The third round marked an exhilarating chapter in the Philippine motorsport scene as Tuason Racing successfully hosted the 1NZ races at the 4.2 km long Clark International Speedway in Pampanga. The event drew motorsport enthusiasts, fans, and industry insiders, delivering nonstop action, close battles, and exceptional displays of skill from the country’s top drivers.
The competition featured the 1NZ Cup, showcasing veteran racers piloting meticulously prepared Toyota vehicles, all powered by shared 1NZ engines. The weekend was filled with impressive lap times and strategic overtakes, providing a true test of driver skill and vehicle performance. Spectators witnessed high-speed action and dramatic moments, making it one of the most memorable weekends in the 1NZ series.
Twenty racers lined up on the grid, divided into three classes that each presented unique challenges. With the series using an incremental points multiplier, the stakes were high as drivers vied for their respective championships. Round 3 offered a 1.5x point multiplier, while Round 4 increased to 2x, marking this as the most critical leg of the season.
All three classes featured tight championship battles. In Class 1, Miguel Abano held a sizable 19-point lead but faced a potential challenge from Polo Bautista due to the points multiplier. Class 2 hosted a three-way fight among Jun Cabrera, Gel Napat, and Jher Villar, with only a 15-point difference from first to third place. Class 3 had Oliver Aquino barely leading with a 0.5-point advantage over John Camus, while Gav Quintos sat just 10 points behind in third.
The first race of Round 3 began with sunny skies and high hopes. The action remained clean and competitive, with Miguel Abano securing first place in Class 1 ahead of Polo Bautista, while Katherine Villar from EdgeSport Racing joined the podium in third. In Class 2, Jun Cabrera claimed victory, followed by Gel Napat and Oliver Estrella, who replaced Maila Alivia. Class 3 had Oliver Aquino leading the entire 1NZ field, while Gav Quintos and John Camus finished second and third, respectively.
Race 2 that afternoon brought a shift in conditions, as rising temperatures affected the track’s grip. Emotions ran high, and Class 1 saw Polo Bautista charge to first place, with Miguel Abano in second and Katherine Villar rounding out the podium. Class 2 repeated the earlier results, with Jun Cabrera and Gel Napat finishing in the same order. In Class 3, Oliver Aquino retained first place, but there was an intense battle for second and third among Allen Escoto, Gav Quintos, and John Camus, with Escoto finishing ahead of his rivals despite several incidents.
Round 4 started bright and early the next day, with no qualifying session as results from the previous race were carried over. Drivers approached the opening race with caution due to the prior day’s incidents, but the competition remained fierce. Polo Bautista continued his winning streak in Class 1, followed by Miguel Abano and Katherine Villar. Class 2 saw Jun Cabrera maintain his dominance, Gel Napat in the middle of the pack, and Oliver Estrella securing third. Class 3 ended with John Camus in first, Allen Escoto in second, and Oliver Aquino in third.
The final race of the day had Polo Bautista sealing three consecutive wins in Class 1, with Katherine Villar taking second and Miguel Abano finishing third, earning Bautista the Class 1 Championship. Gel Napat claimed victory in Class 2, narrowly beating Jun Cabrera, while Oliver Estrella remained consistent in third, securing Cabrera’s Class 2 Championship. In Class 3, Oliver Aquino took first place, followed by Gav Quintos and John Camus, with Aquino emerging as the Class 3 Champion.
With the conclusion of the 1NZ season, Tuason Racing remains committed to advancing motorsport in the Philippines by providing platforms for drivers to hone their skills and showcase their talents. As Tuason Racing looks ahead to future events, motorsport fans can expect more high-octane action and opportunities for aspiring racers.
This event was made possible with the support of GT Radial, powered by Unioil and Gulf, and contributions from OMP, FASA, Toptul, West Racing Cars, Imprint Customs, Rota, On Shoes, Brembo Brakes, Anessa, DynoPro, AAP, and Clark International Speedway. Media coverage was provided by Inquirer, C!, Autodeal, Autocar, Skramble, Time Attack Manila, and Autoindustriya.
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