MANILA, Philippines - Ford-TRS Racing Team guns for another feat behind ace driver Stuart MacDonald and rookie Manger Calderon this weekend in the third leg of the Philippine Production Car Championship at the Subic International Raceway.
Calderon, who is running second overall, will try to clinch the crown as he tries to outpace points leader Doby Atilano, who was also the top rival of 2008 Group 3 champion MacDonald last year.
The two drivers are expected to increase the level of excitement as they go side-by-side on the racetrack for the Ford-TRS Racing Team powered by Ford Racing, Goodyear Racing, Standard Insurance, OMP, Discovery Suite, Yellow Cab, Aguila Auto Glass, BusinessWorld, C! Magazine, Fremuff, Dupont, Starbright Bodykits, Ultra Racing, Toptul, Orange Electronics, Rota Wheels, K&N, Unichip and Philippine Auto Club.
MacDonald is the reigning PPCC champion and hopes to stage a big comeback after months of absence in the circuit racing scene. Serving as a stand-in for Veli-Matti Kaikkonen, he will try to prove his competitive skills as he faces old rivals.
“I’ll still have to shrug off some rust as I had been more active in drifting,” said MacDonald. “But seriously, this will bring back memories of my struggles last year as I try to prove I still got what it takes to be the champion.”
Calderon, a former jetski champ and top motocross rider, is more keen on winning the race after two runner-up finishes against veteran rivals in the last leg.
Though a rookie in circuit racing, he was hitting an impressive laptime of 1:38.3 as Calderon now moves up second overall in the Philippine Production Car Championship.
“I’ll try to surpass my feat in the last leg and aspire for the big win this time. It may be tough going up against talented and more experienced rivals but winning is not impossible,” said Calderon.
“We’re hoping this year will be another breakthrough season for the Ford-TRS Racing team as we try to maintain our role as a dominant force in PPCC through the championship racing heritage of the Ford Focus,” said TRS president JP Tuason.