Jarond Mesina capped off his debut season in the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Philippine Cup’s Super Sporting Class with a strong finish at the Clark International Speedway (CIS). Driving for Dash Racing x ERA Autosport, the 22-year-old Cebuano secured a top 5 in the finale, securing 5th overall in the championship standings.
The season ender at CIS needed both speed and a bit of luck to succeed. Jarond began preparations early, testing as early as Wednesday to dial in his #24 Toyota Vios OMR cup car. Heavy rain on Thursday, however, disrupted much of the team’s progress, forcing them to adapt to changing conditions heading into Qualifying on Friday. Despite the slight setback, Jarond managed P5 on the grid—just 0.866 secs shy of pole and in the thick of the fight.
Race 1 showed plenty of promise. After a clean getaway, Jarond stayed in touch with the leaders and crossed the line in 4th, just behind his former Toyota Team Cebu (TTC) teammate Russel Cabrera. But misfortune struck the next day when a mechanical issue compromised his chances in Race 2, leaving him to salvage a lowly 7th at the flag.
The 1.5 Hour Endurance offered one last chance to close the season on a high. A flawless pitstop from the Dash Racing x ERA Autosport crew briefly vaulted Jarond into podium contention. But an extended Safety Car period past the halfway mark disrupted their strategy and erased the advantage they had built. Even so, he pressed on to finish 5th on the same lap as the leaders.
The result capped off a season of milestones for Jarond in his first year with Dash Racing x ERA Autosport. He opened the campaign with a podium at CIS, then delivered a breakthrough victory on the unforgiving Villar City Street Circuit in Round 2. With consistent points and a strong finish in the finale, he secured 5th overall in the Super Sporting championship—laying a solid foundation for an even bigger push in 2026.
Jarond Mesina: “Not the weekend we had hoped for, but still plenty of positives to take away. Our first year with Dash Racing and ERA Autosport was a success—we built a new team, learned a lot together in driving, car preparation, and strategy, and showed we can fight at the front. I’m thankful to Milo, Carlo, our partners, and my family for their support throughout the season, and I’m looking forward to coming back even stronger in 2026.”
Milo Rivera, ERA Autosport Team Founder: “This may have been one of Jarond’s most impressive performances of the year, even if the results didn’t reflect it. What stood out was his growth—his pace, racecraft, and ability to adapt under pressure all improved significantly. With the experience gained this season, I’m confident Jarond will return as a serious contender next year.”
ERA Autosport x Dash Racing is supported by Marina Lechon, Marina Seafoods, Jose Filipino Kitchen, Nature Spring Water, Ubec Mags, Vibo Place, and Decal Republic.
[Photos courtesy of James Morales Jr]
