Montalbo scores amazing upset in Petronas

MANILA, Philippines - Ralph Montalbo of LEM reigned in the Yokohama Expert champion in a showdown with defending champion Arvin Jay Millet recently in the second leg of the 2013 Petronas Philippine Drag Racing Championship Southern Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

Determination and strategy keyed Montalbo’s big comeback from a grueling struggle to exact revenge against Millet of TEMZ in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and sponsored by Petronas, Yokohama, GT Radials, M&H Tires and media partner Racing Beat at Wave 89.1.

Montalbo suffered a big setback in his first round encounter against Millet and had to go through the losers circle to earn the wildcard ticket back into the mainstream battle.

That’s exactly what he did.  He bagged the wildcard seat to stay in the thick of the title showdown and later thwarted Dondon Santos of Street Tuners and Clark kickoff Yokohama Expert winner Kevin Alonte in the semifinals to forge a titular showdown with Millet.

He upstaged Millet for the crown, clocking 13.978 seconds. Millet took the runner-up honors while Alonte settled for third.

Sharing the limelight with Montalbo are Jannery Millet and Vio Carlo Mandid of Dragoonz.

Jannery, Arvin Millet’s cousin, clinched the Sportsman crown over Angelo Mendoza of R-Perf via a breakout.  Akim Cleofe of Alps Racing bagged third place while Ariteo Banaag ended fourth.

Mandid copped the GT Radial Hotstreet title over Christopher Gonzales with Phoebo Anzel Perez settling for third place.

Details: 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.