We’re peeking into the garages of the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge drivers to see what our racers like to drive in their personal time. It’s the all-stock duo of Ensport/Fourth Floor Racing’s Stefan Ramirez! Before his JDM special though, let’s look at the unassuming daily driver half of the Formula V1 racer’s combo: a manual 2012 Hyundai Accent.

What’s the story behind the car?
It’s been roughly two years of owning it. It was an ex-Uber car, barely got used, got it super cheap, and I picked it really because of the price and it’s just an A-to-B car.

What are the pros and cons of owning it?
Maintenance is easy and its very low-key running around the city. It really doesn’t use much gas to get around. Sometimes I wish it had more power, but it’s zippy enough to use around the city. Also wish I got the diesel, more torque and cheaper fuel!

Have you changed anything on it?
No mods! Manufacturers put a lot of time and money into developing a car, modifying it would require also more maintenance. So I like to keep it simple.

Most memorable drive?
I haven’t really taken it anywhere, I’d say my most memorable memory was in the rain going downhill and I locked the rear so I could enter the gate of our house sideways. It’s light and has small tires–it’s fun to handbrake turn it in the rain and play with the rear of the car!

It’s the ultimate pairing of plain daily driver with rare weekend car for Ramirez, as his silver Honda wears that legendary red badge. And he’s managed to keep it fresh. How do you keep yourself from driving a car like this everyday? Well, being a HPDE instructor probably helps!

Give us the geeky details on it
It’s a 2001 Honda DC5 Type R. Manual and runs the K20A. The car was brought in from Japan by a family friend then converted to LHD with Acura RSX parts for the conversion. It’s been in the family for more than four years now. It’s at 150,000km on the odometer but that’s from its time in Japan.

Everything is all stock Type R, even the shocks are still Type R, It also came with the Brembos and Type R interior. Fun car–it handles well and has good low end torque before you get to the VTEC which just makes it scream!

Will you ever mod?
Again, it’s all stock and I like to keep it that way as everyone seems to modify them. From the factory the car is great, so having everything up to the manufacturers standards is still the best way to keep a car.

If I did though–probably KW coilovers, nice offset lightweight mags, and maybe poly bushings.

What’s it like driving a real deal Type R?
It’s easy to get up to speed and runs a close gear ratio so you go through the gears quick! The K20A is pretty much bulletproof in its stick form so I haven’t had issues there! I do wish it didn’t need to be converted, original LHD/RHD is still better. Also you end up shifting a lot with the six-speed, ha ha!

I don’t have one specific fond memory with the car, but I do have to say, in our line of work I’m given the opportunity to try a lot of different cars and whenever I sit back in the Integra, it never ceases to make me smile! It has such a good car to driver connection that sometimes I do prefer driving it over some brand new cars. It just gives so much feel. Honda really made a great car with this one!

Do you think owning a legit Type R makes you a lord amongst Honda Boys?
Sadly, no, I don’t think I’m a Honda lord for driving a Type R, ha ha! It’s just a basic car eh! And a lot of people are bigger fans than me!

Aside from brand-new versus used, it’s the next biggest buyer’s dilemma: all stock garage queen or already loaded with pricy mods and mileage on the odometer?

When shopping for a used performance car, those two options are often priced close to each other as well, making it a tough decision. With his experience with both sports cars and modifying, JP tells us which one he’d rather buy in the latest episode of #askjptuason!

We’re peeking into the garages of the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge drivers to see what our racers like to drive in their personal time. First up is A. Line Autosport’s Shane Henderson and his “full mental” track-spec Bugeye!

What’s the story behind the car?
I bought the car secondhand over ten years ago and used it as a daily driver for about three to four years, I had done a few mods while using it as a daily driver but nothing over the top.

I chose the Subie as my brother had a performance shop specializing in the brand–I was actually with him when I saw the car for sale, thirty minutes later, I owned the car!

What was the inspiration to go all-out in building it?
About five years ago I entered a club race at Clark and by the end of the day I had destroyed the engine–that’s when the money pit opened and the major mods started happening!

Was that the first race of the car?
Yes, the very first race I blew up the engine–and two more times after that. The first two engines had ringland failures. I am starting on engine #4 today. All work and modding on the car is done myself.

