Coseteng rules GT races in comeback

CLARK, Philippines – Jody Coseteng reasserted his supremacy of the two races on his comeback stint recently in the third leg of the 2014 Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring (GT) Car Championship Series at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Coseteng, who missed action in the first two legs, displayed the same top form and intensity that earned him last year’s crown by ruling both the Sprint and GT main race of this event which is part of the 2014 BRC Motorsports Championship season presented by Petronas, sponsored by Yokohama and sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).

Topping the qualifying time trials with 2:08.335, he quickly seized the front seat and pulled ahead for a dominating victory in the morning’s nine-lap Sprint race nearly 11 seconds ahead of reigning PTCC champion Carlos Anton of Ethanworxs-R33 Racing Team to clinch the GT300 crown.

Anton eventually claimed the GT200 title over 2010 PTCC champ Joey Pery  with former GT winner William Tan and young Paolo Mantolino bagging third and fourth place  honors, respectively.

Richmon dela Rosa prevailed in the wild and closely-contested battle for the GT150 plum over runner-up Allen Macaraig and third placer Dindo de Jesus, with Raymond Ronquillo and Walter Zamora winding up fourth and fifth, respectively, while debuting Ivan Diaz snatched the GT100 triumph over the more-experienced Edwin Rodriguez.

Coseteng was also unstoppable in the afternoon’s 17-lap GT main race where he dictated the tempo from start to complete his sweep of the GT300 plum over Dondon Portugal.

Pery copped the GT200 title after wresting the lead on the final lap from Anton who built a wide gap until a malfunctioning spark plug slowed him down just a few meters away from the finish line but still managed to salvage runner-up honors.

Tan and Mantolino again ended third and fourth, respectively.

Dela Rosa also swept the GT150 crown over Macaraig and third placer Ronquillo with De Jesus and Antonio Moncupa settling for fourth and fifth, respectively, while Raffy Latorre thwarted Rodriguez for the GT100 title.

Takashi Ito prevailed anew in the Winds Formula Philippine Cup over Sung Joon Park and third placer Masamichi Kawai while Adrian Lampano topped the fast growing favorite Sparco Bracket Circuit Racing over Franklin Ong and Rennie Fortunato.

The PhilMiniracers Championship Series saw Rodney Caballero bagging the Open Pro crown over Bernard Sy; and Borgy Zoleta and Sebastian Donato clinching the Expert title over Raniel Ortiz and Jun Mallari.

Aries Padiernos topped the Junior class; Rick Jason de Guzman won the Newbie 1275cc class over Alejandro Sese while Michael Santi bagged the Newbie 1000cc crown over Benjo Bautista.

In the VW Kafer Cup, Daniel Castaneda emerged the Class A champion over Carlos Castaneda and Dexter Daquigan while Dino de Jesus copped the Class B plum over Ferdinand Razonable and Banjo Bautista.