Ace drivers rev up for PTCC at Clark

MANILA, Philippines - The showdown for the various titles at stake heats up as 20 of the country’s best circuit racing drivers clash this weekend in the second leg of the 2013 Philippine Touring Car Championship Series at the Clark International Speedway.

Joey Pery of Forex is out for an impressive finish in the next four races against multi-titled champ Carlos Anton of Ethanworks Racing while defending PTCC Driver of the Year William Tan of 2Go-Promithium Racing guns for crucial wins to keep him on course for a back-to-back plum.

The event is organized by Automobile Association Philippines, promoted by the Philippine Race Car Driver’s Inc. and co-presented by Kumho Tires, Tiarra Commerical, Forex, Promithium, Velocity Motors, Speedlab and Aeromed Ambulance Transport.

Aside from racing, the Clark International Speedway will host the FIA/CAMS Practical Oficials Safety Training to equip qualified race officials and marshalls with better knowledge on handling emergency situations.

Competing drivers will be vying for the titles in Division 1 (for 200hp cars), Division 2  (for 150hp cars), Division3 (for 100hp cars).

Pery, the 2010 PTCC champion, ruled three of the four races in the season kickoff to gain Division 1 solo leadership with 72 points.

 Anton proved to be his toughest rival as he won Race 3 aside from two runner-up feats and a fourth place finish that installed him at second overall with 58 points.

Arnel Carlos of DKC Racing is third overall with 42 points while Tan hopes to bounce back from bad starts in the first two races.

Tan is tied for fourth place with Stefan Ramirez, the son and grandson of racing legends Kookie and Pocholo Ramirez, with 25 points apiece.

Joining them in the hunt for the Division 1 crown are Dwight Kevin Carlos, Dennis Uy of Seaoil-Velocity Motors, Ramil Madriaga of IRM Motorsports, slalom sensation Milo Rivera of Tough Gear Racing Team and  Enzo Pastor, Phl bet in the EuroNascar Series.

Last year’s Division 3 champion Allan Arguelles eyes another sweep against Walter Zamora in Division 2 while Bjorn Ongtiaobok tries to preserve solo lead in Division 3 against Edwin Rodriguez, Ed Anguluan of Shift Racing and lone female driver Yvanna Carangan of Tuason Racing School.

“If the kickoff leg were just a preview, expect the next four races in this second leg to be more grueling and nerve-wracking with jampacked crowd flocking to the Clark International Speedway to cheer their bets and enjoy the adrenaline rush,” said AAP Motorsports operations manager Mark Desales.