Estefano Rivera bags 2019 Giti Formula V1 Challenge overall title

Race 1

Just hours after Saturday morning’s time trials, the green flag soon waved to start Race 1. And right after green light, drama ensued as several drivers namely Raymond Ronquillo of Frontrow Racing, Raffy Rabe of Phoenix Racing, Francesco Dino of Edgesport Racing, Dominic Roque, and Alex Brown found themselves in the receiving end of a pile up coming into turn one. Thankfully, no one got seriously hurt, albeit Brown not being able to race for the weekend due to the heavy damage his car has sustained.

At checkered flag, Rivera crossed the line in 1^st in Pro Class, ahead of Yamada who took home 2^nd. Following closely in 3^rd was Jussi Hoikka of team Growl Thule Racing. Down in Am Class, Red Diwa clinched 1^st, while Bryan Co of team Giti Racing took hold of 2nd place. In 3^rd was Jerry Choi of team One formula Racing.

Race 2

The following day saw the start of Race 2, and was highlighted by an exciting duel between Rivera aned Yamada. The two rivals went head-to-head during the entire 12-lap race, swapping places every now and then. It was an exciting battle all the way to the end as the two capped it off with a brilliant photo finish.

Rivera came out on top of that tussle, while Yamada kept the pressure up to take 2^nd place in Pro Class. Witnessing all of that was Raymond Ronquillo who finished 3^rd. In Am Class, Diwa took another 1^st place win, with Roque and Co securing 2^nd and 3^rd places, respectively.

Race 3

All the action boiled down to the final race of the season. Race 3 began under the blistering heat of the sun, with rain clouds looming on the horizon to make things all the more challenging. Adding to that was the double points to be awarded to the winner and the reverse-grid order which made things interesting for the front runners in both classes.

In the end, Yamada took the Pro Class checkered flag in 1^st, followed by Rivera in 2^nd and Stefan Ramirez in 3^rd. But this result was more than enough for Rivera to be crowned this year’s champion, since he was just behind Yamada by 1 point in the leader board. In Am class, Diwa, Co, and young gun Raffy Rabe of team Phoenix Pulse Racing crossed the line in that order.

As it stands, Rivera is now suiting up for a V1 race in Suzuka, Japan to be held this December 7 and 8. Overall 2^nd placer Yamada, on the other hand, will be in for a treat as he will be heading for Sepang in Malaysia to test driver a Formula Masters racecar under team Eurasia Motorsport, the date of whoch is still to be announced.

Even though the official 2019 season has ended, things for this year’s Giti Formula V1 Challenge are not over yet. On November 16, all roads will lead to the Clark International Speedway for the Giti Ultra 4 Race, a 4-hour endurance racing featuring formula V1 racers, Toyota Vios Circuit Championship racers. This will be made extra spicy with a supercar car club track day featuring supercar car clubs from all over the country.

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 by Randolph de Leon and Tuason Racing