My First Race Trophies
Everything happens for a reason. I started out racing last year because of a special purpose, I believe that the Lord has brought me into racing, it is clear to me that He wants me to use racing as one of my ministries like Mr. Audel Sison who uses drifting as one of his ministries. Back in the late 1980's, I was 3 or 4 years old then, one of my dreams was to become a pilot, but that dream of becoming a pilot is actually the only way I can think of that time to achieve my bigger dream, the dream of owning a collection of cars and a dream to become a race car driver. My mom told me one time when I was a kid that all commercial pilots are rich, and one of the pilots I knew owned a Porsche 911. So, it has been instilled in my mind that the only way I can become a race car driver and own many cars is to become an Airline Pilot.
On to the next two decades, I received an invitation from a Cathay Pacific employee to apply as an apprentice pilot in the airline. I was so eager to apply then, I am ready to transfer to Hong Kong, but due to the requirement of having vast knowledge in physics, I backed out of the offer. I should have been making half a million pesos a month now, but I guess God didn't want me to become a pilot. All of my expectations to own lots of cars and to use the money that I should be earning as a pilot in building my own race car and becoming a race car driver who will master all 4 wheeled motorsports discipline remained a dream.
In November of 2011, my dad purchased a red Kia Rio JB for us siblings, but I was the one who uses it more often. We named it Mariah Charis. Mariah, for being swift as a wind, and Charis meaning a gift from God. When we got Mariah Charis, my life has changed. I became active in the car club scene again, thanks to Club Rio Philippines. I also had my first writing job when we got the Rio, Cool Fast Wheels of Penstalker Communications hired me to become one of its motoring writers. Cool Fast Wheels has opened an opportunity for me to become active in the motorsports scene. Because of one Sunday of covering the Philippine Autocross Championship Series, I found it possible for me to pursue my dream of becoming a race driver even if I am only driving a Kia Rio.
My first driving experience with Mariah in a race track was in July of 2012 when I brought her at the Batangas Racing Circuit, I even used the Kia Rio's stock 175 70 R14 tires that time. But my first race training came from the late Slalom driver Jeff Menguito of Team B (a.k.a. the Marikina Slalom Boys) and Old Schooler Auto Club in August 2012. He thought me how to handle Mariah Charis pretty well in a slalom / autocross course. Unfortunately, Jeff passed away two weeks after our training. Yet, since then, I started joining slalom and autocross competitions in my full stock suspension Kia Rio and also officially formed the Team Red Line Shifters with its main man Karlo Franco. The only upgrades I did to Mariah are, first I changed my tires from 175 70's to 185 60's, then changed my exhaust system to straight pipe and my stock paper intake filter into a Hurricane air filter, and added an HKS Grounding Kit. All other components are kept stock. I am also preserving the car's warranty.
The first Shell Helix National Slalom Series competition I joined was in October, 2012 at Robinson's Novaliches. I was running 2nd place in my class back then, but when all racers did their final runs, I ended up 4th in my class. I know that with my car's suspension set-up I will not be able to place a podium finish, so choosing the right class is very important for me to able to do a podium finish with my car's suspension. I also do that in Autocross, but my best placing was 4th.
In March 17, 2013, at the 3rd leg of the 2013 Shell Helix National Slalom Series, I entered two classes, the Open Class A and the Open Class C. I am going against highly modified Toyota Starlet KP60s in the classes I entered, but I am aware of it. I set a 20 - 25 seconds handicap to myself against the full race Toyota Starlets. My personal standard is, if I go beyond 25 seconds of the Starlets' time, I didn't do well in the race. My reason for joining the Open Class categories is not for winning trophies but for me to be able to gauge myself against the pros while I'm racing a full stock suspension 1.4 liter Kia Rio JB. Aside from the suspension handicap, my interior is also full of stuff giving me additional weight.
My first run was terrible, I was doing flat out at 2nd gear in the straight line of the track when I decided to enter the gate at full throttle, once I entered the gate I lost control of the car, losing me more than 10 seconds of the official time. My next two runs were just mediocre because I was trying to find my rhythm at the track, I was having a hard time to decide whether I will use 2nd gear or 1st gear every time I attack left and right handers, chicanes, hairpins and gates. Because of my runs that I am not satisfied with, I consulted my good friend Boodie Dabasol about my driving, he said to me just make sure I don't lose my momentum and just enjoy the race.
