TRS Ford Lynx Cup Novice Series begins, Blanco leads

THE 2005 TRS (Tuason Racing School) Ford Lynx Cup Novice Series sponsored by Ford Racing, Addict Mobile, eStandard Insurance, Petron Ultron, Ambi Pur Car, Red Horse Beer, Loctite, Rota, Goodyear, Alpinestars, TRSAD, Oakley, AF3, Manila Speedzone, H&R, Starbright body kits, C! Magazine, Trapik.com, Philippine Star, Magic 89.9 and Epson, delivered on its promise of action-packed, close quarter racing as eight rookies in identical TRS-prepared Ford Lynx touring cars brought out squeals and screams from the crowd that gathered on October 1 and 2 at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC).

Three races were held last weekend with Francisco Blanco winning rounds one and three, while Matteo Guidicelli captured round two. Excitement came aplenty as the drivers went at each other around the BRC's short course.

Round one saw Blanco start from pole position with Guidicelli a few meters behind. From the first corner, the leading pair began a race-long duel that saw them take turns at the lead four times. As the field sped away, TV host turned race driver Jinno Rufino was left idling on the starting grid after failing to react to the starting lights but was able to continue several seconds later. Blanco eventually prevailed over Guidicelli at the checkered flag with Vic Nodalo coming home third.

In round two, the starting grid was arranged in reverse order of the final classification of the previous race. This proved to be no problem for Guidicelli, who shot up from third to first at the start. Blanco was able to keep up, however, and the pair kept up a furious pace with Guidicelli and Blanco swapping the lead twice. With the end of the eight-lap race nearing, Ken Boren came from nowhere and moved up into second place and broke up the fight between Guidicelli and Blanco. Regaining his composure, Blanco retook second place from Boren as Guidicelli pulled away for the win.

Round three was Blanco's as he led from start to finish. Guidicelli tried to chase him down but, in so doing, ran over a pylon that earned him a time penalty. Boren, meanwhile, was held up by Nodalo before making it to third. With one lap left, Boren had closed in on Guidicelli, who went wide on the exit of last turn. Boren took advantage of the error to finish in second place. Due to his time penalty, Guidicelli was relegated to fourth behind Nodalo. Rufino, meanwhile, who was off the pace all weekend, surprised everyone by dropping five seconds of his time to become the most improved driver of the race.

Blanco now leads the TRS Ford Lynx Cup Novice Series with 28 points. Guidicelli lies in second with 23 points ahead of Boren with 20, Nodalo with 16, Norman Agojo with 11, Aaron Uy with 10, Rufino with 5 and Jiffy Chua with 4.

The series resumes on November 5 to 6 at the Batangas Racing Circuit.