ENGINE

• EJ20 with 2.2L Cosworth stroker kit
• Cosworth cams
• Cosworth dry sump
• Process West inlet manifold
• Killer B EL headers
• Custom-mount Garrett GTX3076R turbo
• Custom FMIC and radiator
• Haltech Elite 2500 ECU

“There are also a lot of top-end parts from Roger Clark Motorsport in the UK. The exhaust cam wheels are titanium adjustable, I had to change to titanium parts as the sequential gearbox sheared the center out of the previous cams–because the gear change is so quick and savage it was whipping the timing belt and sheared the cam wheel and bent all the valves!”

Henderson also has a hi-flow in-tank fuel pump and twin external pumps all feeding a fuel surge tank to supply “enough fuel for the beast.”

TRANSMISSION

• Samsonas Motorsport 6-speed dogbox with straight cut gears
• Cusco adjustable plated differentials front and rear

“I only need the clutch to leave the starting line, afterwards I can flatshift while changing up the gears. But going down I do need to lift off and use the clutch too.” A paddle shift system will eventually be added.

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES

• Ohlins adjustable coilovers
• Whiteline adjustable sway bars
• Wisefab front and rear drop knuckles and 5×114 wheel hubs
• Custom rear trailing arms and lateral links
• Compbrake 350mm 6-pot fronts and 330mm 4-pot rears
• Custom pedal box and remote reservoirs
• Handbrake replaced with line lock
• 18×10 wheels

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

• Custom FIA-spec full weld-in cage
• Sabelt racing seat with 6-pt harness
• Racepak electronic logging dash
• Nine Lives Racing 72″ alloy wing

“A big effort has been made to remove anything from the shell that is not structural or functional, I’m aiming for a race ready weight of 1200kg.” To that end, a tube-chassis front end and Lexan window replacement will be done in the future. For the exterior, a custom splitter and diffuser combo with a full flat underbody is planned, along with 60mm fender flares.

What compelled you to stick with the car even after three blown engines?
I have always liked the Subaru and have become very attached to this car. Every time I blow the engine, I don’t think of selling it, it has become a personal challenge to make the car better and faster. No way will I let the car get the better of me!

What’s the end goal for the Bugeye?
Once tuned and running 25psi+ of boost it should be at least 500+ wheel horsepower. But the most important is to beat the Hondas, ha ha!

With two-thirds of the season complete after an epic Round 2 at Clark International Speedway, this is how the official rankings of the 2019 Giti-Formula V1 Challenge looks so far:

With a seat to race at Suzuka versus the V1 and Vita drivers of Japan at stake, our competitors will be eagerly looking forward to either cementing their lead or catching up with the double-points system of Round 3! The rewards at CIS on October 19-20 will be as follows:

• 1st – 40
• 2nd – 30
• 3rd – 24
• 4th – 20
• 5th – 16
• 6th – 12
• 7th – 8
• 8th – 6
• 9th – 4
• 10th – 2

Last year’s champion, Luis Gono, took full advantage of the double points and charged up the rankings in Round 3, coming from third overall and clinching the top spot by a single point. That was after battling it out from the rear due to the final round’s added twist of a reverse-grid system as well.

It looks like 2019 is going to be just like our first: it’s truly not over until the last checkered flag in this series–see you in October!

Phoenix Pulse together with Tuason Racing presents the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge

Sponsored by: West Race Cars Japan, OMP, AEG Powertools, Phoenix Accelerate, Rota, Eurasia

Media Partners: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Autocar, Wheels PH, James Deakin, C! Mag, AutoIndustriya, ESPN5

Tuason Racing’s vision for the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge is for the series to serve as a stepping stone to develop Filipino talents into global racing champions. This season has shown rapid progress from several of the V1 drivers in line with that goal, but the most inspiring example would be series presenter Phoenix PULSE and its Young Driver’s Program winner Raffy Rabe grabbing a first-ever podium finish in the second race of Round 2! Here are the thoughts of the rising star about his race experience at Clark.

How did it feel to grab third place in Race 5?
It was a very surreal feeling and also a humbling experience! That was my first time to get a podium finish for the season and it feels really good since I didn’t have a lot of practice time. The week before, I got into an incident and damaged the car, so I only had around 1-2 practices before Saturday. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be my last podium!

