Top racers gear up for Clark showdown

MANILA, Philippines - Top contenders go for crucial wins as they step up their respective title bids in the Bridgestone Philippine Superbikes Championships, the Philippine Scooter Racing Championships and the Philippine Underbone King Championships this Sunday at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Raniel Resuello of Kawasaki Racing Team-Castrol-Motolite tries to seal this year’s Superbikes crown while Anthony Roman of Castrol-Dudshop shoots for a back-to-back Underbone King romp in the Philippine Underbone King Championships.

Miko Erich Montano, on the other hand, faces tough challenge as he seeks for the overall crown in the Philippine Scooter Racing Championships.

The events are sanctioned by the Superbikes Racing Association, the Underbone and Scooters Racing Association and supported by FDR, the official tires.

Resuello, 22, has registered four wins and a runner-up finish in the series for 122 points or 22 points ahead of Anthony Roman.

Marvin Mangulabnan is in third overall with 96 points with Toti Alberto of Ducatti-Access Plus and John Defensor taking the next two places, respectively.

Resuello is also eyeing both the SBK Expert and Intermediate crowns. 

Alberto, meanwhile, goes for the SBK Masters title over Defensor while Roman, with 119 points, braces for a showdown with Mangulabnan, who has 114 points, for the SBK Novice crown.

Roman will also have teammate Nino Fabian and Mangulabnan as chief rivals for the Underbone King diadem as they stay within striking distance with 100 and 99 points, respectively.

Michael Altamira is also set to formally claim the Underbone 130cc Open title with 107 points, 27 points ahead of Allen Mendez.

James Aldrin Mendez, who has 100 points, needs the win for the 115cc Open title over Gerald Cruz while Vrei-AR Suba enjoys a 10-point lead over Hajime Tadachi in the battle for the 115cc Novice crown.

Despite his loss in the last leg, Montano remains in the hunt for the premiere 180cc Scooter plum against JVT teammate Arlan de la Cruz and Benjo Mendoza, and the 160cc Open Scooters title against Marvin Marquez and Romer Corbe.

For details, contact the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 729-72 41-42, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766, Mobile # 0922 8858410 or like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ Batangas Racing Circuit.