Calma takes overall title in Vios Cup

CLARK, Philippines – Andres Calma of GM Motorsport, last year’s Vios Cup overall champion, immediately flexed his muscles in the Season 3 opener and put up a winning performance in the first race yesterday at the Clark International Speedway.

Calma, son of PBA legend Hector, overtook early pacesetter Estafano Rivera of Toyota Alabang in the fourth lap and sustained his blistering pace in the remaining eight to top all comers in the kickoff race of elite Super Sporting Class.

Gaining from extra practices during the off-season at the track that always challenged him in the past, the 20-year-old Calma negotiated the route in 29:22.732, checking in 7.740 ahead of  former teammate Rivera. Pole sitter Daniel Miranda of Obengers settled for third with 29:30.758.

“It felt great to get to win the first race of the season. It’s tough and I’m happy I was able to pull it off,” said Calma, whose feat was witnessed by dad Hector and mom Ines. “Everything worked as I wanted it to, the car handled well and I just drove the best I could.”

He finally cracked Clark’s course.

“I’m just happy I got enough practice in here, (getting a better feel on) proper line, breaking points, and everything,” said Calma, who managed only third and fifth in two races here in 2015.

Allan Uy of Toyota Quezon Avenue spoiled Calma’s bid for a golden double as he beat the latter in a pulsating neck-to-neck battle for Race 2 honors. 

After momentarily yielding the lead to Calma, Uy got back in front in the eighth lap and expertly parried the former’s attempts in the windup. Uy clocked 36:11.512 against Calma’s 36:11.772 and Miranda’s 36:12.500.

“I really wanted to win it for my team,” said Uy, fourth placer only in the morning race. “My younger rivals were very fast drivers but I think the 30K weight penalty they got for winning earlier somehow leveled things up.”

Under threat from a charging Calma, Uy said he played it strategic coming home. “I was trying to go as fast as I can but Calma was fast. Everytime we entered corners, I just wanted to defend, gauge his move, and counter-attack. I was able to defend first place. It was a fun race.”

Paolo Rodriguez of Toyota San Fernando and Miguel Diaz of GM Motorsport split honors in the Bridgestone Sporting Class. Rodriguez ruled Race 1 with 30:03.889 over Miko Maristela (30:08.058) and Sean Velasco (30:06.279) in Race 1 while Diaz reigned in the second race with 29:57.722 over Velasco (30:02.755) and Maristela (30:04.614).

Sportscaster Jinno Rufino of TMP swept the two races in Rota Promotional and Celebrity Classes with winning times of 31:47.901 and 30:45.485. Marc Martinez (31:33.882) and Oscar Suarez ((30:47:878) took turns topping the Rota Promotional category.