Rain-soaked action ensues in Round 2 of the 2018 GiTi Formula V1 Race Challenge

New for this round is the Formula V1 debut of team Toyota Balintawak/Obengers which fielded 1 racecar in Pro Class driven by 2017 Toyota Vios Cup Champion and current Asian Formula Renault contender Daniel Miranda. Similar to the opening round, the 2^nd leg of the 2018 GiTi Formula V1 Race Challenge is staged in 3 parts; a Qualifying Time Trial, Race 1, and Race 2.

Qualifying Time Trial

As said, the weekend was battered with heavy rain due to the onslaught of the southwest monsoon (habagat). As a result, visibility was poor, and that the entire track was dangerously slippery. In fact, due to the non-stop rain, the entire timeline of the Formula V1 Round 2 was adjusted further back, giving more pressure to everyone on and off the track. However, these didn’t stop the drivers from giving it a go to qualify as best as they can.

One example is Luis Gono of team Clean Fuel Racing who managed to take Pro Class pole position with a best lap time of 2:22.862. Not far behind was Daniel Miranda who clocked in a 2:24.049 at the 8^th and final lap of the session. In 3^rd was Tyson Sy of team PartsPro Racing who did a close 2:24.756.

The Am Class, on the other hand, saw its fastest man in the form Gono’s teammate Dominic Roque who yielded a best lap time of 2:25.611. In 2^nd was team Growl Thule Racing’s Jussi Hoikka who registered a best lap time of 2:27.055. Meanwhile, Sy’s partner Shane Henderson registered a time of 2:29.570, earning him the session’s Am Class 3^rd fastest.

Race 1

Despite the setbacks, the stewards, teams, and drivers pressed on to green flag Race 1 which was schedule for 12 laps. Right off the bat, things turned all the more hairy as several cars spun out. This signaled the intervention of the safety car. The racing under safety car went on for several laps, much to the hopes of all for the rain to let up… but it didn’t.

With everything not going according to plan, the stewards had no choice but to red flag Race 1 under safety car on lap 7. In light of this, the official Pro Class winners were Luis Gono, Tyson Sy, and Daniel Miranda who finished behind the safety car in that order. For the Am Class, the winners were Sean Smith, Jussi Hoikka, and Shane Henderson in 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd places, respectively.

As hours went by, anxieties were at an all-time high, seeing the rain’s increased downpour prior to the much-delayed Race 2 schedule. To everyone’s dismay, the rain showed no signs of stopping. This prompted JP Tuason, the main man of Tuason Racing School, to move the schedule of Race 2 to the next round in October, out of concern for the drivers’ safety and the unfortunate delay of the day’s proceedings.

According to Tuason, a few adjustments have been made. Round 3’s Qualifying Time Trial will be held a day in advance on October 26. This will make room for the resumption of Round 2’s 2^nd race which will be held in the morning of October 27. Meanwhile, Round 3’s races will follow right after with DOUBLE POINTS to be award to the top winners. Tuason, on behalf of all the teams, drivers, and everyone, expects the weather to be of the most desired condition come the 3^rd round which will still take place at the Clark International Speedway.

The Inaugural GiTi Formula V1 Race Challenge is made possible by its sponsors; Giti Tires, Clean Fuel, ROTA, Motul, AEG Power Tools, West Racing Cars Japan, and Sapporo and La Crusset as Bar Sponsor.

Photos by Randolph de Leon