RSA Motors BMW inks deal with Eduardo Coseteng for ADAC GT Masters 2023

tamadmintest
-
0
RSA Motors BMW inks deal with Eduardo Coseteng for ADAC GT Masters 2023

RSA Motors, the official distributor of BMW in the Philippines, is getting itself involved in international motorsports this 2023. The company has recently inked a partnership with Eduardo Coseteng to support the Filipino driver on his ADAC GT Masters campaign.

The 19-year-old began his motorsport career at a young age through karting. His talent and passion took him to race wins and championship titles be it local or abroad, notably for his victory at the ’19 Macau Karting GP and ’17 IAME Series Asia vice championship. Eduardo then switched to single seaters in 2021, entering the British F4 Championship in ’21 with Argenti Motorsport before jumping to Hitech GP in ’22 where he picked a win last October.

Driving for Schubert Motorsport, he is set to join the ADAC GT Masters’ pre-season test Hockenheimring in Germany ahead of the season opener in June, held at the same venue. Eduardo will be driving a BMW M4 GT3 in all 6 events of 2023 shared with last year’s Pirelli Junior class champion Ben Green.

“The timing of Eduardo Coseteng’s collaboration with RSA Motors couldn’t have been more perfect, as more Filipinos are developing a strong interest in motorsports. BMW is delighted to foster the passion for this thrilling sport and help grow its fan base,” says RSA Motors General Manager Simeon Policarpio.

The GT3 variant is rooted in the most recent iteration of BMW M4, illustrating how BMW M GmbH synchronizes road car and race car advancements. The GT3 race car inherits recognizable features and design from the M4 production model, which are optimized to enhance performance and efficiency. The M4 GT3’s combination of reliability, cost efficiency, and ease of maintenance, along with its exceptional attributes, can aid Coseteng in winning races during the upcoming season.

Daryl DeLeon 2nd overall in BEC Brands Hatch after late 911 GT3 car swap

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Daryl DeLeon 2nd overall in BEC Brands Hatch after late 911 GT3 car swap

Heading to the second event of the British Endurance Championship (BEC) at Brands Hatch, Daryl DeLeon Taylor was supposed to be driving the #34 Audi S3 BTCC touring car of Team HARD Racing. But that plan quickly changed on Friday night. He was given an opportunity of a lifetime to fill in an empty seat in the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car. And his way of showing his gratitude is by putting the #28 entry (and its owner Brad Thurston) on the overall podium with a class win in tow.

Team HARD Racing was left scratching their heads late Friday evening as the supposed co-driver of their GT3 car couldn’t make it to the track. That’s when the team thought that it would be a good idea to give Daryl a go.

“Turning up to race day having not ever driven a GT car before, I didn’t know what to expect. I was so exited to have my first outing in a GT car and was even more exited about it being a Porsche GT3,” he shared.

The Filipino-British driver turned his first laps in the black-and-green liveried Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car during Free Practice on Saturday morning. Daryl’s lack of experience in sports cars, however, didn’t really show in the time sheets. As a matter of fact, he ended the 20-minute session 4th overall and 1st amongst the Class C entries around the 1.944 km Brands Hatch Indy course.

Brad Thurston then took over for Qualifying and come Sunday, would start the 2 hour race from the 4th row of the grid. A clean getaway allowed him to gain several places and rub elbows with the heavyweights at the front. He managed to hold position and maintain P3 in Class C during his 30-minute stint before handing the car over to Daryl.

With zero racing experience in a Porsche 911 GT3, the 17-year-old made the most out of his 60-minute stint to familiarize himself with the new machinery. It was also a real test of skill and endurance as he fought for position and even managed take the race lead.

Brad had the privilege to drive the closing stages of the race onto a spot on the podium. But with only 15 minutes to go, the #28 car suffered a rear suspension failure that affected its handling and lost them time. Luckily, it was not terminal and they had a big enough gap to hold on to 2nd place overall when the chequered flag dropped and take 1st in C Class.

The British Endurance Championship (BEC) resumes on the 27th of May for the 3 Hours of Oulton Park. It will be confirmed which entry Daryl will be driving with Team HARD Racing at later date.

Daryl DeLeon Taylor: “Overall, I’m incredibly proud of my performance at the British Endurance Championship. It was an unforgettable experience, and one that I’ll cherish for years to come. Driving a Porsche 911 GT3 around Brands Hatch is something that few people get to do and I would just like to thank everyone who made it possible. Bradley, Dave, Matt, and all involved at Team HARD Racing.”

