World Rally Championship (WRC) fans had a field day over the weekend with the recent staging of the first leg of the Philippine Rallycross Series (PRS). Held at a sprawling Noveleta Motorsports Park along Antero Soriano Highway, Noveleta, Cavite. A total of 26 competitors fought for championship points, as they battled it out in the muddy and twisty 1.4 kilometer racetrack. “Engine power does not matter here. Its suspension set up, handling and driver skills that matter in this kind of race,” says Mark Desales, Motorsports Director for the Automotive Association of the Philippines (AAP). The PRS has been certified by the AAP, the governing body of Philippine Motorsports and the official representative of the FIA in the country.
The event was divided into classes: Groups 1 to 4; UVand the Open Class. The race also had two stages, Day and the Night Race stage. The top three finishers were Andy Nocum who had a blistering run of 3.03.29 for Group One; Mon Dimapilis for Group Two and Group Three who clocked in an impressive 2.57.56; Boyet Policarpio ruled Group Four with a time of 2.50.06; Gerald Lim ruled the UV category with 2.56.70 aand in the Open Class, Boyet Policarpio had the best time of 2.49.50.
The venue was bursting to the rafters with people from Cavite and neighboring provinces who ogled and visually treated to a parade of race cars getting down and dirty. The most popular race car among the lot that raced in last weekend’s rallycross belonged to Alberto “Tito” Arbatin and his 185bhp turbo diesel Land Rover Defender 90 Bowler. A faster and meatier version of the land Rover Defender, this Bowler edition has an upgraded suspension, monster brake kit, and has a stage two tuned rally specification. It made mince meat of the track, as it tore down the deep muddy chicanes and gamely absorbed the road imperfections. “I am a Land Rover enthusiasts and it will be sacrilege if I am seen driving a different brand. This Bowler is the ultimate off-road vehicle,” says Arbatin who is a known Land Rover collector.
Also known as “Run what you brung”, the Rallycross Series is organized by veteran racers led by Olson Camacho, Eggay Quesada, Jun Nocum and Ronnie Trinidad. Each of these individuals had racing experience in rally racing, karting, circuit racing; off-road rally raid and drifting. “We want the people who love racing to have a proper venue. If you think you are fast and your car can take it, don’t race in the streets, do your racing here at the rallycross challenge,” adds Quesada. Event partners are Mayor Dino Reyes Chua of Noveleta, Cavite; Isuzu Philippines Corporation, AAP and Atoy Bodykits.