Subic was hot but the Auto Rally was hotter

The flag off of this year’s STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge (ARCC) last Saturday in Subic was done in scourging heat but the actual rally was a lot “hotter”, what with a route stretching a distance of more than a hundred kilometers that was designed to keep each member of the rally crew from the driver, route navigator to the time navigator at their toes all the time lest a checkpoint is missed for an automatic 300 demerits—a virtual “kiss goodbye” to the championship trophy.   

The impressively flashy starting grid saw a total of 37 latest models of car brands Audi, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Lexus, MINI, Nissan, SsangYong, Subaru and Tata manned by a total of 110 rally enthusiasts composed of drivers, route pilots and time navigators.

Although quite a number of teams decided to check in the night before to promptly answer the early call time of the event (with or without a hangover), those that decided to just leave early to come all the way from the metro just couldn’t make on time due to a twin of traffic-halting accidents in the tollways, which caused an almost standstill for nearly an hour. In fairness to those affected by the uncontrollable situation the flag off ceremonies was moved to start at around half past 10 o’clock in the morning—at that time the sun was almost blistering.

From the flag off, done with the assistance of Mr. Bong Eisma, representing SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma, which was at the vast parking area of the Harbor Point Mall, the rally route designed by the tandem of veteran rally and race driver Georges Ramirez (of the legendary Ramirez Racing Clan) with wife Caroline and IT expert Patrick Chua brought the elite group of “on time, all the time” rally enthusiasts all the way up to scenic Mount Samat in Bataan.

This year’s Sampaguita Rally was the longest yet. It made past Lexus-Manila president, Danny “Sir John” Isla waiting in bated breath together with SsangYong Philippines managing director, Dave “Mr. Mac” Macasadia joined by the acknowledged captain of the Lexus Rally Team, syndicated sports columnist and motoring writer, Al ‘Sir Paul” Mendoza and motoring writer, Vernon Sarne with nerves soothed by bottles of ‘single malts’ while eagerly anticipating the return of their respective rally teams.      

And when the rally crews finally started to tickle in for the much-deserved late launch unending stories of exciting experiences of miscues, remarkable time calculations and intuitive route navigation began to unfold. This is the other exciting half of the rally—the sharing of experiences, newfound knowledge and the like.

Revelation time comes next week during the much-awaited Awards Night—the moment of truth—did you make it “on time, all the time?”

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments email [email protected]