Brad Thurston: “Absolutely over the moon with the result and I think it was fully deserved. Racing with Daryl was brilliant. He picked up the car very quickly considering he only drove it Saturday morning in Free Practice. I’d like to say thank you to Matt, our race engineer, who got the strategy perfect. Our #1 mechanic Alex who worked non-stop all weekend and the guys at Team HARD Racing for the faultless pit stops. It’s nice to reward the guys at Grace Engine Developments, Berkshire Bodyshop, and the team with a class win and an overall podium.”

Daryl DeLeon Taylor is supported by Train Maintenance Services (TMS).

For news and updates, Like the Daryl DeLeon Racing page on Facebook, follow @daryldeleon on Instagram, or visit daryltaylorracing.com.

Vincent Floirendo picks up TSS podium at scorching season opener at Buriram

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Vincent Floirendo picks up TSS podium at scorching season opener at Buriram

The threat from the Pro Class entries were the least of Vincent Floirendo’s problems when the 2023 TSS The Super Series got underway in April. With track temperatures reaching 54 deg. C coupled with Thailand’s high humidity, it quickly became a fight for survival rather than a fight to the finish. Despite the poor conditions, he and co-driver Markus Winkelhock were able to overcome the heat and land a much-deserved spot on the podium.

The Filipino driver’s best efforts put them P7 in QTT1. Markus, on the other hand, utilized all his years of experience in sports car racing to put the #55 EN Sport by Absolute Audi R8 LMS GT3 in P2 during QTT2, missing pole by only 0.235 secs.

A fourth row start, however, was of little concern for the Pro-Am duo as they had a solid strategy for Race 1. Vincent managed a clean getaway for the first 1-hour race of the weekend and gained a spot in the opening stages. He would drive a solid stint to keep their rivals within reach before handing the car over to Markus once the pit window opened for a driver change. It then became a sprint to the chequered flag with the German ace powering his way through the field and into a 3rd place finish, while setting the fastest lap of the race in the process around the Chang International Circuit.

Converting a front row start into a win proved to be more difficult in Race 2 than they thought. The plan was for Markus to take the lead, open up a big enough gap in front, allowing Vincent to rejoin still in P1, and maintain it to the finish line. Markus did exactly as told and was in control of the race by lap 9. What they didn’t anticipate was a Lexus RCF GT3 stalling in the middle of the track, which brought out the Safety Car. This bunched up the entire field and wiped out all their advantage.

Vincent he had to stick his elbows out as soon as he got into the driver’s seat, fighting door-to-door for position. Racing in those conditions, however, was not easy. The temperatures were not only punishing for the driver in the car, but also for the slick tires that began to melt on the boiling asphalt and provided no grip. He had to wring every ounce of performance from their Audi R8 LMS GT3 to make it to the flag in 4th.

After an exciting season opener in Buriram, the TSS The Super Series is heading to one of the most exciting races in the 2023 calendar. The championship will be part of the iconic Bangsaen Street Circuit on the 27th of June to 2nd of July, home of the Bangsaen Grand Prix.

Vincent Floirendo: “I’ve never raced in conditions this hot. Fortunately had a cool suit on, air conditioning, and a water system for me to rehydrate in the car. It was definitely a challenging first race of the year, but glad we finished 3rd and 4th earning good points for the championship. Now looking forward to the Bangsaen GP street race in June.

[Photos by Matt Romualdez]

The interesting circumstances behind Axel Nocom’s 3rd MiniRok trophy from AAP

Time Attack Manila
-
0
The interesting circumstances behind Axel Nocom’s 3rd MiniRok trophy from AAP

If we tell the story as is, this would simply be about Axel Nocom winning a 3rd consecutive MiniRok title at the 27th AAP Annual Motorsports Awards. As impressive as that sounds, there’s quite a number of details that trophies do not tell. Because this is not your typical tale of ‘practice makes perfect’ or ‘a student is only as good as his teacher’ sort of thing.

Axel’s case is actually quite the opposite.

For starters, despite not missing a single race since 2019, would you believe that this 11-year-old has not participated in any track practice sessions in the last 2 years. For reasons such as pandemic restrictions, school schedules, or simply due to clashing family activities, Axel has only been able to show up on track during the race weekend itself.