During my last run, that's the 2nd heat of my Open Class A run, I listened to Boodie, I was able to race at the track smoothly, swiftly and fast. I have improved my time in my last run though I hit a pylon, I was very satisfied and happy with my run. I approached my friends at G Motorworks after that. Boodie told me that I was able to execute the track at my best despite my car's suspension and weight handicap, but also advised me to lose some weight and modify Mariah's suspension as soon as I can. I was also able to finish within the 25 second handicap that I set against the Starlets.
I checked my placing after my run and I was very happy to find out that I will be taking home trophies. I am very happy that I placed 2nd at the Open Class C and 3rd at the Open Class A. After 11 races with Mariah (that includes slalom, autocross, track days, drag race and hill climb practices), at last I will be bringing home a trophy for my car and broke my 4th place jinx (though I don't believe in jinx, I just can't find the right words to describe it). I know in the first place that I need to put in serious money if I want to win in racing and my car's stock suspension will not be able to compete well in the future and in more serious competitions, but I am very happy that I don't need to become an airline pilot now so I can be able to join motorsports competitions. So dear readers, watch out as Pinoy Loves Wheels and Team Red Line Shifters (with the help of our race tuner friends) bring out two special race cars in the near future. One is a Scandinavian Front Wheel Drive powered by a monstrous Japanese engine and the other one is a Front Engine Rear Wheel Drive Old School Japanese Car. Let's go racing! Just stay tune to Pinoy Loves Wheels if you're interested in our race car projects.
HIGHLIGHTS: 3RD LEG of the 2013 SHELL HELIX NATIONAL SLALOM SERIES
The 3rd Leg of the 2013 Shell Helix National Slalom Series was a very interesting leg. Different cars came to the race that day with their drivers doing their bests in the track.
Mark Bernardo the Corona Guy from Ozawa JDM took his Gen 1 Honda CR-V to the slalom track (yes, an SUV at a Slalom Race) which he used to compete in the Novice Modified A category. All of us thought Mark was crazy, but seriously, he did well in the track using the CR-V. The Corona Guy was able to clock in his best time in the CR-V at 80 seconds. That time is pretty good for an AWD SUV. Mark showed us his good driving skills there. Mark is still going home with a trophy, but not in the CR-V, the Corona Guy Placed 2nd in the Newbies Class using his drift car, a Toyota Corolla DX.
Philippine Autocross class champion Mars Delos Reyes also placed first in the Group 2 A category. Mars had his first gen Toyota Vios body lightened to make it go faster. This is the first time that Mars won the 1st place in his Slalom career. Mars is a consistent winner at the Autocross. Now, Mars is also shining in Slalom.
My good friend Xyza Montaner also placed first in the Ladies Class. This is only Xyza's 2nd race but she already won two first place trophies since she started her Slalom career two weeks ago. She is one female race car driver that will scare Gaby Dela Merced and Pia Boren. Seriously. And Ms. Tintin David should watch out for Xyza once the latter joins the local drift competitions.
Another good friend, entrepreneur John Lazaga also placed first at the Novice Modified A class in his Toyota Corolla Liftback. He told me that it is "tsamba lang", but I refuse to believe that. John is truly improving his racing skills and can now control the Corolla.
Fellow internet motoring writer Jahan Kalam of Kuhol.net had a bad day with his Hyundai Elantra because of its axle that broke. But still had a good time as Franco San Andress and Dax Fernandez generously lent their cars to Jahan so that the latter can finish his runs. Jahan placed 3rd at the Group 5B category. I am impressed with how Franco, Jahan, Dax and another friend Christian Farinas help out each other in the track. These boys are showing us what racing brotherhood is all about. Christian Farinas placed 3rd in the Open Unlimited A class. Dax placed 2nd at the Open Unlimited B class.
Father and Son tandem Patrick and Polo Bautista also placed good in their respective classes that day. Patrick took home the Front Wheel Production Best Time and placed 1st at the Front Wheel Modified Class. Meanwhile, Patrick's 14 year old son Polo, will be taking home the Junior class trophy.
