17-year-old Gabby Matias entered the 1NZ Cup season finale with a dual mission: make his racing debut and put Pertua’s DuraSyn-powered engine oils and treatment chemicals to the test. Racing under the Pertua Racing Team, he delivered a real-world demonstration of their technology’s performance under pressure, finishing 5th in the two-hour endurance race at Clark International Speedway (CIS).
Driving a green-and-red-liveried Toyota Vios Cup Gen 1 OMR, Gabby trained extensively under Precision Speed Racing in preparation for this event. All those learnings were put to the test during Qualifying on Saturday, where every driver was limited to just one dry flying lap after rain drenched the rest of the session. He maximized the opportunity, clocking a 2:37.685—good enough for P4 in class on his first official run in a race car.
Gabby lined up for Sunday’s two-hour endurance race determined to complete the full distance himself. A stall at the start dropped him several positions, but he quickly regained composure and focused on settling into a consistent rhythm. As the laps went by, his confidence grew and his pace steadily improved, bringing his lap times down into the low 2:31s—quick enough to climb back up the order and run as high as P3 in class before making his scheduled pit stop a little past the one-hour mark.
The car ran on Pertua’s Fully Synthetic Oil and Pertua Oil & Metal Treatment (POMT), giving the team valuable real-world data under continuous race conditions. Over the entire race distance, the engine had to endure heat, high RPM, and sustained load—making it an ideal test environment for the anti-friction and heat-management qualities of Pertua’s DuraSyn-powered formulation.
The physical demands of endurance racing, however, soon caught up with the young rookie. With this being his first competitive outing, the long stint eventually left Gabby feeling nauseous, forcing him to spend an additional 20 minutes in the pit lane to recover. He returned to the track with roughly 20 minutes remaining, determined to finish the race.
Despite the setback, Gabby pushed on and completed 40 laps, setting a personal best of 2:30.391. He crossed the line in 5th place in the 1NZ class—an encouraging result for a first-time driver tackling a full two-hour endurance event. Just as importantly, he finished without any car damage, closing out a successful debut both for himself and for Pertua’s first official entry into four-wheeled motorsport.
The weekend was an equally important milestone for Pertua. With 37 years of engineering oils, treatments, and industrial lubricants built on its DuraSyn Technology, the company had the opportunity to demonstrate Filipino ingenuity in a genuine racing environment—showing what locally developed lubrication technology can do when pushed to the limit.
Gabby Matias: “My first race will always be unforgettable. The experience taught me a lot about myself—my strengths, my limits, and how much I really love racing. I want to thank Pertua for their support and giving me world-class technology oil that helped the car perform at its best. The engine was smooth, responsive, and reliable the whole time—especially during those laps when I had to push harder. Thank you as well to Coach Bjorn, our mechanics, kuya Jun, and the whole Precision Speed Racing team for taking care of me throughout the event. I wouldn’t have survived the full 2 hours without your support.”
Kristine Simon, Pertua Marketing Strategy and Communications Manager: “Gabby showed exceptional determination during the race. At just 17, completing a two-hour endurance stint on his own is no small feat—it takes focus, discipline, and mental strength beyond his age. This is why he represents the Gen Z spirit we see in Pertua. Gen Z responds to authenticity and real effort, and Gabby embodies that drive.
His journey reflects what Pertua stands for: performance under pressure, consistency, and the pursuit of excellence. Supporting a young Filipino racer allows us to demonstrate what Filipino-developed technology can do on the track while inspiring the next generation to pursue motorsport with passion and purpose.”