Race 5 was dry, but 4 and 6 were semi-wet races, were they a first-time experience for you?
Actually, I was already able to race in the wet at CIS before–although not in the V1 but in my BRZ a year ago. So there wasn’t really a big adjustment because I know what I’m supposed to do when the track is wet.There is a lot of loss in terms of grip, so you’ll have to throttle later, and brake earlier than usual. The line will also be different because in Clark, for most of the corners, the apex is usually really wet with standing water–so you avoid that. Because of those, I had to be a lot more patient and wait for the perfect time to attack.

All the other drivers were being cautious as well, so it was a lot harder to attack because a small mistake can lead into spinning out or crashing. I finished 4th place in AM class but I accidentally overtook someone while the safety car was out, so I was brought down to 5th.

It seems like your racing knowledge has really improved, was there anything in particular about your Round 2 driving that you were happy about?
There was a huge improvement from the races before–the proper lines, braking, throttle control, and everything else! My best time in practice was 2:15 and it improved a lot to a 2:13 [during the actual race] so I knew I was doing a lot better, especially in terms of braking and going into multiple corners like the first turn.

Comparing it to the prior races, I was actually being left behind by most of the other drivers, but then, in races 5 and 6, it was evident that I was able to keep up with the competition and eventually was able to bag that 3rd place!

The racers will be heading back to Clark for Round 3, and now that Rabe has experienced actual V1 competition on the track, his progress and development will surely take another big step at the final round.

The Giti-Formula V1 Challenge returns to CIS on October 20-21!

“Will it rain?” was the big question coming into the second round of the GITI-Formula V1 Challenge, presented by Tuason Racing and Phoenix Pulse and also supported by West Race Cars Japan, OMP, AEG Powertools, Phoenix Accelerate, Rota, Oakley, Eurasia and Don Papa Rhum.

Coming in as another supporter is Eurasia Motorsports. They have provided a special testing at Sepang, Malaysia on board a Formula Masters car for one of 2019’s winners. This significant opportunity achieves the goal of Formula V1 to provide a complete stepping stone for Filipino Racers to compete in global motorsports.

So with the 2nd leg of the series being a pivot point for race leaders as they compete for a chance to race in Suzuka, Japan in December against the Formula V1 or Vita champions of Japan, a slippery race in the rain was surely something they wanted to avoid.

Saturday Rains

While the weather held for the first QTT session of the weekend–letting young phenom Alex Brown grab pole position with a 2:11.391 time, despite this being his first competition at CIS–a strong downpour occurred during practice that cut the sessions short. While there were fears that the race wouldn’t push through, it abruptly stopped early enough that the opening Race 4 would be contested on a semi-damp track.

The slick conditions didn’t slow down the reigning series leaders though, as Ryo Yamada of Cleanfuel Racing Team and Alex Brown of AEG-Toyota Balintawak Obengers held onto first in the Pro and AM Classes respectively. Estefano Rivera of Toyota Otis Obengers finished in 2nd, and Stefan Ramirez of Ensport/Fourth Floor Racing claimed 3rd in Pro–a result that mirrored their rankings in QTT. In AM Class, Red Diwa of OTR Racing claimed 2nd place and was joined by CRT’s Dominic Roque for his first taste of the podium as the racing celeb finished 3rd–on his birthday, no less. An excellent finish considering he started back in 13th place.

Sunday Surprises

Race 5 claimed several casualties as Stefan Ramirez went wide on the first lap and was unable to finish, while Alex Brown locked up and ended his race off-track as well. This opened the door for Estefano Rivera to edge Ryo Yamada out to win 1st place by less than a second–despite the Japanese driver reeling off the fastest lap of the session. Raymond Ronquillo of Frontrow Racing Team rounded off the top three in the Pro Class.

In the AM Class, Red Diwa moved up to 1st, followed by Shane Henderson of A.Line Autosport and another podium debut: Phoenix’s Pulse Young Driver Winner, Raffy Rabe finished in 3rd, continuing his rapid progression. After a late start to his race season and lack of testing due to an off track excursion in practice Raffy is starting to show the potential that was seen during the selection process for the Phoenix young driver program.

Race steward Rupert Crook was especially pleased with proceedings, stating that “it was a clean race with battles all over the field. No penalties and no problems–which is what we like to see!”

