The GT Radial FlatOut Race Series (FORS) is now on the final stretch as the country’s premier grassroots motorsports event hosted the penultimate round of the 2016 season.

It was day filled with on-track action as the Time Trial and Grid drivers were all focused on scoring valuable championship points. Run under the guidance of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), there were a total of 82 competitors that raced around the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) last September 17.

Time Trial

Eduardo Suiza was once again a dominant force in Bracket A. His best lap of 1:50.852 in the GT Radial SX2-shod Competition Clutch Honda Civic EG bagged him 1st place, making this his fourth win of the year. 2nd place went to Ferdie Sia who set a time of 1:52.704 while in 3rd was Andrew De Asis with his 1:53.480 lap.

Sydney Sarmiento in his new AEM-Blanche Honda Integra set the quickest time in Bracket B by a mere 0.029 sec. Missing out on 1st place was Gabby Sohu in the PAGCOR/Zenium/Gerco-sponsored Honda who set a time of 1:56.187. Close behind in 3rd was Ed Christian Go clocking in at 1:56.311.

Another Blanche Racing driver stood on the top spot of the podium in Bracket C. Joey Howard finished ahead of Aaron Lao in 2nd and Paolo Lofamia in 3rd. Meanwhile, Miggy Sohu in the other PAGCOR/Zenium/Gerco-sponsored Honda was victorious in Bracket D setting a best lap of 2:02.162. Sherwin Bargos maintains his championship lead by finishing ahead of Polo Bautista in 3rd.

Bracket E saw Romualdo Vasquez take 1st place followed by Zebedee Mendoza and John Benedict Carbonel in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. AR Lanting had a clean 2:08.041 run to top Bracket F. Trailing behind were Lars Alonzo and Michael Angelo Turing were were both less than a second adrift.

Marc Macas may have won in Bracket G, but 2nd placer Robert Tan is the biggest winner in the group as he further extends his championship lead. In 3rd was Mark Pascual driving the BYD F0 micro car.

Dominic Bon set a blistering 1:50.350 time to win in Bracket R where Eduardo Suiza and Ferdie Sia had to settle for the last spots on the podium. Finally, Michael Angelo Turing was the fastest driver in Grupo Toyota while John Boban dominated The Perfect Lap.

Grid Races

The GT Radial Grid A race was a 4-way battle between Rafael La’o, Eduardo Suiza, Ferdie Sia, and Dominique Bon. Suiza and Sia were gunning for the lead in the opening stages of the 9-lap race, but a late charge from La’o allowed him to shoot up to 1st place. La’o would cross the finish line with a 7.652 sec lead over Suiza in 2nd and Sia in 3rd.

It was a lonely race for Gabby Sohu in the Smart Fuels Grid B race. Teammates Ed Christian Go and Sydney Sarmiento made contact during the start and had to retire. This allowed Sohu to claim an easy win and extended his lead in the championship.

The combined Buddy Club Grid D and Works Bell Grid E race formed a huge 19-car field. Leading the pack were Grid D drivers Sherwin Bargos and Robbie Alvarez who were locked together throughout the 8-lap race. Bargos would eventually take 1st place by a small 0.194 sec gap over Alvarez. Trailing behind in 3rd was Michael Suiza. As for Grid E, Anthony Richard Lanting took a comfortable win, finishing ahead of 2nd placer Leo Candava and 3rd placer Romualdo Vasquez.

The GT Radial FlatOut Race Series (FORS) now heads for the season finale on October 22, 2016 at the Clark International Speedway.