Stefano Show

Consistency proved vital for Estefano Rivera of Team Obengers/Toyota Otis as he bagged the overall championship title of this year’s Giti-Formula V1 Challenge.

Needing only to place second in the ninth and final race of the season, Rivera did exactly that—finishing behind Race 9 winner and closest rival, Japanese racer Ryo Yamada of Team Cleanfuel Racing.

“Of course I was gunning for first but unfortunately my transmission was damaged: second (gear) wasn’t in the right place, perhaps a result from earlier battles with Ryo. So I decided to just play safe and take the car to the checkered flag,” related Rivera.

The last round of the season, featuring Races 7, 8 and 9, was held last Oct. 20 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

PH representative

For clinching the 2019 championship crown, Rivera will now represent the Philippines in the Formula Vita Japan race slated from Dec. 7 to 8 at the iconic Suzuka Circuit.

“I’m honored and blessed to have the opportunity to race in Suzuka, a world-class track. When I was a kid I would watch Formula 1 there, and to race there hasn’t actually sunk in yet, but in a couple of days I’ll have to start practicing on my Xbox!” said Rivera.

For finishing second overall, Yamada will have the opportunity to be a test driver for Team Eurasia Motorsports where he will be able to drive a Formula Masters race car at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

Other winners
Meanwhile, Red Diwa of OTR Racing ruled the AM Class as he made the most of the double points available in the round. He was crowned the provisional class champion after reigning class leader, Filipino-British karting sensation Alex Brown of AEG-Toyota Obengers, ended his weekend early due to the dramatic crash in Race 7.

According to the organizer, Tuason Racing, the homegrown single-seater race program has developed into one of the biggest racing grids in the country, establishing itself as the highest form of racing available in the Philippines, as well as solved the problem of motorsports sustainability by localizing the cars used in the competition—a collaboration between Tuason Racing and West Racing Cars Japan—for cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance.

The organizer added that throughout the three rounds that began last May 18, the racers all showed great development and on track on becoming world-class competitors.

Collisions at Race 7

The first few seconds of the race were very intense as drivers jostle for a crucial position. This resulted in multiple car collision involving Raymond Ronquillo of Frontrow, Raffy Rabe of Phoenix Racing, Francesco Dino of Edgesport Racing, Dominic Roque of Cleanfuel, and Alex Brown of AEG-Toyota Obengers.

Brown was most unfortunate as his bright orange car sustaining the most damage and needed to be retired. Brown was even brought to the hospital for the mandatory checkup and thankfully, aside from some bruising, the young racer was released on the same day.

Rivera took advantage of the now shortened Race 7 and hold off Yamada despite recording a blistering 2:10 lap record. “Every position counts, going into this event Ryo was leading by a point so there was no math to it—whoever gets the most wins out of three will get the championship,” said Rivera after the race.

Jussi Hoikka of Growl-Thule Racing finished third in the Pro Class, while Red Diwa of OTR Racing claimed first in the AM Class followed by Bryan Co, and Jerry Choi.

Decisive Race 8

With the championship title still up for grabs, Rivera chased Yamada relentlessly in the early minutes of Race 8 until he finally overtook the Japanese driver after skidding wide in the first lap.

Despite Yamada regaining his lead after a few laps, the Obengers driver went ahead for good after executing a dramatic pass late in the race.

Rivera managed to defend his position until the closing second in what may be the closest result of the season: a photo finish showing Rivera and Yamada crossing the line almost side by side.

Yamada applauded his rival after the race, acknowledging that Estefano had there been a few more laps, he would have won.

Stefan Ramirez of Ensport was challenging for third until he was demoted after incurring a false start penalty. This enabled Frontrow’s Raymond Ronquillo to climb the podium, a fitting reward after he fought his way up to the fourth from seventh place on the grid.

In the AM Class, Diwa finished first once more, followed by Roque, and Giti’s Bryan Co.

Roque, who was involved in a major accident in the previous round, stated that it didn’t deter him to get back into the race. “I came from motorcycle racing, so mas delikado ’yun. Regarding what happened to me in that accident, nakakatakot, yes, but mas safe naman siya in a way. The car is built to protect you pag may nangyaring masama.”

Roque was referring to the fact that each Formula V1 car is crash certified by the Japan Automobile Federation and that each racer is required to wear a HANS (a life-saving device that protects a race driver’s neck). Additionally, there are also other safety guidelines that must be strictly followed by Tuason Racing, in cooperation with AAP and CIS, every event.

Race 9: A champion is crowned

In a tightly contested Race 9, Yamada knew he needed to finish first and hope Rivera to finish the race lower than second place. The Japanese driver did his part as he immediately claimed the lead despite starting in the mid-pack position.

However, Rivera made sure that despite encountering problems with his gearbox, he finish second and claim the overall crown.

Meanwhile, Jussi Hoikka battled hard to keep his third position against a hard charging Ramirez. But the Finnish driver was eventually overtaken on the final lap, enabling Ramirez to capture the final podium place in the Pro Class.

In the AM Series, Diwa again claimed first to clinch the class points lead. Giti’s Bryan Co dueled with Dominic Roque for second over several laps until the celebrity racer went wide off track and had to retire.
The accident allowed Phoenix’s Young Driver Raffy Rabe to finish his debut season in third place.

The Giti-Formula V1 Challenge is presented by Phoenix Pulse Technology and Tuason Racing. Sponsored by Giti Tires Philippines, West Racing Cars, OMP, AEG Powertools, Phoenix Accelerate, Rota Wheels, Oakley, Eurasia, FamilyMart, and Don Papa Rhum.