During the final race of the weekend, the grid looked like they had comfortably settled into their positions–until the safety car came out for the recovery of Red Diwa who spun out and was stranded in a blind area of the track. With everyone back to square one, Ryo Yamada pushed Estefano Rivera hard to take first place. However, with three laps to go, the drizzle intensified into a heavy shower and Rivera decided to go for glory. He successfully overtook the Japanese driver in the hairpin and took home first place. Stefan Ramirez, who started at the back after his DNF, climbed back up to finish in 3rd. Three lead exchanges in a race that ended extremely strong.

Post-Race Interviews

With a golden opportunity to close their points gap in the final race, Rivera said that, “I was thinking that if I don’t overtake him when it rained [that was it.] I had to take the opportunity. The person in front wouldn’t know the track–if it was wet on the racing line, or when to brake–so I just went for it. In the championship standings we’re pretty close, so I went all in.”

Alex Brown also recovered, gaining 12 places in the first turn, and finished in 1st despite breaking his second gear later in the lap. “That was a pretty good corner!” And when asked how far along he’d rate his progress on using a manual transmission is, he candidly said that, “Well, I’m still 16 and have never driven a manual before this! So I’d say maybe 20%, I have a long way to go.”

Dominic Roque returned to the podium in 2nd, while Shane Henderson slipped to 3rd. Roque credited his finish to the weather because according to him, “Everyone would have a hard time with a wet race, and that makes me feel comfortable kasi equal kaming lahat.” Series veteran Henderson was also unbothered by conditions but conceded that his AM Class competitor simply had the better of him, “we raced in real torrential conditions last year, this was just a bit of rain [in comparison]! But then Dom got past and I couldn’t catch him. I nearly hit him a few times and I thought it’s not worth taking us both out. Better to just take it home and finish in third than not at all!”

With Round 3 featuring double points and a reverse-grid, anything could still happen as the drivers aim to win the championship and the coveted seat at Suzuka Circuit in Japan.

The Giti-Formula V1 Challenge returns to CIS in October! Check out http://www.tuasonracing.com and our Media Partners: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Autocar, Wheels PH, James Deakin, C! Mag, AutoIndustriya, and ESPN5 for more details

With a best result of 3rd in Round 1 of the 2019 Giti-Formula V1 Challenge, Growl-Thule’s Jussi Hoikka is ready to challenge for the top of the podium in the Pro Class when the action moves to Clark International Speedway this weekend!

And in first leg of the Vios Circuit Championship’s Sporting Class, Growl-Thule’s Red Diwa took home a best result of 2nd in Race 2. He took home 3rd and 4th in Race 1 and 3 respectively. Diwa will surely be aiming for the top spot in the next leg as well!

Growl Corporation is one of the largest developers and distributors of first-class OEM in-dash Audio, Video and Navigation (AVN) systems. Our product, the Growl Audio Head Unit is customized for different car models.

Thule Sport & Cargo Systems, on the other hand, is exclusively distributed by Tow & Stow Industries, Inc. They are an importer, distributor, and manufacturer of vehicle towing products such as hitch receivers (TOTALHITCH™ brand), trailers (TOTALTRAILERS™ brand) and accessories.

Phoenix Pulse together with Tuason Racing presents the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge 2019. Supported by Giti Tires Philippines, West Race Cars Japan, OMP, AEG Powertools, Phoenix Accelerate, Oakley, Rota with Media Partners Philippine Daily Inquirer, Autocar, Wheels PH, Jamesdeakin.ph, C! Mag, AutoIndustriya, ESPN5

Standing on top of the charts in the AM Class and third overall in the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge, it’s probably safe to say things have gone better than expected for Alex Brown of the AEG-Toyota Balintawak Obengers racing team.

The 16-year old Fil-Singaporean karting champ has a strong background in competition, having raced since he was eight, but he reiterated that it’s still a very new experience for him to be racing in a Formula V1 car versus a kart.

“I would say it’s like a totally different sport–you have to deal with the suspension, shifting, heel and toe…even beginning from a standing start which I’m not used to, I feel like I still have a lot to learn!”

After dominating his class in Round 1, he shared post-race that, “For this weekend I feel like I was able to do my best to translate everything I learned from go-karts… I came into this weekend with no expectations! I just wanted to learn as much as I can, because it’s a long season ahead. The wins are a bonus I’m happy about!”