To make up for lost ground, he spends A LOT of time in the sim. He also competes in both local and international events against some of the best drivers in the world, which helps him sharpen his race craft. And he’s able to do it at any time of day, unaffected by weather conditions, and at a fraction of the cost as compared to driving in real life.

Though shocking to most, Axel also doesn’t really have a ‘coach’ in the traditional sense. He simply learns by himself, testing different lines and using different techniques, to improve on his times. What’s important though is that he stays true to the fundamentals of driving and understands what he’s doing right and what he’s doing wrong.

This is where WSK international tuner Richard Peek comes into play. Axel learned early on how to give proper feedback to Richard who then sets up his kart as needed. In return, he also knows how to listen to the subtle inputs from the team’s tuner and apply accordingly.

All these allow the Mercedes Young Driver Development Philippines karter to adapt to any race situation, condition, and track layout in as little time as possible and perform at the top level straightaway, be it at the Carmona Race Track in Cavite or KF1 Karting Circuit in Singapore.

But what really makes Axel’s circumstance special is that he’s not pressured to win at all. His father Mike simply sees the sport as a pastime and puts more emphasis on having fun. This frees up Axel’s mind to simply enjoy what he loves doing.

During the 27th AAP Annual Motorsports Awards, Axel would take home 2 accolades for his achievements in 2022 for being the MiniRok Champion in the Rok GP National Karting Series and National Karting Series.

Axel Nocom is supported by Mercedes Young Driver Academy Philippines, Motul Infiniteserv International, Alpinestars, Alaska Milk Corporation, Recaro Philippines, DENSO, and Skratch Energy Bar.

For more info and the latest updates, follow the Axel Motorsports page on Facebook.

[Photo by Jerald Valdez and Bong Boado]

Eduardo Coseteng to race BMW M4 in ADAC GT Masters with Schubert Motorsport

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Eduardo Coseteng to race BMW M4 in ADAC GT Masters with Schubert Motorsport

Schubert Motorsport has confirmed that it’s entering a BMW M4 GT3 in the ADAC GT Masters this 2023 with 2 young driver pairings. The first is last year’s Pirelli Junior class champion Ben Green who is then being joined by Eduardo Coseteng from the Philippines.

Eduardo spent the last 2 seasons in the British F4 Championship where he achieved 2 podiums, 1 pole position, and 2 fastest race laps on his rookie year. He then celebrated his first race victory at the finale in Brands Hatch last October. Switching from single seaters, his first outing in sports car racing came in December where he made his debut at the Gulf 12 Hours at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The Filipino driver and his teammates would finish 6th in the Pro-Am division with a BMW M4 GT3.

The 19-year-old will now be racing full-time in the ADAC GT Masters and contest in all 6 events.

His teammate is British driver Ben Green who is returning with Schubert Motorsport after a successful 2022 season. With 8 years of experience in touring and sports cars, Ben has found successes in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup, British GT Championship, DTM Trophy, and most recently in the ADAC GT Masters. He will be looking to defend his title in the division for drives up to 25 years of age as he shared the #20 BMW M4 GT3 with Eduardo.

The BMW M Motorsport Team from Oschersleben is scheduled to join the pre-season test this week at Hockenheimring ahead of the opening event on June 9/11 held at the same track. The championship then heads to the Norisring street circuit in July, which will be the series’ first visit to the venue in 15 years. Succeeding races will take place on the Nürburgring Sprint Circuit, Sachsenring, Red Bull Ring, and Hockenheimring ’til October.

Each race weekend traditionally consists of 2x 60-minute races which includes a pitstop window and driver change.

Since the series debut in 2010, Schubert Motorsport has developed into one of the most successful teams in the ADAC GT Masters with 13 victories. Team founder Torsten Schubert would like to build on this success with a promising young driver pairing in the coming season.

Eduardo Coseteng: “Moving to the ADAC GT Masters is an important step in my career. It is one of the most competitive championships in GT racing and gives me the opportunity to compete at a high level and to gain experience in sports cars. My goal is to learn as much as possible and to continuously improve over the course of the season. Schubert Motorsport is the perfect team for this challenge. The organization works at the highest level and the successes and long history speak for themselves. With this crew and the BMW M4 GT3 we have a strong package and I’m looking forward to working together.”

Marcel Schmidt, Team Manager: “He knows the team and as a young driver with great potential, Eduardo will certainly benefit from it. It’s obviously an apprenticeship for him, but his performance in Formula 4 has been impressive and we’re expecting a steep form curve.”

