MANILA, Philippines - Multi-titled Jody Coseteng dominated a slew of rivals to sweep the GT300 class in the kickoff of the Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring Car Championships at the Batangas Racing Circuit recently.
Coseteng used his experience and skills to rule both the sprint and final races as he stepped up his bid for the GT Driver of the Year plum.
South Korean Peter Kim of S-Oil Racing took the challenger’s role in the absence of defending champion Vincent Floirendo and veteran Jojo Silverio, but Coseteng could not be denied.
Coseteng pulled ahead early in the sprint race but Kim came to within 0.3 of a second in the first four laps and nearly edged Coseteng after wrapping up the 10-lap race just 0.183 of a second behind.
Willy Torres took third place while two GT200 drivers – Arnel Carlos and newcomer karting champ Milo Rivera – checked in fourth and fifth, respectively.
The event is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petronas Lubricants, official tire Yokohama, and media partners Racing Beat@Wave 89.1 and Inside Motoring on DZRJ 810khz.
In the reversed-grid Final race, Kim took charge in the first three laps but Coseteng seized control in the fourth to finish the 17-lap race in 31 minutes, 3.054 seconds or 4.286 seconds ahead of Kim.