Close racing action intensifies Round 1 of the 2019 Giti Formula V1 Challenge

Time Trial

The race weekend started off with a Saturday noon Qualifying Time Trial, followed by the first race of the season just a few hours before sunset. 16 year old Filipino-Singaporean driver Alex Brown of team Toyota Balintawak/Obengers took command of the Amateur (Am) Class time sheets by clocking in a best lap time of 1:50.854. Not far behind was OTR Racing Team’s Red Diwa who managed a 2^nd fastest time of 1:52.416. Meanwhile, claiming 3^rd fastest with a time of 1:52.751 was Australian driver Shane Henderson of team A Line Autosport.

Up in Professional (Pro) Class, Estefano Rivera of team Toyota Otis/Obengers made a blistering 1:50.178 best lap time, earning him a clean spot at the front of the grid. Next in line was Japanese driver Ryo Yamada of team Cleanfuel Racing who checked in a close 1:50.206, followed by team Ensport/Fourth Floor Racing’s Stefan Ramirez in 3^rd with a best lap time of 1:51.252

Race 1

The green light soon went off a few hours later, signaling the start of Race 1. Minor hits and close calls were aplenty throughout the 12-lap race, a sign of more action-packed things to come. In the end though, it was Alex Brown who clinched the Am Class checkered flag in 1^st place, followed by Shane Henderson and Red Diwa in 2^nd and 3^rd places, respectively.

In pro Class, Ryo Yamada made a valiant effort to take home 1^st, ahead of Estefano Rivera in 2^nd and Stefan Ramirez in 3^rd.

Race 2

Sunday morning (May 19) marked the start of Race 2, and what a strong show of force by Alex Brown as he, again, took home 1^st in Am Class. On his tail were Red Diwa and Shane Henderson who completed the 12-lap race in that order.

Similarly in Pro Class, Ryo Yamada took another 1^st place victory. Finishing 2^nd was Stefan Ramirez who successfully held back Estefano Rivera. The latter would complete the race in 3^rd, thus rounding off the podium top 3.

Race 3

The final race of the day was also the highlight race of Round 1. Aside from being held in reverse starting grid order, it was also slightly behind schedule as there were technical issues, and that the weather was looking to let loose a heavy one. The race went on, anyway, but not without a few heart-stopping moments.

One such moment was that of team Cleanfuel Racing’s Dominic Roque’s lap 4 incident. Due to a slightly slippery track caused by a light drizzle, the Am Class contender lost control and crashed, rendering him unable to finish the race. Fortunately, he walked away unscathed, thanks to the V1 car’s suit of safety features such as the monocoque body construction, racing harness, and roll bar.

The stewards opted to red flag the race for a brief moment to clear the track. But just a few corners after restart, Stefan Ramirez spun out. He was able to continue, but as a result, the Pro class driver crossed the line in 13^th place.

Due to the delays, the race was cut short to just 7 laps. In the end, it was Alex Brown, yet again, who dominated Am Class. Joining him on the podium were Red Diwa in 2^nd and Bryan Co of Giti Racing Team in 3^rd.

Finally in Pro Class, Estefano Rivera would finish the race in 1^st, overcoming the reverse-grid challenge. He was followed by Raymond Ronquillo of Frontrow Racing in 2^nd and Finland national Jussi Hoikka of Growl Thule Racing team in 3^rd.

Catch the next Round of the 2019 Giti Formula V1 Challenge on July 20 and 21 at the 4.2 km long Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

The 2019 Giti Formula V1 Challenge is made possible by Tuason Racing, with the help of the following sponsors and media partners: Giti Tires, Phoenix Pulse Technology, Phoenix Accelerate, West Racing Cars Japan, Rota Wheels, OMP, AEG Powertools, Oakley, Autocar PH, Autoindustriya, C! Magazine, ESPN 5, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Wheels PH, and JamesDeakin.ph.

Photos: Randolph de Leon