Viray sets new Boss IronMan Challenge mark

MANILA, Philippines - Businessman Jotle Viray set a new record in the 2014 BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS) as he towed his motorcycle group Club PK to the top in the ninth staging of the prestigious annual endurance event that took the motorcycle participants to the Central and Northern Luzon.

Completing the 1,200-kilometer route in 11 hours, 23 minutes, Viray erased the record of 12:15 held by BOSS rider Joey Almeda. Viray’s feat also was notable in that it was the first time the endurance test was ruled by a non-BMW rider. He had a KTM 1190 Adventure.

The BOSS IronMan Challenge, which drew 300 top motorcycle riders who banded together to highlight safe riding, requires the riders to go through Central and Luzon provinces with six required stops along the 1,200-kilometer course. It was held last Jan. 11.

Club PK also ruled the Car Category with Mini-Cooper Countryman S. Gemini Co and Derek Ng beating over  20 other competitors.

“Club PK is proud to be associated with this event. Beyond the achievements and records set, it has successfully fostered camaraderie and unity within the motor sports community,”  said Viray.

Another Club PK member and Touratech rider Jason Maligaya finished in the Top 5 using his BMW motorcycle. The other top four finishers were Viray, Joey Almeda and Leo Valderama of Club BOSS and Hubert Soriano of Club 200.

Participants were given the opportunity to test their skills while keeping in mind safe riding, navigating, orienteering and physical endurance. It also provides a venue to meet other motor sports enthusiasts from clubs all over the country while enjoying the beautiful sights of Central and Northern Luzon.

The contest aimed to foster camaraderie, and tout safe riding from within the motorbiking community as well as embed national pride. According to Viray, the motorcycle groups have also banded  together to help the victims of supertyphoon Yolanda.                 

The motorcycle groups are due to hand over within the month 15 fishing bancas to some of the affected families with some of the boats made by the Tacloban fishermen themselves. This is to ensure that the displaced fisherfolk also earn income.

Aside from the monthly gatherings and weekly friendly contests, the motorcycle groups also try to identify possible scenic spots that the groups discover so that the country’s tourism industry takes off. The sense of civic duty is usually discussed during the friendly contests that the bike groups hold even as the safe riding is made paramount.

The presentation rites will take place Jan. 22 at the BMW Autohaus in Libis, Quezon City.