MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Jonathan Tiu flashed top form and fashioned out a record-breaking feat in the kickoff leg of the 2014 Petronas Philippine Drag Racing Championship Southern Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip recently.
Tiu, seeking his ninth national crown, steered JCT-Blanche Racing to a big sweep in the Quick 8 division with reigning Northern Series titlist Rommel Dural and Jayson Ong bagging the runner-up and third place honors, respectively, in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petronas, Yokohama Tires, Racewell, M &H Tires and media partner Racing Beat at Wave 89.1.
Driving his new Nissan R35, Tiu stunned the crowd with a new record of 9.091 seconds in his final duel with Dural. He timed 9.103 seconds in the qualifying run.
Tiu was given a third try to set a faster record and broke the nine-second barrier with a stirring 8.957-second clocking. It was, however, not recognized as a new record for lack of the needed back-up time.
“Tiu’s new feat imposes a bigger challenge for other drag racers. And clocking 8.957 seconds opens strong possibilities of seeing the Philippine drag racing record to hit the eight-second mark soon hopefully in the next Clark race,†said Drag Racing director Fil Gulfin.
Martin Manalo topped the Pro class division in 12.108-second clocking, nipping brother Marc, who timed 12.158 seconds.
Jayson Ong of JCT-Blanche Racing placed third.
Manchester Uy got back at Henry Dizon when he ruled the Thunder class in 14.213 seconds. Dizon had 26.154 seconds.
Drag racing action resumes on Feb. 22 for the second leg at the Clark International Speedway.
For details, contact Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 729-72 41-42, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766, mobile No. 0922 8858410 or like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Batangas Racing Circuit or check out our website www.batangasracingcircuit.org.