5th Tour de Cebu set this Friday

Tour de Cebu, an annual Philippines historic sports car rally, is scheduled to flag off this Friday in Bohol.

Now on its fifth edition, Tour de Cebu highlights the preservation of historic sports cars and at the same time promoting Cebu and the neighboring islands as a premier tourism destination.

"Our challenge this year is to find new routes that is not featured in the last two editions and I am happy to report that we have found about 40-kilometer new routes that's going to be a surprise and challenging for the participants," said Tour de Cebu Technical Director Pepon Marave in a press conference yesterday at the Montebello Villa Hotel.

Organized by the Performance and Classics Enthusiasts (PACE) of Cebu, the event is expected to draw around 38 classic car drivers to join the race.

PACE President Jay Aldeguer, for his part, said it' is a bittersweet moment for them as they will be staging their last Bohol leg.

Tour de Cebu, which was incepted in 2013 is inspired by the Mille Miglia, an open-road endurance race held in Italy.

Defending champion Marty Aguilar will be defending his title this year.

Among who will be joining the rally this year are Aldeguer, PACE Founding member Kenneth Cobonpue and other 12 Cebuano drivers along with some local vintage car owners in the country.

The awards to be contested are the Bobby Aboitiz Excellent Class Champion (cars upto 1966), PACE Chairman's Class Award (cars from 1967-1972), Sportsman Class Champion (upto 1976), Clubman Class Champion and the Tour de Cebu Grand Champion.

Before the race gets underway, a vintage car show on Thursday will serve as prelude to the annual regularity rally with over 40 iconic vehicles manufactured in 1972 or earlier will be displayed at Montebello Villa Hotel. —