, Marcelo tried to pass Coseteng but failed.

On the ninth lap, Marcelo finally wrested third place from Coseteng only to reel back with rear differentials.

At the end of the 15-lap race, Floreindo completed his sweep with a 22.595-second margin over Coseteng while Silverio settled for third.

Other winners in the event, sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Official Tires Yokohama, Official Oil Torco Racing Oil and Racing Beat@Wave 89.1, were Dwight Kevin Carlos who copped the GT200 crown over his father Arnel Carlos; Taysan, Batangas Mayor Dondon Portugal who swept the GT130 class over Ross Jackes of Castrol-TRS; and Allen Macaraig who also made it double in the GT100 over Korean Micky Kim of Castrol-TRS.

Rodney Caballero won the Class A crown in the PHILMINIRACERS Classic Mini Racing 2012, beating Marvin Enriquez and Jun Mallari. Carlos Castaneda copped the Class B title over Sebastian Donato and Gilbert Maningas while John Michael Ferreras topped the Newbie class over Rina Pilao and Borgy Zoleta.

In the VW Kafer Cup, Japs Javier clinched the Class A crown over Daniel Castaneda and Banjo Bautista while Armand Hipolito won the Class B title over Raymond Bayer and Joseph Rocero.

For details, contact the 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 or like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Batangas Racing Circuit.