Dondon Portugal makes strong comeback at the Yokohama Philippine GT Round 3

Batangas Racing Circuit, Philippines  – Dondon Portugal bested the 13-car field despite mechanical issues with his GT 300 Mitsubishi Evolution VIII race car in the 3^rd Round of the 2015 Yokohama Philippine GT Championship last July 26 at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC).

The mayor of Taysan, Batangas returned to the series after missing out on the first 2 legs, challenging W-Autosport’s Willie Torres in the GT 300 class. Also making their first apperance this season are Joel Portugal and Allen Macaraig both competing in GT 150.

 The day’s action proved fitting to break in the newly-laid asphalt of the demanding 3.4 km Batangas Racing Circuit. This was the first officially-sactioned event to run on the freshly-paved track. Further changes for GT 150 and GT 100 racers are the use of Yokohama S Drive tires – a sports touring tire that’s more forgiving and economical than both the ADVAN A050 and Neova AD08 racing tires.

In Qualifying, Dondon Portugal proved that the 2-race hiatus did not diminish his pace one bit, taking pole position with a time of 1:47.327. However, Portugal experienced mechanical problems during the morning’s Sprint Race, prompting him to retire in lap 6 of the 10-lap event. This allowed Torres to take overall victory and 1^st in GT 300.

Paolo Mantolino of Ethanworx Racing Team finished 1^st in GT 200, followed by Walter Zamora in the Walter Lights and Sound Honda Civic EK sedan, while Richmon Dela Rosa crossed the line 3 laps down in 3^rd.

The GT 150 class saw Allen Macaraig retire early after his car rolled over in lap 2 of the Sprint Race. Thankfully, he escaped unscathed. As for the class win, Patrick Dela Rosa outpaced the SM Bonus Honda Civic EK hatchbacks of NR Joaquin and Dindo De Jesus in his own Civic hatchback.

Ivan Diaz finished 1^st in GT 100 with a mere 0.400 second lead over Edwin Rodriguez in the brand new Mazda 2 SKYACTIV race car. Joginder “King” Sin finished 3^rd.

The afternoon’s 17-Lap GT Race was threatened by dark rain clouds. Thankfully, the showers stopped as soon as the race began.

With his race car fixed, Dondon Portugal was able to return to the track and lead a lights-to-flag overall victory, finishing 52.678 seconds ahead of GT 300 rival Willie Torres.

Paolo Mantolino was in a good pace to go toe-to-toe with Richmon Dela Rosa, but a puncture on his left front tire required a pitstop to replace it. This ended his chances at a victory in GT 200, which would go to Richmon Dela Rosa. He was followed by Walter Zamora in 2^nd, and Mantolino who managed to salvage 3^rd place despite finishing a lap down.

In GT 150, Patrick Dela Rosa again bested Dindo De Jesus and NR Joaquin, with the 3 finishing 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd in class, respectively.

Ivan Diaz once again found himself taking 1^st place in GT 100, with Edwin Rodriguez and the Mazda2 SKYACTIV race car in 2^nd and Joginder “King” Sin in 3^rd a lap behind.

In the Philminiracers Classic Mini, the Open Pro Class Final was won by Jason Choachuy, followed by Rodney Caballero in 2^nd and Borgy Zoleta in 3^rd. Meanwhile, the VW Beetles of Dexter Daquigan, Raffy Locson, Arman Salada took their respective podium spots in both the Pre-final and Final Races of the Classic Aspirated Cup.

The top 3 finishers in the action-packed Bracket Race of the Sparco Cup were Eduardo Suiza,  Jey Jey Beredo, and Lewy Manio, while the Grid Race which was won by Paul Henderson Perez, Emerson Ocampo, and Eduardo Suiza.

Round 4 of the 2015 Yokohama Philippine GT Championship will be held on August 29/30 at the Clark International Speedway. It is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), sponsored by Yokohama Tires Sales Philippines, Inc., Sparco, and Aguila Auto Glass with support from the offical dyno provider, Speedlab.

 For more info or inquiries about the Philippine GT Championship, please contact BRCI at (02) 729-5365 or 0932-860-4522. Get the latest announcements at www.facebook.com/BatangasRacingCircuit or log on to www.batangasracingcircuit.org.

2015 Yokohama GT Championship Round 3 Results (Sprint Race)

2015 Yokohama GT Championship Round 3 Results (GT Race)

Source:Attack Manila