Wild weather shortens exciting Giti Formula V1 race weekend

Gono and Smith take top spots in respective classes for Formula V1 Challenge

Nature, it seems, isn't a big fan of racing as torrential rains soaked out the second round of the Giti Formula V1 Challenge at the Clark International Speedway this past weekend. 

The Giti Formula V1 Challenge is a single-seater, one-make racing series organized by Tuason Racing School with the race cars made by West Cars Japan. 14 race cars make up the grids for the Professional (PRO) and Amateur (AM) classes of the series.

While the racers from both classes were more than ready to take on the daunting elements at racing speed, the light drizzle at the start progressed to become a full-on downpour. The weather changes prompted officials to impose a full course yellow by the fifth lap. Upon completion of 50% of the race distance and with inclement weather not letting up, the officials concluded the race while awarding the full points as per the rules.

Cleanfuel's Luis Gono won the race for the PRO class, followed by Valenzuela councilor Tyson Sy in 2nd place. Toyota Balintawak-Obengers driver Daniel Miranda rounded out the podium in third place. The race was the young Gono's first win in Formula V1.

In the AM class, Sean Smith had engine problems before qualifying that required him to do a lot of work on the track. Despite starting last, Smith drove up the order up to fourth overall just behind the top three PRO drivers and taking the win in the AM class. Parts Pro’s Shane Henderson and Growl- Thule Racing’s Jussi Hoika completed the top three in the AM class, respectively.

In the remaining races for the third leg of the Giti Formula V1 Challenge on October 26 and 27, drivers will be awarded double points, giving them more chances to win a race seat at Fuji Speedway to compete with Japan’s finest Formula V1 (or Vita Trophy as popularly known in Japan) racers in November this year. 

The country’s only single seater formula racing series is organized by Tuason Racing School (TRS) and supported by Giti Tires Philippines, Cleanfuel, Motul, Rota, OMP, AEG Powertools, Tuason Racing School, West Racing Cars Japan, as well as media partners Philippine Daily Inquirer, C! Magazine, Autoindustriya.com, Autocar, Wheelsph.com.