Tiu, Quimpo open title defense in drag race

MANILA, Philippines — Multititled Jonathan Tiu and Ryan Quimpo gird up for their respective title defense as the 2018 National Drag Racing Championships gets going with its Northern Series today at Clark International Speedway at Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

Tiu opens defense of his Northern Series Quick 8 title like Quimpo in the M&H Pro category in the kickoff of the four-leg races, the twin competition of the Southern Series held at Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

Practice and qualifying runs in six divisions – Quick 8, Super Pro, Pro, Expert, Sportsman and Hotstreet – fire off at 7 a.m. today while the final races are set tomorrow also from 7 a.m.

The Quickest 8 Class counts only the fastest eight drivers in qualifying, while the Super Pro is for drivers with clockings of 10.99 seconds and quicker.

The other time-bracketed divisions are Pro (11.00 to 12.49 secs), Expert (12.50 to 13.99), Sportsman (14.00 to 15.99), and Hotstreet (16 secs and slower).

The driver with the best combined points from the Northern Series and Southern Series after all eight legs will be crowned national champion.

The highest pointer overall in the Pro Class will clinch the National Drag Racer of the Year title and the Golden Wheel Award for Drag Racing for 2018.