Story & Photos by Patrick P. Tulfo
THEY say asphalt and water make a deadly combination when driving, but not when it’s on the racetrack with professional race car drivers behind the wheels. This may very well sum up the second leg of the fourth edition of the highly anticipated Vios Cup held in Clark Speedway in Pampanga on June 9 and 10.
Even when it drizzled the whole day on the second day of the race, this didn’t deter the spectators from coming to root for their favorite celebrities and professional drivers who didn’t disappoint their fans as it was a slam-bang affair from the start until the end.
The fans who braved the inclement weather to witness the event got more than what they bargained for as the slippery tracks tested the limits of a 52-car grid.
Participants of the three main categories, namely, the Super Sporting Class, Sporting Class and Promotional and Celebrity Class gave race fans a show, as the level of intensity increased significantly depending on the category. The second leg was way better than the opening race held in April on the same venue, as this one showcased a lot of detached bumpers that happened mostly on the hairpin turns.
There was even a scary moment wherein one of the cars skidded and spun on the other direction because of the slippery conditions of the track, but thankfully there was no major collision (credit the improving driving skills of the participant).
The result was a mixture of old and new, with the young Daniel Miranda of the Obengers team, clinching the top spot for the Super Sporting Class. Sen. JV Ejercito, meantime, won the Sporting Class Division after four years of trying. The senator obviously put in more practice for this season of the Vios Cup, which really showed during the race.
Meanwhile, TV host Dominique Roque stamped his class in the Celebrity Division by outgunning his fellow participants. And capping the event was Red Diwa of Toyota Isabela, who emerged on top for the Promotional Class.
Other racers who received commendations include Aira Medrano, who won the Denso fastest lap award in the Sporting Class. Medrano had a strong showing in the previous season of the Vios Cup and continues to be a contender for this season. Fellow teammate Evelyn Coseteng took home the Motul Slingshot Award (both ladies represented Toyota Alabang).
Actresses Ella Cruz and Jasmine Curtis-Smith who both competed in the Celebrity Class also took home awards, with Jasmine bagging AVT Best Overall Female Celebrity Driver while Cruz, who just recently joined the race, won the Brembo Most Improved Celebrity Driver plum.
The fourth season of the Vios Cup wouldn’t be complete without the side attraction for other members of the family who trooped to the venue. New attraction for kids included an inflatable basketball court, which drew a lot of participants. A virtual-reality game that attracted teenagers and the most popular skid race cars, who drew both old and young alike. There were also food carts and booths selling car accessories mostly for Toyota vehicles.
The next race leg of the Vios Cup will be held in September and is expected to draw a lot of spectators again due to the result of this one.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo