STV-ARCC runs this Saturday at Subic

OH NO sir, it’s not a race. For an “on time, all the time” rally it would need a perfect combination of skillful driving, a heightened sense of direction and no less than precise timing—the only way to win for a driver, route navigator and time navigator rally team. The STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge is a revival of the Sampaguita Rally, which was one of the country’s popular motor sport disciplines in the 60’ s with starting grids composed of motor sports exponents like of the legendary Pocholo Ramirez, late greats like Tony Mapa, Dodo Ayuyao, living champions like Dante Silverio, Mandy Eduque to mention a very few. In this local version of Europe’s once very popular Tulip “on time, all the time” Rally, the competition’s rules call for participants to travel distances on given or required timelines. Every second beyond or less than the prescribed travel time would mean a demerit and the team that acquires the least number of demerits wins. The rally runs on public roads and participants are not exempt from traffic laws and regulations. Any infringement cited by traffic authorities or rally marshals would mean an automatic disqualification. This is the road safety and road discipline aspect of the competition—its social relevance.

And this Saturday, November 26, a total of 13 Corporate Rally Teams namely; Auto Nation Group ( Mercedes Benz/Jeep/Chrysler), Chevrolet Philippines, Honda Cars Philippines, Isuzu Philippines, LexusManila, Mazda Philippines, MINI, PGA Cars ( Porsche/ Audi), Peugeot Philippines, Ssangyong Philippines,

Subaru Philippines, TATA Philippines and Toyota Motor Philippines shall pit wits together with driving, timing and navigating skills to win much- coveted honors in the 2016 STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge.

Once again the parc fermi and flag-off area shall be at the Harbor Point Mall in Subic. A total of more than

40 brand new vehicles from the country’s foremost automobile manufacturers and importers are expected to be at the starting grid. This is indeed the local auto industry’s showcase of their much-desired car models. To be manned by about 120 drivers and navigators, the usual fiesta atmosphere at the flag off area is again expected to prevail as the members of the local auto industry once again come together in the only motor sports event in the country where they openly compete against each other—and in a most friendly manner. The impressive line up of past winners of the

STV-ARCC include; Ford Philippines in 2010; Subaru Philippines in 2011; MINI Philippines in 2012, 2013 and 2014; Subaru Philippines in 2015.

So far the MINI Corporate Rally Team of Willy Tee Ten stands to have the distinction of being a 3-Time Winner and the 1st Permanent Holder of the STV-ARCC Champion’s Trophy. The 2016 STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge is a road safety advocacy project of Sunshine TV and SocioCom Foundation in cooperation with Petron and Harbor Point Mall and supported by Segara Hotel and Subic Bay Venezia Hotel.