The opening round of the 2017 FlatOut Race Series (FORS) went off on a high note last March 18 at the Batangas Racing Circuit. The day’s varying weather condition and track temperature served as added challenges to the 91 drivers who battled it out for the win in the Time Attack and Grid Race events.
Time Attack
The day started with the Time Attack event. When the dust settled, it was Rafael la’O who emerged victorious with a blistering best lap time of 1:48.725 which also handed him the 1st podium position in Bracket R. He was trailed in 2nd place by Eduardo Suiza with a close 1:48.880. Not far behind in 3rd was Dondon Portugal who clocked in a best lap time of 1:49.939. The same finishing order was seen in Bracket R, a special bracket which pits the fastest cars in Bracket A against each other.
Down in Bracket B, Ed Christian Go set the pace high and clinched 1st place with a time of 1:56.016. Coming in 2nd place was Aaron Lao who stopped the clock at 1:56.347. In 3rd place came Andrew De Asis with a time of 1:56.424. The Bracket C victory, on the other hand, went to lady driver Kathy Villar with her best time of 1:59.083. Joining her on the podium in 2nd place was Miggy Sohu who posted a best lap time of 1:59.473. Meanwhile, Paul Santos’ 2:00.054 lap earned him the 3rd spot.
The top 3 podium positions in Bracket D went to Zak Mendoza, Arbie Jacinto, and John Benedict Carbonel in that order, while Bracket E saw Alain Matias, Bernard Michael Santos, and Mars Ocampo placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively.
In Bracket F, Ronn Catindig claimed 1st place, followed by Greg Suing in 2nd and Robert Tan in 3rd. Finally in Bracket G, Ralph Tan took home 1st followed by Noel Delos Reyes in 2nd. Mark Pascual came in 3rd.
Grid Race
The action continued with the day’s Grid Races. Taking dibs on the leader board in GT Radial Grid A was Dondon Portugal. He bested la’O and Suiza who clinched 2nd and 3rd respectively. Meanwhile in KYB Grid B, Aaron Lao cruised to the line with a 49-second lead over 2nd placer Peewee Mendiola and 3rd finisher Hector Tan.
In SmartFuels Grid C, Ed Christopher Go’s failure to start opened an intense 1-on-1 race between Sherwin Bargos and Polo Bautista. At the checkered flag’s wave, the former outclassed the latter.
The Recaro Grid D and Works Bell Grid E produced a huge turnout of 25 drivers as the said grid races were combined. Clinching the top 3 spots in Grid D were Mark Erwin Bayan, Robbie Alvarez, and Jack Saquilayan in that order. Grid E, on the other hand, was dominated by Robert Tan, Paolo Santos, and Andre Makkina Tan who placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively.
Catch the action again this Saturday, April 1 as the 2017 FlatOut Race Series holds its 2nd round still at the Batangas Racing Circuit.
The 2017 Flat Out Race Series (FORS) is sponsored by GT Radial – Philippines, KYB, EPPCO, RECARO, Staging Lanes, Competition Clutch, SmartFuels, Seiken Brake Parts, Works Bell, 602PTG, Brodeth Motorsports, Tuason Racing School, OMP, and Angeli Jewelry. It's supported by Walter Lights and Sounds, Aeromed, Ninja Performance, Totem Bikes, CTR, and 2ndGen Insurance. Media partners include 2NER Magazine, AutoCar Philippines, AutoDeal.com.ph, AutoIndustriya.com, C! Magazine, CarGuide.Ph, Carmudi.Ph, Ignition.PH, JamesDeakin.Ph, JDM Underground, Manila Bulletin Drive, Pit Talk Asia, and Time Attack Manila.