Asked if the pace was comparable to his karting days, Brown exclaimed, “Oh yeah, much faster than karting. before on a track walk it would just be about lines, now I have to think what gear I need to be in this corner!”

After calling BRC an “interesting” track due to its tight, bumpy constraints, Brown will be returning to the site of his first-ever drive in the V1: Clark International Speedway. A more familiar setting, but he isn’t taking it for granted: “We’re reviewing a lot of Go-Pro footage from Round 1. To learn everything I can use for the next couple of legs!”

Will Alex Brown make it to the top spot and head to Suzuka? He has to win at Round 2 at CIS on July 20-21 first!

Phoenix Pulse together with Tuason Racing presents the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge
Sponsored by: West Race Cars Japan, OMP, AEG Powertools, Phoenix Accelerate, Rota
Media Partners: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Autocar, Wheels PH, James Deakin, C! Mag, AutoIndustriya, ESPN5

We’re going racing this weekend!

For Round 2, the country’s first homegrown-formula series is heading up to Clark International Speedway on July 20-21. A wider track compared to Round 1 at the Batangas Racing Circuit, expect daring moves from drivers looking to climb up the points!

The first set of races has shown that Formula V1 is doing well as the flagship series in the rebuilding of Philippine motorsports: the grid is full of new talent! And being a “spec” formula where every team runs exactly the same cost-effective and easy to maintain vehicle, driver skill is the most important aspect–and it’s shown in the standings so far:

AM Class

1. Alex Brown AEG-Toyota Balintawak Obengers – 36
2. Red Diwa OTR Racing – 14
3. Shane Henderson A.Line Autosport – 7
4. Bryan Co Giti Racing Team – 5
5. Dominic Roque Cleanfuel Racing Team – 2
6. Raffy Rabe Phoenix Pulse Racing Team – 2
7. Francesco Dino Edgesport Racing Team – 1
8. Jerry Choi One Formula Racing Team –
9. Masanori Aya West Racing Japan –
10. Jon Effinger AP Corse –

Young karting champion Alex Brown leads the pack after his triple of first-place finishes in Round 1–will he be able to hold off the pack at CIS?

PRO Class

1. Ryo Yamada Cleanfuel Racing Team – 48
2. Estefano Rivera Toyota Otis Obengers – 45
3. Raymond Ronquillo Frontrow Racing Team – 27
4. Stefan Ramirez Ensport/Fourth Floor Racing – 25
5. Jussi Hoikka Growl Thule Racing – 24
6. Gaby Dela Merced Glutamax M1 Racing Team – 7
7. Paolo Mantolino Partspro Racing –

With the top 4 trading podium places throughout the first round, the rest of the Pro Class will be eager to break up the party at the top! And with three races over the weekend, there are a lot of points up for grabs during Round 2’s action. See you all at CIS this weekend!

Phoenix Pulse together with Tuason Racing presents the Giti-Formula V1 Challenge
Sponsored by: West Race Cars Japan, OMP, AEG Powertools, Phoenix Accelerate, Rota
Media Partners: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Autocar, Wheels PH, James Deakin, C! Mag, AutoIndustriya, ESPN5

A race winner of the 2019 Giti-Formula V1 Challenge now has an additional prize to drive for: a chance to test in a Formula Masters car at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit from our new sponsors Eurasia Motorsport!

Founded in 2003, the Philippines-based outfit started as the Minardi Formula 1 Junior Team and competed in the Formula BMW Asia Series for two years. Over the course of the succeeding decade, they’ve garnered 40 championship titles in the region in competitions such as Asian Le Mans, Formula 3, V6 Asia, Formula Masters China, and the GT Asia Series.

A racing team and driver-development outfit, Eurasia provides opportunities for drivers to compete in the entry-level Formula Masters Series with the goal of moving up to LMP3/2 and works-GT teams. Famous graduates? How about F1’s Daniel Ricciardo, Marlon Stockinger, and our very own Daniel Miranda who currently competes in the TCR Asia Series under their banner.

We’re glad to have Eurasia Motorsports on board in time for Round 2 at CIS! And we hear they’re also raring to join the grid in 2020 as well!