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Team TRS Formula V1 dominates 2017 GT Radial x 8 Oras Ng Pilipinas endurance race

By Randy
.
December 13, 2017

Last December 3, 2017, the much-awaited GT Radial x 8 Oras Ng Pilipinas endurance race went underway at the Clark International Speedway (CIS) in Pampanga. In light of this, history was made as the event attracted 114 drivers with 31 cars on the grid, making it the biggest turnout ever for its organizer Philippine Endurance Challenge (PEC).

In review, the 8-hour endurance race served as the climax of PEC’s race calendar this year, with the shorter 4 Oras Ng Pilipinas event taking place last June. At the time, team BMW-AutoPerformace dominated the grueling race. This time, however, it was the #6 Formula V1 which was the star of the show.

But first, the race went green at exactly 8:40 a.m. The entire grid, which was divided into 6 categories RP, FM-1, FM-2, FM-3, Manufacturer’s Cup, and Formula battled for the ideal line coming into turn 1.

Right off the bat, the #5 SmartFuels2Race car blazed through and took command. But its lead didn’t last long as it was hounded with mechanical failures, resulting to its longs stays in the service area during the opening hours. Because of this, race fans enjoyed seeing a 3-way battle for the lead between the #19 Team Shell Helix-Big Chill and the #1 Centrum Fuel-GT Radial with its #25 sister car coming into the first half of the race.

Much like in the international endurance racing beat, most battles during the 8 Oras Ng Pilipinas were fought using the dark arts of pit lane poker. With that being said, countless positions were gained and lost in the pits due to the strict 2-minute stop rule. This rule states that a car has to remain still in the pits for 2 whole minutes for driver and/or tire change, quick repairs, and the likes.

Each team had its own strategies to use the 2-minute pit stop rule as an advantage. Teams like the TRS Formula V1 and its #6 car driven by Mike Tuason, Ferdie Ong, Bjorn Ongtiaobok, Loius Ramirez, and Luis Gono. Taking turns piloting the car, the wheel was eventually handed to Gono with just 12 minutes remaining. He would eventually cross the line in 1st, thus making him and his team the overall champ.

The #25 Centrum Fuel-GT Radial car of Emerson Ocampo and Migui Briones, on the other hand, went home with a 2nd place overall victory and a 1st place win in RP class. Meanwhile, finishing 3rd overall with a 2nd place RP class win was the #19 Team Shell Helix-Big Chill of Peewee Mendiola, Paolo Santos, Dax Santiano, and Milo Rivera. They were trailed by the #1 Centrum Fuel-GT Radial car of Mikko Briones and Daryl Flores.

In FM-1, team PartsPro Racing of Tyson Sy, Stefano Marcelo, and father-and-son Carlos and Iñigo Anton came out on top with the class victory. The team managed to clock in 186 laps. Crossing the line in 2nd was the #14 Team Cebu car (a finish which would also earn it the FM-2 class victory). On the other hand, clinching 3nd was the #17 BMW-AutoPoerformance car of George Apacible, Stefan Ramirez, Enrique Hormillo, Francis Aguila, and Sung Joon Park.

Behind the #14 car was the #13 Toyota Vios Cup machine of Markku Suarez, Brian Currie, Norris See, and Dr. Clive Fermin. This would also mean that the team won the championship in FM-3. Finally in Manufacturers Cup, the #30 KYB SmartFuels car of Steve Travers, Sherwin Bargos, and Jack Saquilayan was crowned the class champion.

Congratulations to all the winners!

The Philippine Endurance Challenge 8 Oras ng Pilipinas 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, Angeli Jewelry, and Tes Advertising. It's supported by Aguila Auto Glass, Pro Simulation Karera, Walter Lights and Sounds, Aeromed, CTR Suspension Parts, Driftmob Works Pilipinas, and 2ndGen Insurance. Media partners include 2NER Magazine, 9tro, ABS-CBN Sports and Action, AutoCar Philippines, AutoDeal.com.ph, AutoIndustriya.com, C! Magazine, CarGuide.Ph, Carmudi.com.ph, Ignition.Ph, JamesDeakin.Ph, JDM Underground, Manila Bulletin Drive, Pit Talk Asia, The Score, and Time Attack Manila.

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About the Author

Randolph de Leon
Randy is a person with disability (PWD), a partially-blinded person with only his left eye functioning. Since childhood, the automobile has always been his passion, and is able to express it through photography and most recently, through writing as well. Outside the motoring beat, Randy spends time manning the media aspect of his business which he co-founded with his sister/college classmate. It's called Dragonlight Wellness and Solutions, a multi-business venture centering on improving peoples' lives through earning.