Story & Photos by Randy S. Peregrino
AFTER the action-packed race in Cebu City, the Vios Cup recently returned to Manila for its third leg of the second season on the streets of Mall of Asia (MOA). Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) made history by putting up another street course dubbed as the “Manila Bay Circuit.” The entire track was constructed with a stretch, chicanes, tight turns and reinforced steel railings for protection.
The event started with a meet and greet with all participating race cars lined up and drivers interacting with the fans for photo opportunities. Soon after, TMP President Michinobu Sugata spearheaded the launch and addressed spectators and participants. Popular drivers such as Sam YG, Jinno Rufino, Phoemela Baranda, Kylie Padilla, Joyce Pring, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Fabio Ide were back in action in the celebrity class. Derek Ramsey missed the race due to illness but managed to join the presentation.
Around 38 competitors for both promotional and sporting divisions competed, including Sugata-san, Sen. JV Ejercito, Pauland Dumlao, Dominic Ochoa, Miguel Diaz and Charlie Cojuangco, among others, while young bloods such as Stefano Rivera, Andres Calma, Daniel Miranda, Basti Escalante and Bobby Domingo were present.
The sporting class kicked off the official race and saw exhilarating scenarios in the early laps with car number 42 piloted by Jette Calderon hitting the side barriers coming from a hard turn. Several cars also scrambled into the very constricted chicanes with race car number 20 driven by Daniel Miranda colliding with the chicanes. An even more exciting promotional group race saw action in the initial rounds with race car number 94 piloted by Alexis Salvador ramming the steel barrier, while Juan Nolasco in car number 19 stalled and was sidelined.
The chicane installed in the middle of the stretch proved to challenging for the competitors given the several collisions that dismounted several rear and front bumpers.
As for the celebrity class opening race, Sam YG retired halfway through the second lap. Actress and TV personality Padilla demonstrated improvement and tenacity during the early stages, however, she found herself a victim of the dreaded chicane as she struck the side barrier and failed to continue.
The final round of the sporting class showcased a steadier pace except for another mishap in the very same spot involving car number 26 driven by Allan Uy. What became a showdown between two drivers was the last set of the promotional category. Ejercito in car number 24 trailed Sugata in car number 03, who advanced from 12th to third despite a time penalty.
With Padilla and Smith out of the final sequence of the celebrity bracket, the remaining five drivers went on to finish the contest.
In the end, Sam YG bagged the Best Male Celebrity Driver award along with Baranda, who claimed the Best Female Celebrity Driver trophy, while Joyce Pring was given the Most Improved Celebrity Driver award. The promotional category awards were given to Miguel Diaz as the champion followed by Lord Sena in second and Ejercito in third. Accolades were given to Diaz as the champion followed by Alexis Salvador in second and Sugata in third.
Rivera dominated the sporting class as the champion in both races including the Fastest Lap Time award, followed by Calma in second and Domingo in third for Race 5. As for the final race, Miranda took the second spot and shadowed by Domingo, who claimed third place.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino