New stars rise in Circuit Showdown

MANILA, Philippines - New stars sparkled as the biggies faded in the penultimate stage of Circuit Showdown, which saw a record number of participants last weekend at the Clark International Speedway.

With 88 participants in the Time Attack and 40 in the grid races, the last leg saw the northerners making their mark in various classes in the country’s newest race circuit – the Clark International Speedway.

Grid C had three break outs for the top runners in the field, leaving the two top finishers with two-minute penalties. The 21 car-grid was a tight battle among drivers giving  everything they’ve got,  some leaving their cars in the gravel traps. When the checkered flag was waved after the 10th lap, Edwin Rodriguez took the top step of the podium, followed by Toby Santiago and James Santiago.

Grid B proved to be too taxing for some drivers who had to endure a 12-lap race on the CS full course. But after the 28th minute, Niño Garcia was the clear winner, posting an astonishing 19-second lead over the next car driven by Edward Pujol,  followed by Michael Bryan Co in third.

In Grid A, Rafael LaO’s winning streak was broken when his windshield shattered in the first lap, forcing him to retire. This gave Marc Thomann the chance to beat the front running Evo’s  of Ferdie Sia and Miko Maristela.

In the time trial, Bracket F winner Edmund Dupo finished in front of Inigo Anton by tenths of a second and left Eugene Alonzo hanging on to third.  

Bracket E brought out a new participant to the top step in Jason Young, who beat out the  CS regulars. He was followed by Daniel Pineda and MC Agapito.

Toby Santiago topped Bracket D, in a 1-2-3 finish with  teammates Alvin Atacador and Luigi Cupino. Bracket C had a familiar winner in Eugene Uyboco, who beat Jun Cabrera and Paolo Alabanza.

Bracket B saw last year’s Grid A champion, Niño Garcia, at the top followed by Michael Bryan Co and Edward Pujol. In Bracket A Joby Tanseco placed first in his 997 Porsche Turbo, followed by Ferdie Sia in his Mitsubishi Evo IX and Marc Thomann third aboard a Honda Civic EK Hatch.

Fastest time of the day went to Carlos Anton (2:05.046) in his Honda CRX.

The event was supported by GT Radial, Staging Lanes Las Piñas, HKS Super Oil, Dixcel, Rota Wheels, Monster Energy Drink, Walter Lights n Sounds, Aguila Auto Glass, Maxspeed, Hardrace, Foil A Car, Runstop Rotors, Egghead, PhilGerma Top Gear Phil., Sweetspot420, autoindustriya.com, kotse.com, Legit Manila, UNTV and Solar Sports Desk.

More information: www.facebook.com/circuitshowdown