Nike, who drives a Hyundai Veloster took his precious multi-million peso machine to the slalom track. (I can't figure out his real name in the list) Nike showed us that Korean car nowadays has a place in the Philippine Motorsports Scene. I am happy that there are people who believe that Kia and Hyundai has a place in the local motorsports scene. There are three Hyundais and one Kia who raced that day. Two Hyundai Elantras, one Hyundai Veloster and my Kia Rio Mariah. We are not just three, we are now four!
Another notable driver is Paul Santos in a Subaru Impreza WRX STi GD8, despite the handicap that All Wheel Drives have in Slalom, Paul being supervised by Doc Peewee Mendiola was able to win 1st place at the Newbies class. Paul was able to manage his AWD pretty well and used the power of his Impreza to win.
The Over-all best time of the day was given to Doc Peewee Mendiola of Team Big Chill who clocked in at 56.64 seconds in his Toyota Starlet KP60 followed by Milo Rivera who was the 2nd fastest. Jon Sarmiento went home with the Novice best time of the day. Doc Peewee also wins the Rear Wheel Production best time.
(Results Taken from the Facebook Page of Race Motorsports Club)
2013 RACE MOTORSPORTS CLUB
2013 RACE MOTORSPORTS CLUB
3RD LEG - SHELL HELIX NATIONAL SLALOM SERIES
MARCH 17, 2013 @ ROBINSONS NOVA MARKET
NOVICE BEST TIME OF THE DAY – JON SARMIENTO
FRONT WHEEL PRODUCTION BEST TIME – PATRICK BAUTISTA
REAR WHEEL PRODUCTION BEST TIME - DR. PEEWEE MENDIOLA
OVERALL BEST TIME OF THE DAY – DR. PEEWEE MENDIOLA 56.64
2ND FASTEST MILO RIVERA 56.70
3RD FASTEST NOEL RIVERA 56.72
4TH FASTEST PEQUE ALACBAY 57.60
5TH FASTEST JOJO CAMACHO 58.42
6TH FASTEST PATHRICK BAUTISTA 58.66
Official Results:
Novice Stock:
1st Alex Santos 65.94
2nd Xyza Montaner 70.60
3rd Mike Guinto 72.76
4th Mark Jerrold Lee 90.92
Novice Modified A:
1st John Lazaga 63.28
2nd Franco San Andres 66.52
3rd King Asuncion 68.02
4th Mark Bernardo 80.20
Novice Modified B:
1st Jon Sarmiento 59.72
2nd Mike San Miguel 60.02
3rd Abet Reyes 61.04
4th Mars Delos Reyes 63.46
5th John Urtola 66.24
6th Mark Bernardo 67.10
7th Mark Carino 68.38
Novice Modified C:
1st Mike San Miguel 59.44
2nd Jon Sarmiento 59.44
3rd Abet Reyes 62.20
4th Mars delos Reyes 64.50
5th Rommel Biag 65.92
6th Mark Carino 70.24
Pro Stock A:
1st Dr. Peewee Mendiola 56.64
2nd Milo Rivera 57.10
3rd Noel Rivera 57.42
Pro Stock B:
1st Noel Rivera 56.74
2nd Dr. Peewee Mendiola 57.12
3rd Milo Rivera 59.52
Pro Stock C:
1st Dr. Peewee Mendiola 56.52
2nd Erney Moreno 62.78
Group 2A:
1st Mars Delos Reyes 64.48
2nd Neil Goco 65.00
3rd Walter Zamora 65.18
4th Manny Salanguit 67.34
Group 2B:
1st Alex Bautista 60.82
2nd John Urtola 62.00
3rd Mars Delos Reyes 64.44
4th Polo Bautista 64.82
5th Kar Montaner 66.12
6th Walter Zamora 91.36
PRO - A:
1st Dr. Peewee Mendiola 56.44
2nd Milo Rivera 56.72
PRO – B:
1st Milo Rivera 56.70
