Round 2 Report

Carlos Anton underscored his unstoppable presence in the 2007 Hill Climb Series organized by the Hill Climb Club of the Philippines and sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines, when he set the fastest time of the day and topped the premier Group 3 class on the three-kilometer uphill course located in Barangay Mabayo in Morong, Bataan last weekend.

It was the second straight triumph for Anton, who piloted a Honda CRX and clocked 1 minute 27.35 seconds (1:27.35), which was almost two seconds faster than anyone else in the 47-man field in the series sponsored by Petron Xtra Unleaded—go for the Xtra miles, Stoplight TV, Manila Speedzone and supported by Citgo Philippines; Aguila Auto Glass, Speedlab, Zoobic Safari, Winner Graphics and the Municipality of Morong under Mayor Norberto G. Linao, Jr.

Anton also took first place in Group 3 (above 2,000 cc). Anthony Halili in a Subaru WRX took second place with a time of 1:31.17, while third place went to Carlo Garcia in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV with a time of 1:31.22.

In Group 2 (up to 2,000 cc), it was Vin Santos in a Honda CRX, who took top class honors with a 1:28.92. RG Gatlabayan in a Honda Civic came in second with a 1:33.81, while Mon Dimapilis in a Mitsubishi Lancer took third with a 1:38.43.
As expected, Group 1 (1,600 cc and below) was owned by Lito Ignacio and his Mazda Miata MX-5 with a time of 1:32.45. He was followed by Ivan Isada in a Honda City (1:36.80) and Jomel Gatlabayan in a Honda Civic (1:39.27).

David Tanael in a Porsche Carrera clinched first place in Historic Cars (built in 1975 or earlier) with a 1:52.39.

The quest for the National Title now has Carlos Anton in the lead with 40; Vin Santos with 30; Jan dela Merced and Carlo Garcia with 18 a piece; Boyet Policarpio with 16; Rikki Dy-Liacco with 12; RG Gatlabayan with 10; Dindo de Jesus and Lance Binamira with 4; Lito Ignacio and Bing Tuising with 3 and Ivan Isada with with a single point.

The third and final round of the Series, which is scheduled on May 19, will be observed by hillclimb enthusiasts from Asia and representatives of the Hill Climb Commission of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, the world governing body for motorsport.

A registration and briefing for the next round will be held on Friday, May 11, 7:00 p.m. at the Manila Speedzone in the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Call 833-8386 or visit www.hillclimbclub.com for more information.