2nd Tour de Cebu: A journey through the picturesque countryside

My work brings me all around the key cities of the Visayas. The trips by plane provide a touch of convenience. But it is the combination of land trips and ferry rides which I greatly enjoy.

One can drive down the southeast side of Cebu to the coastal towns of Boljoon, Oslob and Santander  where the majestic mountain ranges of Negros Oriental can be viewed from the port of Liloan. Just across the narrow strait lies Dumaguete, a city that will keep you at ease with all its charm. Go round the circumferential road of Negros Oriental to buzzling Bayawan and the winding roads of Sipalay up to Negros Occidental to the flats of Kabankalan and Hinigaran to Bacolod.  The wide fields stretching all the way to the horizon are a sight to behold. Then, cutting across the mountain ranges of Negros Occidental, one is rewarded by its awesome sights of Mount Kanlaon in all its majesty. Now imagine Classic Sportcars traversing a thousand kilometers around these majestic route. For a car guy like me, this would be the perfect backdrop.

PACE or Performance and Classics Enthusiasts of Cebu (PACE), in cooperation with the Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC), will be staging the much awaited 2nd Tour de Cebu, a 1,000 km historic sports car rally around the picturesque countryside of Cebu and Negros. The event is inspired by the notable Mille Miglia event that tours around Italy.

Last year, the event, which was supported by Petron Corporation and Sun Life Financial among many others, gathered 25 beautifully restored historic vehicles, comprised mostly of sports cars owned and driven by key personalities from Cebu and Manila. This second run, which will once again be supported by Sun Life Financial, aims to finally cover both Cebu and the Negros Island Region. The tour will again comprise of personalities from Cebu and Manila with an expected participation of over 35 vehicles.

The tour aims to promote the enjoyment and preservation of vintage sports cars and hopes to elevate tourism, as scenic spots in the Visayas will be highlighted.

Tour de Cebu is open to sports cars manufactured in 1972 or older. All entries are by invitation and subject to technical scrutiny led by handpicked professionals grouped in a technical committee. Major factors for passing include authenticity, period correctness, mechanical soundness, and safety.

The official list for eligible sports cars shall be based on a list compiled by the MSCC. PACE grants limited exception for classic, race, or rally cars manufactured on or below the cut-off date of 1972 with high historic value or prestige. Run-off sports car models beyond the manufacturing cut-off of 1972 are allowed pending technical consensus.

Flag-off for the Event will be On October 3 at the Cebu Business Park (at the back of CIC). Cars will be lined up and released one-by-one as these drivers start their 1,000-kilometer  journey.

In addition to the rally, PACE will be holding a 3-day Concours d’ Elegance from October 2 to 4 at the Montebello Villa Hotel in celebration of the prestigious car club’s 10th anniversary.

If you want to be part of this event, please contact Miss Sophie delos Santos, Tradeshow International, Inc. President, at 09178132694 or [email protected].