SAC Suzuki Asian Challenge 2017: A Double Win for Team Suzuki Pilipinas

It is a back to back victory for Team Suzuki Pilipinas as the Suzuki Asian Challenge (SAC) 2017 season begins at Johor International Circuit in Malaysia. Both Race 1 and 2 saw Team Suzuki Pilipinas riders Mario Borbon Jr. and April King Mascardo grabbing the top place making history once more by having the Philippine national anthem played for the first time at the said racetrack as well as achieving a grand slam win for the country at SAC Round 1.

April King Mascardo, Eane Jay Sobretodo and Mario Borbon Jr. returned at the SAC tracks to show how much they have improved over the years. A Suzuki developmental program, SAC is a one make race competition among nations aiming to hone young riders to be MotoGP racers. The 2017 SAC season sees 16 riders from 9 countries – Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Showing optimism from the very beginning, Team Suzuki Pilipinas already gave promising performances by clinching the pole position at the qualifying race. Mindanao rider April King Mascardo got the pole with the fastest lap time of 1’57.66 breaking last year’s record by less than 2s. Following him on third spot was Luzon rider Eane Jay Sobretodo. Later on Race 1, Visayas rider Mario Borbon, Jr. managed to stay on the lead on the last laps despite the slippery and wet track condition, hence grabbing the 1 st top podium win of the season.

Mario Borbon JrApril King Mascardo    

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During Race 2, Mascardo and Sobretodo were alternately leading on the first laps of the race. However, Sobretodo collided with the other riders during the middle part giving chance to leading Mascardo to isolate himself and continuously led the race. Mascardo’s win gave Team Suzuki PIlipinas their first back-to-back victory at the SAC history!

The boys made yet another history for the country not only by having the Philippine national anthem played at the Johos Circuit for the very first time but also playing it for two consecutive days in a single race series.

This is truly going to be an exciting season for Team Suzuki PIlipinas. All Suzuki fans are hopeful that the team will consistently make it to the top for the rest of the season and bring the Championship title to the Philippines. Keep track of our heroes’ journey at the SAC at Round 2 at Chang International Circuit, Thailand on April 14 to 15, Round 3 at Suzuka International Circuit, Japan on June 3 to 4, Round 4 at Sentul Inetrnational Circuit, Indonesia on August 12 to 13 and the final round Chang International Circuit, Thailand on December 2 to 3.