2nd Joma Montaner 62.96
PRO – C:
1st Joma Montaner 61.72
2nd Manny Salanguit 69.74
Group 5A:
1st Peque Alacbay 57.74
2nd Jon Sarmiento 58.76
3rd Abet Reyes 61.68
4th Walter Zamora 65.74
Group 5B:
1st Peque Alacbay 57.60
2nd Jon Sarmiento 59.48
3rd Jahan Kalam 60.36
4th Abet Reyes 60.60
5th Erney Moreno 63.06
Front Wheel Carburated Novice:
1st King Asuncion 70.04
2nd Gilbert Bumatay 72.80
Front Wheel Carburated:
1st Cyril Tablan 68.08
2nd Jay Celis 68.48
3rd Gilbert Bumatay 74.06
4th Alex Santos 74.48
Front Wheel Injected Novice:
1st Alex Bautista 60.70
2nd Paul Santos 64.32
3rd Garry Singson 64.58
4th Mars Delos Reyes 64.64
5th Mark Ramos 66.86
6th Dale Vicencio 71.24
Front Wheel Injected:
1st Mike San Miguel 61.84
2nd Paul Santos 62.46
3rd Mars Delos Reyes 64.20
4th Walter Zamora 65.00
5th Harold Vicencio 70.62
Front Wheel Modified Novice:
1st Jon Sarmiento 59.36
2nd Alex Bautista 60.34
3rd Mike San Miguel 61.92
4th Jahan Kalam 61.94
5th Paul Santos 63.22
6th Mars Delos Reyes 63.92
7th Garry Singson 64.32
8th Martin Sanchez 65.02
Front Wheel Modified:
1st Patrick Bautista 58.66
2nd Pompy Yambao 60.86
3rd Jon Sarmiento 62.64
4th Walter Zamora 64.12
5th Mars delos Reyes 64.18
6th Donby Bumatay 64.22
7th JR Costales 64.62
8th Mike San Miguel 69.20
Front Wheel PRO Stock A
1st Alex Bautista 59.96
2nd Pompy Yambao 61.50
3rd Ryan Ablang 62.80
4th Walter Zamora 63.02
5th Mike Simbulan 65.98
Front Wheel PRO Stock B:
1st Patrick Bautista 58.80
2nd Pompy Yambao 61.84
3rd JR Costales 61.86
4th Donby Bumatay 62.18
5th Mike Simbulan 65.06
Front Wheel PRO Stock C:
1st Pathrick Bautista 58.94
2nd Jevoy Moreno 60.34
3rd Pompy Yambao 60.98
4th Martin Sanchez 63.98
Newbies Class:
1st Paul Santos 63.88
2nd Mark Bernardo 65.16
3rd Rommel Biag 65.22
4th John Lazaga 66.98
5th Mark Munoz 67.48
6th Mark Carino 68.92
7th Alex Santos 73.14
Ladies Class:
1st Xyza Montaner 71.82
2nd Jennifer Moreno 76.18
Open A:
1st Peque Alacbay 57.22
2nd Jojo Camacho 58.42
3rd Angelo Sison 79.28
Open B;
1st Peque Alacbay 57.40
2nd Jojo Camacho 60.48
3rd Joma Montaner 62.60
4th Mike San Miguel 63.60
Open C:
1st Peque Alacbay 58.32
2nd Angelo Sison 78.34
Clubman Class:
1st John Urtola 62.20
2nd Manny Salanguit 67.30
3rd Mark Munoz 69.46
4th Dhax Fernandez 69.58
5th Joel Tapel 85.24
Open Unlimited A Class:
1st Walter Zamora 66.02
2nd Louie Camacho 67.44
3rd Christian Farinas 72.76
4th Lucky Alcantara 76.64
Open Unlimited B Class:
1st Louie Camacho 65.60
2nd Dhax Fernandez 69.84
Junior Class:
1st Polo Bautista 67.76
(Photos Are Exclusively Owned by Pinoy Loves Wheels except for the Kia Rio in the Track, those photos are from the Race Motorsports Club)
1st Polo Bautista 67.76
(Photos Are Exclusively Owned by Pinoy Loves Wheels except for the Kia Rio in the Track, those photos are from the Race Motorsports Club)
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