Ramirez and team win Petron Kalayaan Cup 12 Hour endurance race

By Dennis Eroa Philippine Daily Inquirer June 20,2018

Team Auto Performance Victor Hardware Motorsport members celebrate their victory.

Fitting indeed that motor-racing history was made during the celebration of the 120th Philippine Independence Day as the Auto Performance/ Victor Hardware Team emerged triumphant in the country’s first 12-hour endurance race at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Battle-grizzled drivers Stefan Ramirez, SJ Park, Enrique Hormillo, Jeff Borja, George Apacible and Mig Dizon—backed up by an excellent team of mechanics—bucked the inclement weather and inspired driving of other competitors to emerge supreme in the premiere event aptly dubbed as the Kalayaan Cup.

The winners drove a BMW 3.

“Our mechanics once again saved the day, working day and night to repair a heavily damaged car just 24 hours before qualifying. Our crew of volunteers put together an amazing team effort that allowed our drivers to perform as they did en route to two class championships to go along with the overall win,” said Francis Aguila, owner of Aguila Auto Glass, which was one of the sponsors of the winning team.

Driver change between Stefan Ramirez and SJ Park and mechanics filling up fuel with team manager EZ Ligaya providing instructions

Victor Hardware, AutoPerformance Ph, Brembo, Aguila Auto Glass, Atlas Real Estate, Yale Hardware, Rota Wheels, Liqui Moly Philippines, Cameltow Towing Services, Bilstein Philippines, and Race Gear Pilipinas supported the winning team.

In an amazing display of power, class and consistency, Auto Performance/Victor Hardware also topped the the FM1 class (150 hp and higher), while the FM2 class (100 hp to 149 hp) was won by Petron Blaze Tora Tora 2 Team of Raymund Dimapilis, Thirdie, Icasas, and Pepon Marave in a Honda Civic.

The FM3 class (100 hp below) was won by GT/SB Salon/KYB Team of Robert Tan, Sherwin Burgos, Ferdie Sia, and Mars Ocampo in a Toyota Yaris.

The Kalayaan Cup, organized by the Batangas Racing Circuit, suffered delays due to driving rains, and safety cars were used to prevent major accidents as racing cars went off the track.

Ramirez and company, however, kept their composure as they completed 243 laps.

Team GT Radial 1 of Gerard Loy, Don Pastor, Edward De La Rosa, Uly Maningding, and Michael Bryan Co in a Honda Civic EK also completed 243 laps, but failed to snatch first place from Auto Performance/Victor Hardware.

The team settled for second spot, followed by Parts Pro x Carporn Racing, which made 240 laps. Parts Pro x Carporn Racing was composed of son Carlos and Iñigo Anton, brothers Gabe and Kevin Tayao, Errol Panganiban, and Marc Soong. They drove a 2016 Mazda Miata.

Tyson Sy, PartsPro Racing principal Raffy David, Edwin Lee and Carlos Anton

Parts Pro x CarPorn Racing finished second to Auto Performance/Victor Hardware in the FM1 class. Team BRE got second spot in FM2, while BRE x TJR x Tatangworks gained second place in FM3.

Team GT Radial 1 and Team GT Radial 2 emerged 1-2 in the overall team race with a total of 448 laps, followed by Petron Blaze Tora Tora 2 and 1 with 440 total laps.

The four-hour Philippine Endurance Challenge, meanwhile, was won by Team Shell Helix Ultra 2, which completed 79 laps, followed by Mango Suites/BM Racing.

Carlos and Iñigo Anton of PartsPro Racing

Parts Pro x CarPorn Racing ruled he FM1 followed by Parts Pro 1, while Mango Suites/BM Racing pocketed first place in FM2. Mango Suites/BM Racing topped FM3.

The overall team honors went to Team Shell Helix Ultra 1-2-3 with a total of 218 laps, followed by Team GT Radial 1-2 with 147 laps. Team Cebu M&M MRAuto 1-2 placed third with 145 laps.

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