BYD F0 gets good reviews from Circuit Showdown champion drivers

MANILA, Philippines–The BYD F0 served as the “spec car” during the recent Challenge of Champions (COC) race-off, organized by Flat Out Race Series Inc. (FORS) headed by Edward dela Rosa last Dec. 6 at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

The event saw 14 drivers, all champions and previous winners of the Circuit Showdown series, take turns racing against the clock behind the wheel of a race-prepared BYD F0 to determine who was the best of the best.

After all the drivers had laid rubber on the tarmac, it was 2013 Bracket D champion Al Jeffrey Lacambra who topped the time sheet with the winning time of 2:13:458. Taking second spot was 2010 and 2011 Bracket A/Open Class champion Mark Thomann, who posted a 2:14:199. Rounding out the podium was 2014 Bracket E champion Jem Qerimit, who landed in third place with a time of 2:14:440.

The format of driving around the circuit using only one vehicle meant that the competitors had to rely on their driving skills and little else, which was a challenge welcomed by all the Circuit Showdown champions. They were also highly appreciative of the diminutive BYD F0 racing car, which, to their surprise, was packed with lots of performance and fun to drive.

According to newly crowned COC king Lacambra, “The F0 was refreshing! Usually we have unknown brands that are not really that good. Pagdating mo sa corners, when you drive it on the circuit, it feels solid. Maganda siyang gamitin.”

Thomann, meanwhile, said: “The BYD F0 is really fun! Nice car, really nimble. And good handling. And I’ve known this all along because I’ve spent the last season battling with this car in the Philippine Microseries. I always knew there was wonderful potential to it.”

Qerimit was equally pleased with the BYD F0. “Actually ’di ko ine-expect na ganung kaliksi yung kotse especially sa corners. Maganda yung auto and talagang sumusunod sa likuan.”

The other competitors were also all praises for the little car. Ferdie Sia, 2014 Grid A champion, had this to say: “I was surprised with the power and handling of the car. And in fact, if we were given more time with the car, we could have even [done] faster laps. I’m sure of that. The power is there all throughout the rev range. And it was so surprising, it was really fast!”

2014 Bracket G champion Allan Santos stated: “The experience is good for a three-cylinder car. It’s quite fast for its category. It’s compatible to what I’m using, the Jazz. So all in all, the experience is very good. The handling is better as well.”

Thomann, who is also a member of FORS, added: “BYD’s support has been incredible. Imagine providing us with the car for the champions to use—14 champions using one car—and it never even flinched. And the performance was really incredible! It never changed. Lap times kept going down, meaning that the car was getting better as it went along. We’re really very thankful that BYD has taken the initiative in helping us.”