With 14 drivers and 3 cars, Ribbon Arc Motorsports was able to bring home a total of 4 trophies for their achievements at the recent Kalayaan Cup in both the 6 Hour and 12 Hour races. This goes to show that their mix of sim racers and real-world drivers CAN deliver results on-track given proper equipment, run by a proper team.
#525 Formula V1 Lands Top 3 Spot Overall
The Sim Racing Ph Formula V1, driven by an international star-studded lineup, was the fastest of all 3 cars. However, its fuel capacity limited it to 90 min stints, which required for a well-calculated strategy.
Starting driver Jonathan Ogden (UK) would maintain their P6 starting position before US drivers Clifton Lipple and Gino Manley took turns to reach the race’s halfway mark. However, trouble struck the #525 FV1 in the afternoon when a rear control arm broke after going over the rumble strips at the Clark International Speedway (CIS). It took the team 20 long mins in the garage to repair, which lost them 10 laps to the leader. But once it was back on 4 wheels, Clifton made a swift comeback drive to get them up to P3 as he handed the car over to Winston Graham (US) for his stint.
Japanese driver Masami Orita drove back-to-back stints and maintained their Top 3 position overall. Local sim racer Russel Reyes, who made his real-world racing debut, then went in last to take the chequered flag in 3rd overall with 265 laps in the bag.
6Hr and 12Hr Class Podiums for the #17 Atom Tech by HG Autoworks Yaris
Despite encountering a number of issues, the blue-livered #17 Yaris took home the most number of trophies for Ribbon Arc Motorsports.
Paul Monastrial began the race and ended his stint in P7 overall. Jamil Lacuna was up next and drove for 50-laps, which allowed them to place P4 in Class 2, 4 hours in. Enzo Ison continued their push to the front with long stints and consistent lap times to get the #17 Yaris into the class lead. It was just unfortunate that a lengthy Safety Car period wiped out their advantage and let their closest competitor find a way past. Still, their efforts would earn them 2nd place in Class 2 for the 6 Hour race.
Although it wasn’t the fastest strategy, managing driver fatigue and car longevity with shorter stints was key in surviving the next 6 hours in sweltering conditions. 14-year old Rafa Caceres, Ringo Abadicio, Paulo Medina, and Gav Quintos traded places every 45 mins was steadily running 4th in their class. However, a broken seat and a drive-through penalty didn’t help their cause and required Jamil to jump back in the final hour to make up for lost ground. His quick driving eventually got them back onto a podium position to take 3rd in Class 2 with 256 laps completed.
3rd place for the #26 Pinky Parts Ph Yaris despite DNF
Gav Quintos was doing double duty in the Kalayaan Cup piloting Ribbon Arc Motorsports’ silver #26 Yaris. He was first in the car and was P4 in the Open B category at the end of his stint. Gino Manley and Jonathan Ogden then took over while also sharing duties in the team’s #525 FV1. Now running P3 in class, the team’s lone lady driver Montoye Baker (UK) was up next and fast approaching the race’s halfway point. But just as she crossed the 6 Hour mark, the car suffered a sudden race-ending engine failure.
Thankfully, the #26 Yaris didn’t come home empty-handed. They had completed just enough laps to secure 3rd place in Open B for the 6 Hour race and land the crew on the podium.
Ribbon Arc Motorsports is supported by EMS Group, Atom Tech by HG Autoworks, Tuason Racing, Sim Racing Ph, Pinky Parts Ph, East Side Collective, Bendix Philippines, Bluechem Philippines, Hardex Philippines, Technowheels, Ever Since, Carbon101, Isla’s Garage, JMMotorsports, Aguila Auto Glass, JD Motorsports, Vitz JDM Surplus Parts, Rota Wheels, Productivv Crew, Kalbotography, Reel Memoria, Nu Com Digital, Daryl Brady GP, MD Motorsport, My Cars Manila, Flicker Tech, Reap Sight, C&C Motorsport, and KS Racing.
For more info and the latest updates, visit www.ribbonarc.com and follow Ribbon Arc Motorsports on Facebook.