Grand touring races up at Clark International speedway

MANILA, Philippines — Paulo Ivan Santos and Edwin Rodriguez thrived in the difficult wet conditions and shared third-leg honors by ruling Races 1 and 2, respectively in the Yokohama GT 200 competition of the 2018 Petron Philippine Motorsports Championships at Clark International Speedway in Clark Field, Pampanga, recently.

The series-leading Santos sat in front of a big 1-2 windup for Team Shell Helix Ultra-Big Chill Racing by besting his father Paul for the Race 1 title in 23 minutes, 29.010 seconds over 10 laps around the rain-soaked 4.2-kilometer circuit.

The elder Santos, driving a Honda FD machine like his son, flashed home just 2.624 seconds behind, with Andres Calma, son of PBA basketball great Hector, 15.286 seconds adrift in third spot in a Honda EK and Rodriguez fourth, 18.208 off the winning pace.

It was Rodriguez’s turn to shine in Race 2 with a gritty stand, pushing his own Honda FD to the limit to prevail in 24:58.707, halfway through the six-leg series.

Rodriguez, the 2016 Golden Wheel GT Driver of the Year awardee, alternated with the younger Santos at the head of the field four times during the race until Santos – owner of the quickest laps in both races – shockingly pulled to a stop in the payoff loop, a mechanical glitch failing him near the last straight.

Paul Santos clinched second place anew, 35.420 seconds off Rodriguez, with Russ Agapito finishing third, 54.544 seconds behind in a Honda Civic EK.

Agapito settled for the GT 150 title over Lewy Manio and Kathy Villar in both Races 1 and 2.

The other class winners were Norris See (Races 1 and 2, Vitz Cup), Carlos Castaneda (Philminiracers Classic Mini), Fil Gulfin (Classic Aspirated Cup) and Kim Lagman (Sparco Cup).