Eduardo Coseteng is supported by RSA Motors Libis, Petron Corporation, and Autoplus Sports.

Zach David starts Italian F4 season with podiums at Imola

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Zach David starts Italian F4 season with podiums at Imola

Coming off a successful campaign in F4 UAE, Zachary ‘Zach’ David was back fighting at the front as soon as the 2023 Italian F4 Championship got underway over the weekend. The 15-year-old was up against a massive 38-car entry list, yet consistently finished on the podium at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, or better known as Imola.

Now reunited with US Racing, the Filipino driver underwent a rigorous physical and mental training regimen leading up to the season opener. He also joined several pre-season tests and made a one-off outing in the Formula Winter Series at Catalunya where he won both races outright, all done in preparation for the full 7-round championship. As intended, their efforts paid off early on with Zach landing in the Top 3 spots during Free Practice.

But nothing is ever easy with such a big grid. Zach was able to set a 1:44.228 lap around the historic 4.909 km circuit during Qualifying and was only 0.104 secs off pole. However, it was only good enough for P4 showing just how tight the competition is.

Zach managed to get a clean start in Race 1 and immediately defended his position. He came under intense attack over the course of several laps and dropped down to P8. Then an opportunity opened up during the closing stages of the race. On the sprint towards the chequered flag, the cars in front of Zach collided allowing him to slip through and take 6th place across the line and rank 3rd in the Rookie class.

His best result of the weekend came during Race 2. A quick getaway gained him a spot and was up to P4 by the end of the first lap. He then hounded the cars in front to look for a way past into a podium position. After a brief Safety Car period, Zach finally got his chance to make a pass to claim 3rd place overall and 2nd amongst the Rookies.

The final race proved to be the most action-packed of all. With 31 cars sharing the track, the chaotic opening stages saw Zach start from P5, drop down to P8, then up again to P6, while successfully avoiding all the carnage around him. The 2 very long Safety Car periods would then condense all the excitement into a 1-lap sprint to the finish line. Zach was just at the right place at the right time as the cars ahead of him made contact, allowing him to shoot up to 5th place when the chequered flag dropped and secure another 3rd in class.

A strong start to the season puts Zach 5th in the overall Drivers’ Standings and 3rd in the Rookies’ Championship. He hopes to improve on this further as the Italian F4 Championship moves to the Misano Circuit on the 6th/7th of May.

Zach David: “Finishing on the podium in all the races was good, especially to make it to the overall podium as a rookie. But the grid this year is quite tough. Some are already on their second season with plenty of experienced and strong drivers, which means no room for error. The goal for the next round at Misano is still the same, to score consistently for the championship.”

Zach David is sponsored by Ceramic Pro, Ceramic Pro Express, Kavaca PPF, Stilo Helmets, Eeetwell, Attard Baldacchino, and Exoshield, with support from Petron Corporation, Ravenol, JG Summit Olefins Corporation, AlbertSmith Signs, Time Attack Manila, Everpower, FB Hout, Pet One Petfood, 3CX, and Malta Motorsports Federation.

For more info and the latest updates, follow ZachdavidRacing on Facebook and @zachdavidracing on Instagram.

Last minute car swap allows Obengers Racing Nitto Tires to capture 4 Hour podium

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Last minute car swap allows Obengers Racing Nitto Tires to capture 4 Hour podium

The trio of Pao Agregado, Joaquin ‘Wakkeen’ Garrido, and Thomas Raldorf had a less than ideal 2023 Makabayan Cup Endurance Challenge held in the middle of April. Forced to switch to the team’s spare car due to mechanical gremlins, they then suffered an early DNF in the 2 Hour race with a broken transmission. But through sheer determination, Obengers Racing Nitto Tires were able to complete repairs in time for the 4 Hour race and redeem themselves with a well-deserved class podium.

The team had originally planned to run their current-gen red-liveried #23 Toyota Vios touring car for the weekend. However, poor weather conditions at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) and teething issues throughout practice prevented them from finding its peak performance. That was when Obengers Racing Nitto Tires collectively made the though decision to run the older, yet more familiar Gen. 1 Toyota Vios OMR on raceday.

Nitto’s NT05 max performance tire provided substantial grip not only in the dry, but also in the wet. It proved effective in Qualifying and allowed their #23 machine to start from P15 on the grid and 3rd amongst the C3 runners.

