2023 Tarlac Rally Season Opener is PHRX’s ‘Most Exhilarating Rally Yet’

MANILA: The 2023 Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) held its season opener last June 24 to 25 at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, promoting the comeback of the rally to the Philippines. The rally's parc fermé and service park were situated at the renowned 2019 Southeast Asian Games venue.

11 exciting special stages made up the first round of the Tarlac Rally, and they were accessed through the O'Donnell Road, which was the rally's major route. 12 participants took part in the tough but thrilling rally competition. Only six of the 12 teams were able to experience the exhilarating sensation of reaching the finish arch, which denotes the completion of the more than 100-kilometer rally.

Paul Santos and navigator Ansley Sarmiento of the Group 2 classification were hailed as the overall champions of the opening round of the 2023 Tarlac Rally. With an overall time of 45 minutes and 14 seconds, the 2022 Philippine Rallycross Group 3 Champion and 2022 Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) Driver of the Year for Rallycross completed the rally in his no. 1 Honda Civic EK.

Jun Magno, a seasoned rally driver, competed in the rear-wheel drive (RWD) class and placed second overall with a 3S-GE Beams-powered BMW E36. Magno and his co-driver Kalvin Sumagui finished the race in an official time of 45 minutes and 30 seconds.

Devor Andres, an off-roader and dirt bike rider, and his driving partner Rommel Ocoy were acclaimed as the third-place overall winners. The team, driving the rally's oldest vehicle, a 1980s Toyota Corolla KE70, finished in a total rally time of 50 minutes and 22 seconds, taking the lead in Group 4.

Touge Battle race organizers E.Z. Ligaya and Stephen Alunan completed the rally in 53 minutes and 14 seconds using the Debest Autofix BMW 316i E36. The Full Throttle Weekend team came in second in the RWD class and placed fourth overall in the rally.

Marvin Susara and navigator Charlie Cruz ruled Group 1 in the team's 2NZ-powered Corolla E100. The seasoned competitors managed to clock in a total rally time of 55 minutes and 31 seconds, which won them the fifth-place overall finish.

Despite difficulties mid-rally, AAP CEO Mark Desales and co-driver Ricxie dela Cruz managed to finish the competition. The pair finished second in Group 1 and sixth overall with a total time of 59 minutes and 59 seconds.

The 2023 Tarlac Rally is made possible by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), New Clark City, Tarlac province, Capas Local Government Unit, San Jose Local Government Unit, Cleanfuel, Ravenol, Autoplus Sport, Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Accelera Tires, Aguila Auto Glass, AC Delco, JS Mina Sound System, Print & Mount, Method Race Wheels,  and Tyron Runflat.

Photos from Philippine Rallycross Series

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