Fielding two entries – a Toyota 86 in the Open A category and a Honda Civic EG in Open B – Ethanworx Motorsports secured a total of four class podiums plus 2nd overall at the recent Makabayan Endurance Series. Despite running into technical issues, both cars made it to the end and delivered 2nd place class finishes in both the 2- and 4-hour races.
The team’s blue-and-black liveried Toyota 86 was shared between Ethan Ong, Pep Lo, and Kyle Bagot. Starting the morning’s 2 Hour Enduro from P3 on the grid, they sent out their fastest driver first, with Ethan logging quick, consistent laps around the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC). The 15-year-old made it as high as P2 before handing the car over to Pep after his stint. Although they lost several places during the pit stop, the #75 Toyota gradually made its way back up the standings to P3. Kyle then brought it home to the chequered flag in 4th overall, with a solid 2nd in Open A.
Ethanworx Motorsports’ second entry—piloted by the father-and-sons trio of Dodie, Gio, and Kiel Cabasal—almost didn’t make it to the start. After suffering a crash during practice, the team had to pull an all-nighter to put the #62 Repsol Honda Civic back together in time for race day. Thankfully, their efforts paid off, with the car making it to the grid in P8. In contrast to the rocky start to their weekend, it was smooth sailing for the Cabasal family throughout the 120-min race. A well-timed pit stop, proper fuel management, and an error-free run allowed them to finish 6th overall and 2nd in Open B.
The 4 Hour Enduro in the afternoon, however, proved to be a much tougher test for both Ethanworx Motorsports entries. Adopting a more conservative strategy for the #75 Toyota 86, tire and fuel management took priority over outright pace. With Pep taking the opening stint, the car started strong and held onto P4. But as the race went on, they gradually lost pace while struggling with multiple technical gremlins. Kyle and Ethan had to get the most out of their ailing car to maintain track position and ensure it made it to the finish. After completing 113 laps, they crossed the line 3rd overall, with another 2nd place in class.
Likewise, the #62 Honda Civic was hampered by a string of unexpected issues. Race officials forced the team to make an unscheduled stop to repair their brake lights, which were later found to be operational upon inspection. Then, a minor spill during refueling earned them a 1-min penalty. To make matters worse, the Civic developed electrical and transmission issues, which they had to manage carefully to make it to the end. Even with all the setbacks, the Cabasals pushed through and finished 4th overall, claiming another 2nd place in Open B—just behind their teammates in the Toyota.
Ethanworx Motorsports is sponsored by Auto Vault Speed Shop the distributor of Modesta Premium Glass Coatings, Autozkin Paint Protection, Repsol Philippines, Makita Philippines, Nature’s Spring, PIAA, Hardrace, D1 Spec, and ASR.
[Photos by James Viado / Kalbotography Motorsport Photographer]