The new tire compound was also put to good use during the 2 Hour Endurance on Sunday morning. Despite the mixed conditions, Obengers Racing Nitto Tires was able to jump to an early class lead. But after making such a good start, their charge came to an abrupt end when their Toyota Vios OMR suffered a terminal transmission problem cutting their race short after only 3 laps.

After recovering their car from the track, the mechanics immediately got to work to replace the broken transmission. It was all hands on deck to get the #23 car back on its wheels and make it in time for the 4 Hour race in the afternoon, which it thankfully did.

Lights went out at 1 o’clock in the afternoon with the team’s youngest driver Wakkeen behind the wheel. The 17-year-old again put Obengers Racing Nitto Tires in the class lead and maintained it throughout his 1.5 hour entire stint. He then handed the car over to Team Manager Pao Agregado for the first driver change, but would incur a hefty penalty due to a pitstop error.

While this dropped them 2 laps down from the class leader, Pao kept his head down and clawed back lost track position to get them back up to P3 in class. Next up was Raldorf who was begging to drive in the rain. He eventually got his wish during his stint as he danced around the soaked 3.500 km circuit on Nitto NT555 G2 tires. Although the race was momentarily red flagged when the rain worsened, the Danish driver was able to safely take the car home when action resumed and finish 3rd in the C3 Category for Obengers Racing Nitto Tires.

The team now shifts its focus to the 12 Hour Kalayaan Cup at the Clark International Speedway in June. More development work will be needed as they return to their current-gen Toyota Vios touring car intended for the season.

Pao Agregado, Team Manager: “There will be a lot of time needed to development the car in time for the race in June. It will be a tough fight for the championship with our results, but anything can still happen as we focus on each race one at a time. But the team is good. We have the support needed and the right platform. I’m happy with 3rd place this race weekend and I know we can do better in the next race.”

Obengers Racing Nitto Tires is supported by Nitto Tires Philippines, Motul Philippines – Infiniteserv Int’l, Dynopro Philippines, and Toyota Balintawak Inc.

For more info and the latest updates, follow the Obengers Racing page on Facebook.

Father-and-son racing duo Jun and Rafa Careres takes on the Thailand Super Series

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Father-and-son racing duo Jun and Rafa Careres takes on the Thailand Super Series

It’s always a special moment whenever a father and his son are able to share their passion for motorsport. Espeically if they’re able to enjoy it by racing on the same grid. This is the case with Manasseh ‘Jun’ Manuel Caceres and his son Manuel Rafael ‘Rafa’ Caceres who are competing in the TSS The Super Series by B-Quik (formerly known as the Thailand Super Series) this 2023.

Jun always had a love for the sport. He got into drifting about a decade ago was an avid competitor up until the pandemic put everything on hold. That’s when focus shifted to his son who then got into sim racing while the entire world grounded to a halt. Rafa spent an entire year playing GT Sport on the PlayStation where he would hone his skill. And by the time restrictions started to loosen up, he was already itching to get into the real thing.

Karting was the obvious choice and fittingly, an opportunity to race in the national series opened up in late 2021. Rafa would compete full-time in 2022 entering both the local Rotax Max and Rok GP championships. With a series of strong results, he was aiming for a Top 3 finish in the Senior Class championship on his rookie year. That was until an injury sidelined him for half of the season.

While the younger Caceres hasn’t given up on karting just yet, the family’s focus now shifts to TSS in 2023. What’s more interesting is that the father-and-son duo from the Philippines are racing on separate machinery in the Super Car GTC category.

Under the team C&C Motorsports by KS Racing, Jun is running a 3.0L inline-6 2JZ-powered Toyota Supra Mk 4. His son Rafa, on the other hand, is piloting a Nissan GT-R R35 throughout the 2023 championship and both are set to make their track debut during the season opener this April 22/23 at the Chang International Circuit.

The weekend consists of Qualifying on Friday, a 12-lap Race on Saturday, followed by a much longer 1-hour Race on Sunday. Their competition may be a mishmash of GT4 and TA2 machinery, but are surprisingly closely-matched in terms of performance. They’ll then follow the entire 2023 calendar and enter all 6 events including the Bangsaen Grand Prix, Sepang International Circuit, and Singapore Grand Prix invitational.

