Michael and Michael James Lhuillier showcased their exceptional roadmanship, clinching the 2023 Grand Champion title and multiple accolades in the recent Tour de Cebu Historic Sports Car Rally.
The eighth edition of the event, organized by the Performance and Classics Enthusiasts of Cebu (PACE) and the Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC), aimed to promote drive tourism in the central provinces of the archipelago.
The Lhuilliers, members of the PACE club, secured victory in the 225-km Stage 1 from Tubigon to BE Grand Resort in Panglao, as well as the 227-km Panglao to Catigbian Stage 2, both in Bohol province, establishing a comfortable lead. Their triumphs extended to winning the PACE Chairman Class and the Best Period Dressed Team awards, complementing their 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL.
Another PACE club father and son tandem of Lui and Anton Alvarez, and their 1973 Datsun 240Z won the longest leg, the 237-km Stage 3 from Catigbian to Panglao, which traversed the eastern interior roads. MSCC’s Bai Burila and Jelou Cabuga snatched the141-km Stage 4 loop drive from Panglao and back on board their 1959 MGA deluxe Le Mans to win 3rd Place Overall honors.
The son-and-father pair of Raju and Oscar Medalla, also of MSCC, won 2nd Place Overall despite gas pedal challenges and emerged as the Roberto Aboitiz Class champion for cars up to 1966 model, with their 1965 Porsche 912 for the second time
The only all-ladies team of Andrea Aldeguer and Alyeska Yunam won the Clubman Class Champion trophy, while Tonet Ramos and JB Mapa from Bacolod copped the Sportsman Class, and MSCC’s Joekid Rivera and Anthony Ty champed the Tribute Class.
Special awards were also presented to Neri Pio (Esprit de Corps) and Edwin Torres (Gentleman Racer).
Meanwhile, solo driver and first-time participant Rod Garcia surmounted the road challenges to win the Survivor Award, while the Aldeguer family headed by Jay Aldeguer and daughters Andrea and Arianna earned the Family Team Award.
The Rally also included five non-competing cars in the Special Touring Group led by world-class designer Kenneth Cobonpue and his 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, one of Tour de Cebu’s pioneers.
Sponsored by Petron Blaze and Petron Turbo Diesel, the TDC was flagged off at NUSTAR Resort, made a loop drive around the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), boarded the Fast Cat ferry to Tubigon, Bohol, and made a 1,000-km drive around the island province.