Ryzia fastest but Millet nails dragfest overall title

MANILA, Philippines - Former US Air Force personnel John Ryzia of Angeles Hot Rod Association (AHRA) bagged the pro title in the final leg but teener Arvin Jay Millet of TEMZ stole the spotlight by winning the overall crown in the 2012 Philippine Drag Racing Championships Northern Series at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga recently.

Ryzia, aboard his classic Camaro named Thunder, clocked a fast 11.072 seconds in his final showdown with Millet, who settled for second in 12.565 seconds. But the runner-up finish proved enough for Millet to make history as he became the youngest overall champion of a major drag racing tilt with 40 points.

He beat H3 Motorsports top bet Edison Cayco who ended up with 17 points.

Ryzia wound up third overall 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.

John Kalaw of H3 Motorsports bounced back from the losers’ circle but failed to make it to the final round with a breakout violation in his semis duel with Ryzia.

It was the second major victory for Millet this year after clinching the overall Expert title in the Drag Racing Championships Southern Series last month.

“I thank God for this rare honor and also my parents who supported me all the way,” said Millet.

It was a double celebration for the Millet family as cousin Jannery nailed his second straight win against runner-up Dexter Lim and Ace San Agustin to clinch the overall Expert crown.

He finished with a total of 32 points, beating Jaybee Alinea (16 pts.) while Dietro Carlo Evangelista and Arvin Jay Millet shared third place with 15 points apiece.

Upsets and surprises marked the final day of the event with unheralded Ranie Elvira humbling top favorites multi-titled champ Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing and William Hand of AHRA to seal a final duel with Tiu’s teammate Walter Pazon in the Quick 8 division.

However, Pazon stopped his giant-killing spree as he clocked 11.353 seconds to beat Elvira’s 12.188 seconds for the crown.

New lady driver Disette de Jesus also topped the GT Radial Hotstreet over Eric Victoria and Odick Nieto even as another lady driver Jeannette Go went on to capture the overall plum.

Marky Baquiran likewise took the overall HKS Sportsman title even as Archie Hilomen claimed the day’s honor against runner-up Jude Carrido and Teddy de la Costa.

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