TSS The Super Series by B-Quik 2023 Race Calendar Round 1 | April 20-23 (Chang International Circuit) Round 2 | May 25-28 (Chang International Circuit) Round 3 | June 27-July 2 (Bangsaen Grand Prix) Round 4 | August 25-27 (Sepang International Circuit) Invitational | September 15-17 (Singapore Grand Prix) Round 5 | December 14-17 (Chang International Circuit)

This, however, won’t be their first outing around the Chang International Circuit. Jun and Rafa both got a lot of seat time when they entered the Idemitsu 25 Hour Super Endurance Race last December. Driving the KS Racing Honda CR-Z, they each spent about 5 hours behind the wheel and finished 40th overall out of 64 starters. The father-and-son pairing were also able to stretch the legs of their Toyota Supra Mk 4 and Nissan GT-R R35 around the 4.554 km circuit during the official Hankook Test Day last month.

Rafa Caceres: “To represent my country internationally is a true gift from God. I am excited for the challenges that lie ahead and I hope that I encourage my fellow Filipinos to join me here and compete in the best racing series in Southeast Asia.

Jun Caceres: “I thank God for the gift of racing. All glory and honor for Him. In our race here in the Thailand Super Series, we hope we encourage more Filipinos to race overseas so that we can gauge and improve our potential to be the best internationally. I would also like to thank Narin for helping us to be able to compete at the level of TSS. I am looking forward to racing in the coming races in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.”

Jun and Rafa Caceres are supported by by C&C Motorsports, KS Racing, Lucas Oils, Bonum Timing Belts, Mosos Performance Brake Pads, Cusco Thailand, and Ladybelle Spa.

Access Plus Racing aiming for PSBK hat-trick with new Ducati Panigale V4

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Access Plus Racing aiming for PSBK hat-trick with new Ducati Panigale V4

The most dominant team in recent Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) history is aiming to score a hat-trick in 2023. Access Plus Racing has confirmed Timothy Joseph “TJ” Alberto and Lawrence Macalinao for the upcoming season with a new weapon, the lighter, smarter, and faster 2023-spec Ducati Panigale V4 R and V4 S.

TJ will be chasing after a 3rd consecutive Overall and Expert Class PSBK title. His new #77 Panigale V4 R is the closest ever production model to a competition WorldSBK bike. The most prominent change is the new 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R that, when fitted with an Akrapovič exhaust and use a new performance lubricant developed by Shell Advance Motor Oils, delivers a maximum 240.5 horsepower.

Revised gear ratios, a new dry clutch, and an updated engine brake likewise aid its usability on track. There are also new suspension components and aerodynamic package that allows the 2023-spec Panigale V4 R to take on corners with even greater confidence.

Rejoining the team is Lawrence Macalinao who has been called up again after an impressive debut season in 2022. He claimed 5 wins and 6 podium finishes in total to end up 2nd in the Intermediate Class championship. This year, he will also get a brand new #26 Ducati Panigale V4 S for his class title bid.

Philippine Superbike Championship 2023 Calendar Round 1 | May 6-7 (Batangas Racing Circuit) Round 2 | June 3-4 (Batangas Racing Circuit) Round 3 | July 1-2 (Clark International Speedway) Round 4 | August 5-6 (Clark International Speedway) Round 5 | September 2-3 (Batangas Racing Circuit) Round 6 | October 14-15 (Clark International Speedway)

The 6-round calendar kicks off on the 6th of May at the Batangas Racing Circuit. It will then shuffle to-and-from the Clark International Speedway ’til the season finale on the 14th of October 2023.

TJ Alberto, #77: “Like last year, the goal is to defend the title and win it for a third year in a row. We’re also looking forward to racing the new 2023 Panigale V4 R and make the most out of the upgrades from Ducati. Access Plus Racing has some new partners this year and I’m excited to show them what the team is all about and make them proud. Our focus is always to improve on our own performance, chase after race wins, and hopefully get another great year in 2023.”

Lawrence Macalinao, #26: “I’m grateful for this opportunity to race again with Access Plus Racing. We enjoyed good results last year and I believe that we can improve on them even further in 2023. My goal is to improve my performance and deliver strong results enough to capture the Intermediate Class title. It’s also my personal goal to get close to the Expert Class riders and match their pace. Really thankful to the people behind Access Plus Racing, Ducati Philippines, and the Alberto family.”

