Team Suzuki-BMR riders dominate Visayas swing of 2012 RUGP Series

EBU, Philippines - For a team made from “scratch”, Team Suzuki-BMR gallantly rose to the limelight as it clinched the overall championship of the 2012 Castrol Power 1 Regional Underbone Grand Prix (RUGP) Series recently at the Sugbu grounds in South Road Properties.

After building a name for one company, Bobby Mencias was suddenly left behind. Yet, it did not dampen his spirits. Instead, he took it as a challenge to rise again.

“They turned their backs on me. I was left with nothing, but I vowed to myself to rise again. So I revived my team, BMR, and got a few potential riders to be with me. With Suzuki trusting me, we were able to give a good fight, leg after leg,” said Suzuki-BMR top honcho Bobby Mencias.

Aside from grabbing the coveted "Team of the Year" award, Suzuki-BMR also got an added reason to celebrate as Mario Borbon, Jr. lived up to his monicker as 'Super Mario' by coming out as the RUGP Visayas Rider of the Year.

Suzuki-BMR’s John Louis Chan also proved that Mencias was right in chosing him after emerging as the 'Rookie of the Year.'

In the finale of the four-leg series, Borbon came up with a double victory in the inter/expert automatic open and inter/expert open underbone categories.

Borbon's bid is supported by FDR Pilipinas, Spec V Racing of Charlie Ong, HJC Phils., NCX through Norbing Comendador, Lou Ornopia of MS Motosuit, Insik Flores of Insik Inside, Team Salbahe, Denso Spark Plugs and Dan Ramirez of Dan's Bike Shop.

Borbon 's teammates also stamped their respective classes.

Chan topped the beginners 100-125 superstock underbone and had a runner-finish in the beginners 130 automatic won by Angelo Mascardo of the Davao-based Suzuki Vman Racing, Joven Millana won the novice 130 open UB, while King Ganotise lorded it over in the inter/expert 130 open UB.

On the other hand, the novice 160 automatic title went to RM Gear’s April King Mascardo.— (FREEMAN)