PHILIPPINE RALLYCROSS SERIES OPENS 2024 SEASON IN METRO MANILA
HOSTING the brand-new season right where they left off previously, the Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) opened its 2024 season at Parklinks in C5, Pasig City. Bringing dirt trial racing right into the metro, the PHRX launched its latest season with action-packed dirt racing, supported by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).
Spanning a two-kilometer track of mixed tarmac and dirt course, the opening round of the series’ eighth season saw over 50 entries racing against time in the dirt trial format. The first leg of the series was divided into two rounds, which also comprised the day and night races.
The morning race in Group 1 was dominated by Caloy Calica in his Honda Jazz GD, clocking a total time of 6:02.39. Ricxie de la Cruz secured second place with 6:41.05, while AAP Chief Executive Officer Mark Desales completed the class podium with a total time of 6:42.82.
In Group 2, defending champion Paul Santos captured the win with a total time of 5:48.82. Meanwhile, his son Paolo Santos secured second place with a time of 5:50.45 in his debut in Group 2. Louie Camacho took third place with 5:52.09.
The elder Santos maintained his lead in the Group 3 category with a total time of 5:47.19, closely followed by Camacho in his E11 Corolla with a time of 5:48.64. Edsel de Dios completed the Group 3 podium with a total time of 5:55.93.
Santos continued his impressive season opener performance by winning Group 4 with a total time of 5:51.42. Joining him on the class podium were de Dios with a time of 5:56.60 and one of the youngest drivers in the field, Ricardo Dy-Liacco, with a total time of 5:59.92.
In the RWD (rear wheel drive) Class, defending champion EZ Ligaya secured the top spot in his new BMW E46 rally car with a time of 6:09.95. Multidiscipline racer Devor Andres showcased his skills on dirt trails, finishing with a time of 6:15.07 in his KE70 Corolla. Veteran rally driver Jun Magno completed the class podium with his Toyota-powered E36, clocking in at 6:22.55.
Paolo Santos won the Open Class in his Toyota Rav4 with a total time of 5:55.38, beating Mike Reyes in his Impreza GC8, who finished with a total of 6:04.97. Abet Reyes in his Civic EK completed the class podium with a time of 6:07.43.
In the AWD (all-wheel drive) Class, the younger Santos emerged victorious with a time of 6:00.88, followed by Reyes with a time of 6:09.00, and Allan Francisco in his Vitara with a total of 7:48.63.
UV Class 2023 Champion DJ de Guzman won the season opener with a time of 6:07.54, followed by fellow champion Camacho, this time in his D-MAX rally truck, with a time of 6:27.91. Aven Tongo in his white D-MAX clocked in at 7:14.37, earning him the final podium spot.
Camacho also won the all D-MAX pickup class with a time of 6:28.41, leading Tongo who clocked in at 7:03.67.
For the second round, competitors tackled faster in a more technical course. However, this did not deter the drivers from giving their all.
In the night race for Group 1, Calica again dominated with a time of 2:53.76, with Desales in second and de la Cruz in third, finishing with total times of 3:12.46 and 3:20.29, respectively.
Santos once again took the top spot for Group 2 in the second round with a time of 2:42.85, followed by Camacho with a total time of 2:50.29. George Apacible in his E11 Corolla completed the group podium with a time of 2:54.12.
Santos also captured the Group 3 win with a time of 2:46.91 after an intense battle with Apacible, who finished with a time of 2:48.28. Camacho secured third place with a time of 2:50.62.
Santos led the Group 4 night race standings with a time of 2:46.18, followed by Dy-Liacco in second with a time of 2:48.93 and Magno in third with a time of 3:10.73.
Andres dominated the BMWs during the night round with a time of 2:57.74, followed by Ligaya and Magno, who finished with times of 3:00.59 and 3:13.45, respectively.
Mike Reyes secured the Open Class win with a time of 2:56.45, followed by Abet Reyes in second with 2:59.69, and Paolo Santos in third with 3:00.21.
Reyes also won the AWD Class night race with a time of 2:54.22, followed by Francisco in second with 3:48.05 and Santos in third with 5:20.09.
The UV Class night race was won by Camacho with a time of 3:01.47, followed by Tongo in second with 3:18.30 and Leland Pascual, who drove a Land Rover Discovery, in third with 3:20.57.
In the Pickup Class night race, two D-MAX rally trucks battled it out, with Camacho edging ahead with a time of 3:16.51 against Tongo’s 3:28.67.
The first race weekend of the series was also graced by AAP President Joe Ferreria, who not only observed the race but also rode shotgun for a lap around the track.
More exciting dirt trial and rally racing are scheduled to occur throughout the year, with the PHRX dirt trial rounds becoming more frequent in the metro. For more information, visit the Philippine Rallycross Series official Facebook page.