Toti Alberto: “It’s going to be a very exciting season in PSBK. We’re going for a hat-trick in the Overall and Expert Class championship with TJ and aiming to claim the Intermediate Class title with Lawrence. The team is also happy to get our hands on the latest 2023-spec Panigale V4 R and V4 S, which will greatly boost our performance on track. The formula we’ve been using in the last few years has been successful and we’ll just build upon on that. Thanking God for making all of this possible and hope to have. another great year in 2023.”

Access Plus Racing is sponsored by Ducati Philippines, Angkas, Shell Advance Motorcycle Oils, Frontrow, Makati Diamond Residences, Katinko Oil and Ointment, Macbeth, Aella, LV8 Elevate, Extreme Components, STM, and Öhlins Racing.

Daryl DeLeon Taylor moves up to PRO SR3 for 2023 Radical Cup UK

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Daryl DeLeon Taylor moves up to PRO SR3 for 2023 Radical Cup UK

It’s going to be a very busy year for Daryl DeLeon Taylor. Not only does he have a full time drive in the British Endurance Championship (BEC) with Team HARD Racing, but the Filipino-British driver is also returning to the Hagerty Radical Cup UK in 2023.

The reigning Radical Cup UK SR1 Champion and Radical World Finals World Champion has been called back by Valour Racing for another season. With a partnership that resulted in so many race victories last year, he and his team are hoping to repeat their success this time in the top PRO SR3 category. And the car they’re running is Radical SR3 XX lent out by a very supportive Chris Preen from Performance Time.

While it may look similar to the Radical SR1 that Daryl drove last year, the Radical SR3 XX is a much faster machine. Power is up to 226 hp (from 182 hp), takes 0.5 secs quicker on the run to 100 km/h, and is about 3 to 4 seconds faster around the track per lap.

The field is more competitive as well. There were a total of 14 entries in PRO SR3 category (compared to 12 in SR1) during the season opener last April 1/2 at Donington Park National, that were driven by by more capable drivers.

This requires Daryl to put in more effort to stay ahead, which he sufficiently did that weekend. The 17-year-old would rank 3rd amongst the group during Qualifying and was only 0.534 secs off pole. He then kept his head down to finish all 3 races on the podium with a 2nd, 3rd, and 2nd place.

Hagerty Radical Cup UK 2023 Calendar Round 1 | April 1-2 (Donington Park National) Round 2 | April 29-30 (Brands Hatch GP) Round 3 | May 20-21 (Snetterton 300) Round 4 | June 17-18 (Oulton Park Island) Round 5 | July 29-30 (Silverstone GP) Round 6 | September 16-17 (Donington Park GP)

Daryl is currently 2nd in the Drivers’ Standings with a small 26 points deficit from the leader. Although he plans to enter all 6 events in 2023, there’s just a small uncertainly on a few rounds that he might have to sit out as it clashes with the British Endurance Championship calendar.

Daryl DeLeon Taylor: “I am pleased to be racing in the PRO Radical SR3 category this year. After having such a good 2022 season, it’s good to be racing with Radical Motorsport again, this time in the new SR3XX. Racing these fantastic race cars on such a big stage is an amazing opportunity for us this year and it also means that we can race with the fantastic atmosphere in the Radical paddock again.”

Daryl DeLeon Taylor is supported by Train Maintenance Services (TMS).

For news and updates, Like the Daryl DeLeon Racing page on Facebook, follow @daryldeleon on Instagram, or visit daryltaylorracing.com.

Miguel Quiñones awarded AAP ‘Karting Driver of the Year’ for 2nd year in a row

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Miguel Quiñones awarded AAP ‘Karting Driver of the Year’ for 2nd year in a row

Following a successful 2022 season, Miguel Quiñones has recently received a few more silverware to add to his growing collection of trophies. This time it’s from the FIA’s national sporting authority, the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), who presented him three very special distinctions at the 27th Annual Motorsports Awards.

His first award is for winning the 2022 Rotax MAX Challenge Philippines. A dominant four wins out of six rounds earned him the Senior Class title, which also gave him an entry into the Rotax MAX Challenge World Finals at Portimao, Portugal at the end of the year.

Miguel then received another award for the Rok GP National Karting Series where he secured his second Senior Class title in 2022. The reat would allow him to fly to the Rok Cup Superfinal in Lonato, Italy. But more importantly, this would be the first time in the Philippines for any karter to win both the national Rotax and Rok championships on the same year (as far as we know).

