Photos by Lester Shih
The GT Radial - Circuit Showdown returned to the Clark International Speedway (CIS) in Pampanga last June 2, 2012 to stage the 4th leg of its 2012 season. 60 drivers signed up to put on their fastest lap in the Time Trial event, while 32 brave souls went wheel-to-wheel in the three Grid races. The high speed West Course was used once again in the six Time Trial Brackets and two Grid races. The main Grid A race, however, upped the ante and ran the full course in CIS.
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Circuit
Familiar faces were once again topping the time sheets at the 3rd leg of the GT Radial - Circuit Showdown 2012. Held at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) last May 5, Nino Garcia took his second win of the season in Grid A while Carlos Anton makes it three in row in Bracket A. The 91 entrants in the Time Trial and Grid race also had to contend with mixed weather conditions, making driving on the limit even more challenging. Adding to the excitement were the several supercars that competed in the Time Trial event, which made the show even better for the spectators.
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Circuit
Photos by Christopher Kho
Even with the scorching heat of the sun, over 200 drivers and spectators showed up at the Clark International Speedway (CIS) in Pampanga for the second leg of the GT Radial - Circuit Showdown 2012, last April 14. Run on the circuit's West Course, the Philippines' largest motorsports gathering attracted 70+ entrants for the Time Trial and 25 cars in the Grid race once again.
Grid Race
For the main 10 lap sprint race, Nino Garcia in his Subaru Impreza STI came out on top in Grid A, barely holding off the charging Paolo Mantolino who was only 0.898 seconds behind when the pair crossed the finished line. Coming in third was Rafael La'O in his new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution who was more than 10 seconds behind.
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Circuit
Circuit Showdown, the Philippines' largest motorsports gathering, officially kicked off the 2012 season with its first leg at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC), last March 3, 2012. Sponsored by GT Radial, over 70 entrants competed in the Time Trial event, while 25 cars went head-to-head for the feature Grid race, with participants coming from as far as Cebu and Davao. There were even a few supercars in attendance, a yellow Ferrari F430 Scuderia and a white Lamborghini Gallardo, that competed in the Time Trails and hyped up the excitement.
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Circuit
29 February 2012
2012 RMSC National Slalom Series Leg 1: Mendiola makes a comeback
After missing out on the 2011 Championship with just a few points, Dr. Peewee Mendiola from the Big Chill Racing Team was a man on a mission when he returned for the 1st leg of the 2012 Race Motorsports Club's (RMSC) Shell Helix National Slalom Series, held last February 19, 2012 at the Robinsons Nova Market.
Mendiola was on a league of his own when he posted a time of 59.36 seconds - almost a full second ahead of nearest rival Milo Rivera. The run earned him both the Overall and Production Rear Wheel best time of the day. Milo Rivera from the Fern C Racing Team, on the other hand, managed a solid 2nd place finish with a time of 60.34 sec, followed closely by Mato Tan of the DGL Racing Team with his 61.02 sec run. In 4th and 5th were DGL himself, David Lim and Peque Alacbay of Team Uno with near-identical times of 61.40 and 61.50 sec.
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Slalom
18 February 2012
2011 TRS Cup Leg 3: Horrigan crowned champion! (w/ video)
Words and photos by Christopher Kho | Video by Jade Lu
With a mere one point lead against closest-rival Bobby Horrigan, it was all or nothing for championship leader Charlie Cojuanco during the third and final leg of the 2011 TRS Cup powered by the Ford Fiesta last January 29, 2012 at the Batangas Racing Circuit. The race weekend also saw some new faces lining up on the grid: Mike Lagman was in the MCGP Fiesta vacated by Benjo Bernabe, while Korean Mickey Kim drove his brand-spanking new Team Auto Access Fiesta.
Things were looking good from the very beginning for Bobby Horrigan, having qualified for pole position with a lap time of 2:07.799. Mickey Kim also surprised spectators on his debut outing, qualifying in second. Conjuanco, on the other hand, had a lot of ground to make up in the race with his 2:09.250 lap, which was only good enough for fifth place.
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Circuit
10 January 2012
2011 TRS Cup Leg 2: Horrigan charges, Cojuanco still out on top
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Powered by the Ford Fiesta, Charlie Cojuangco was out to repeat his previous leg's dominance, but Bobby Horrigan was a man on a mission at the second leg of the TRS Cup held last December 11, 2011 at the Clark International Speedway (CIS) in Pampanga. And despite the dark clouds that hovered above the race track, it remained dry throughout the day, allowing spectators to see some close wheel-to-wheel action.
Cojuangco was right where he left off and qualified on pole for the first two races. Hotel executive Bobby Horrigan, on the other hand, won't be letting the former congressman get away that easily as he takes second spot on the grid, while Team Hafele's Stefan Wolf slots into third.
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Circuit
21 December 2011
Mud, Glorious Mud: The Philippine Tough Truck Challenge XI
Words and photos by Jose Carlo R. Sapera
As a true blue car enthusiast, I'm fascinated with anything on four wheels, especially the ones that go off-road. I'm not talking about showroom spec SUV's such as Land Rovers or Hummers, but all-out modified Suzuki Samurais and old-school Toyota FJ Cruisers that sport huge tractor tires, snorkels, and bullet-proof roll cages, which are purpose-built to go over boulders. And that's exactly what we, with other off-road enthusiasts, witnessed at the 11th Tough Truck Challenge held last December 3 to 4, 2011 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.
Organized by 199 Off Road House, the country's premier off-road shop, this year's roster of tough trucks hailed from different parts of the country and faced yet another daunting challenge of mud, glorious mud. This would also be the first time that the competition was held outside Metro Manila.
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Off Road
