Philippine National Rally Championship revives dirt racing in Nueva Ecija

FOLLOWING the season opener in Tarlac, the Philippine National Rally Championship 2024 moved to Nueva Ecija for the second round of the series. Hosted by the Philippine Rallycross Series in partnership with the Automobile Association Philippines, the rice granary of the Philippines served as the battleground for 12 teams of rally drivers and navigators, all vying to clock the fastest time.

Dubbed the «Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija Rally,» the second round of the national rally championship covered a total rally distance of 131 kilometers (km). With eight special stages set along various inner barangay roads of Cabanatuan and Palayan, the intense dirt racing action spanned over 40 km of total special stage distance. The rally was officially flagged off at the provincial capitol of Nueva Ecija in Palayan City.

«Nueva Ecija has been one of the iconic locations for rallies during the sport's heyday. Being able to once again hold a rally in the province solidifies the return of this beloved motorsport,» said PHRX Director Olson Camacho.

After covering over a hundred kilometers of rally terrain, nearly the entire grid finished the event. Eleven teams completed the rally and posted official times.

Mark Desales, together with co-driver Ricxie de la Cruz, was crowned Group 1 class champions with a total time of 36:19 in their E11 Corolla. JP Polintan and Mon Lahoz secured second place with a time of 37:16 in their second-gen Vios rally car, while Rolando Tecson and Regino Cruz, also racing a Vios rally car, completed the Group 1 podium in third place with a time of 40:46.

Group 2 was won by Louie Camacho and navigator John Rey San Diego in their E11 Corolla rally car, clocking a time of 31:06. Defending overall champion Paul Santos and DJ De Guzman finished second with a time of 33:28 in their Civic EK rally car.

In Group 3, rally first-timer Adrian de Leon and co-driver Gerald Lim claimed the championship with a time of 32:53 in their Corolla E11. Edsel de Dios and navigator Devor Andres placed second, clocking in at 38:12 in their Civic EK.

Abet Reyes and navigator Albert Pegad earned the Class 4 win with a time of 36:48, driving a Civic EK rally car.

The RWD