MANILA, Philippines - Team BRE-H3 Autoworks, behind BRE-Motul karters Paul Tan and Ronn Catindig and BRE-H3 drivers Tsai Chien and circuit showdown Grid A driver Vic Edillion Jr. took the overall championship in the eight-hour Philippine Endurance Challenge at the Batangas Racing Circuit recently.
The team bucked mechanical problems in their campaign but still posted a second place finish in Fm1 and wound up third in Fm2 behind a Pachoyota and Coryolla, a Corolla powered by Xoom LPG to capture top team honors.
“Team BRE is dedicating this race to Bong Hilario of H3 Autoworks, the second race driver killed after Enzo Pastor as we urge the early resolution of his case,” said Tan.
Tan and Catindig started eighth and ninth in a mixed grid for BRE-H3 with the latter needing to pit in early due to mechanical problem.
But the team proved up to the task, getting the Coryolla back on track again with Edillion taking over Catindig for the succeeding hours while Tan pitting in the Pachoyota after two hours and 45 minutes with Tsai Chien taking over the wheel.
“The two Corollas were the underdogs of the race. Other team drove Hondas with more powerful engines. There is no way we can catch up especially on the main straight. But my drivers showed a lot of determination and discipline and drove the Pachoyota and Coryolla with very minimal mistake,” said BRE-H3 team manager and coach Pacho Blanco.
“Likewise, our pit managers Mark Mediavillo, Harvey Camposano and Cary Sangalang also did a very good job on coordinating with the drivers,” he added.
Tan and Edillion Jr. finished the remaining hours of the race with 184 and 179 laps.
BRE developed a lot of good drivers this year, including Tan, who recently won the SQ karter of the year plum in National Karting Series. He also vied in the Asian Karting Open Championship in Macau where he finished fifth against Asia’s top drivers.
The other Team BRE’s backers were Toyota Dagupan, Motul, Auto Plus, Sea Oil, Concept One, Xoom Auto LPG, Blanco Marketing, Clean Fuel, Madeline PT & Rehab, FMC LPG, Dynamics Performance, DRX Sign Maker, C. Matias Trading, Pilpride Feeds, Jam Cris trading, Cary’s Autoteknic, Ninja Performance, Nanotected, Kelin Graphic, Ya Chou foods, Koten Safety Breakers, Car Base Auto Aircon, Calata Corp, Starbright Bodykits and Restoration.