All these achievements would then get Miguel a nod from the AAP Motorsports Committee. He would take home the prize as 2022 Driver of the Year for Karting, which is already a special award in itself. Miguel, on the other hand, would be one of the rare few to take home the prize two years in a row.

All-in-all the AAP gave out 46 accolades during the 27th AAP Annual Motorsport Awards to celebrate another year in Philippine motorsports.

Miguel Quiñones: “I want to thank AAP for another successful season. Without the careful coordination of all AAP members, race events wouldn’t have happened. Winning the Rok and Rotax Senior Class are already achievements in themselves, but I’m especially honored to be the first in the Philippines to win both in the same year I believe. Being a two-time AAP Karter of the Year is truly an honor as well, but none of these would’ve happened without the support of all those close to me.”

Miguel Quiñones is sponsored by RZQ The Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, RZQ Aesthetic Medicine Institude, Derma Medica, Wuerth Philippines, and Vanguard Guarantee Insurance Consultancy.

[Photos by AAP]

Obengers Racing Nitto Tires target 2023 Endurance Challenge on fresh rubber

Time Attack Manila
-
0
Obengers Racing Nitto Tires target 2023 Endurance Challenge on fresh rubber

Most will agree that the true tire performance test is endurance racing. Because here delivering consistent peak performance, on varying conditions, over long sustained periods are key to victory. This is why Obengers Racing is putting its trust in Nitto Tires Philippines as they take on the Makabayan Cup Endurance Challenge together.

Running under the name Obengers Racing Nitto Tires, the team is entering their red-liveried #23 Toyota Vios touring car in all 3 events this 2023. Fittingly, the mix of 2, 4, 8, and 12 hour races enables them to showcase a number of Nitto tire compounds that are fit for different applications.

The first is the Nitto NT05 max performance tire that’s best suited for shorter 2-hour sprints. Sporting an aggressive 200 treadwear, it provides superior grip and precise handling on dry conditions. The NT05 also feature exceptional rigidity and stability needed for high stress applications. But longer stints on track better suit the Nitto NT555 G2 ultra high performance tire. This radial compound offers the best balance between grip and longevity needed for endurance racing, be it in the dry or wet.

Distributed by YHI Philippines Inc., Nitto prides itself in giving enthusiasts the tires and sizes no one else would, while having a perfectly designed tire for the application.

As for driving duties, Obengers Racing Nitto Tires’ lineup consists of Pao Agregado, Joaquin “Wakkeen” Garrido, and Thomas Raldorf.

Pao is an experienced drifter and touring car driver that has been known to be calm and cool behind the wheel while delivering consistently quick laps. He also serves as Team Manager and will surely have his hands full during the races as he juggles between roles. Wakeen, on the other hand, is the youngest and most potent driver of the 3. His motorsports journey began at a young age in karting before making the switch to touring cars in recent years. Most recently, he finished Sporting Class runner up in the 2022 Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup, also with Obengers Racing.

Danish driver Thomas Raldorf is the newest addition to the team. Now based in Asia, he’s a multiple-time touring car champion and was the Thailand Super Series (TSS) Super Car GTC Champion in 2017. This, however, is not his first time racing in the Philippines. In case you missed it, Thomas also entered the Endurance Challenge last November and claimed class victory in the 4 Hour race.

“The team is very methodical and structured in how they operate, and for me that’s important. The friendliness in the pits and competitiveness on the track makes racing in the Philippines fun and enjoyable,” shared Thomas about his experience last year.

Together, the trio is making a 2023 title bid in the C3 Category, which begins this weekend. A total of 17 cars are expected to lineup on the grid this April 16 at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) for the Kagitingan Cup season opener. Obengers Racing Nitto Tires have confirmed that it is entering both the 2 Hour race in the morning and the 4 Hour race in the afternoon.

Jay Delloso, YHI Philippines General Manager: “Nitto Tire is a beloved enthusiast brand and we believe that our high performance tires can support a team such as Obengers Racing into achieving the best results. Endurance racing pushes not only the driver to the limit but also the race car itself. And we at Nitto believe that our tires can withstand the toughest conditions brought about by endurance racing. We wish Obengers Racing all the best in this year’s racing season and we are with them all the way.”

Obengers Racing Nitto Tires is supported by Nitto Tires Philippines, Motul Philippines – Infiniteserv Int’l, Dynopro Philippines, and Toyota Balintawak Inc.

123...119Page 2 of 119