Top riders step up bid for PTCC crowns

MANILA, Philippines -  The competition gets more intense as rivalries spice up the hunt for the titles at stake this weekend in the third leg of the Philippine Touring Car Championship Series (PTCC) at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

Frontrunners Willian Tan of 2GO-Promithium Racing Team and Leo San Juan of TRS-Nissan Commonwealth will try to preserve their hold of solo leadership in their respective divisions.

However, Tan and San Juan may face tough  odds against rivals also seeking crucial wins to improve their title chances.

Despite a runner-up and a third place finish in the three races last month, Tan continues to keep the top spot in Division 1 (for 200hp cars) with 87 points as he hopes for a repeat of his three-race sweep in the kickoff leg to fortify his chances for the crown.

However, the last leg saw the rise of Uly Maningding of Explorer Motorsports and defending champion Joey Pery among his tough rivals. 

Maninding ruled Race 4 and 5 that pivoted him to second place overall with 66 points. This makes him Tan’s strongest title rival while Pery’s triumph in Race 6 boosted his chances for a back-to-back crown as he moved up to sixth overall with 48 points.

Young driver Dwight Kevin Carlos of DKC Racing is quietly making his way up with two runners-up and two third places that installed him third overall with 60 points.

Taysan Mayor Don Don Portugal is fourth overall with 58 while Arnel Carlos of DKC Racing is fifth with 51. 

Joining them in Division 1 are Enzo Pastor of Circuit Showdown, Joselu Romero-Salas, Dennis Uy of Seaoil-Velocity Racing and Ramil Madriaga of IRM Racing.

San Juan, on the other hand, now enjoys a big lead in Division 2 (for 150hp cars) with 99 points but three other drivers – Douglas Maningding of Explorer Motorsports, Jeff Borja of Seaoil-Darkside Racing Team and Jon Mark Ong of Ethanworx Racing Team – remain his biggest title threats.

The younger Maningding, who engaged San Juan in a tight showdown in the last leg, is second overall with 82 points while Borja and Ong are close behind with 70 and 69,  respectively.

The event is organized by Automobile Association Philippines and promoted by Philippine Race Car Driver’s Inc. (PRCDI) and co-presented by Tiarra Commercial (Kumho Tires) in partnership with Seaoil Extreme 97, 2GO Travel, Speedlab, Forex, Promethium, Velocity Motors, Honda Cars Kaloocan and Aeromed Ambulance Transport.

Information: AAP Motorsports at 655-5889 loc 823.