The Tarlac Rally, championing the return of rally racing in the Philippines, kicked off its highly anticipated season opener on June 24 to 25, 2023, at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The event took place at the iconic venue of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, which served as the parc fermé and service park for the rally.
The first round of the Tarlac Rally featured 11 thrilling special stages (SS), all accessible through the O’Donnell Road, the main thoroughfare for the transport stages of the rally. Twelve entrants braved the challenging yet exhilarating rally event, with only six teams crossing the finish arch, signifying the completion of over 100 km of rally racing.
Paul Santos, competing in the Group 2 classification, along with navigator Ansley Sarmiento, emerged as the overall champion of the first round of the 2023 Tarlac Rally. Santos, the reigning 2022 Philippine Rallycross Group 3 champion and 2022 AAP Driver of the Year for Rallycross, piloted his no.1 Honda Civic EK to victory, finishing with an impressive overall time of 45 minutes and 14 seconds.
In the Rear-wheel-drive (RWD) class, veteran rally driver Jun Magno secured second place overall. Magno, accompanied by co-driver Kalvin Sumagui, drove his 3S-GE Beams-powered BMW E36 to a total rally time of 45 minutes and 30 seconds.
Devor Andres, an experienced off-roader and dirt bike rider, together with co-driver Rommel Ocoy, clinched the third-overall position. Despite driving the oldest car in the rally, a 1980s Toyota Corolla KE70, the duo impressed with a total rally time of 50 minutes and 22 seconds, earning them the Group 4 victory.
E.Z. Ligaya and Stephen Alunan, organizers of the Touge Battle race, finished fourth overall in the rally. Piloting the Debest Autofix BMW 316i E36, the Full Throttle Weekend duo completed the race with a total time of 53 minutes and 14 seconds, securing the second place in the RWD class.
Group 1 was dominated by Marvin Susara and navigator Charlie Cruz, who piloted their 2NZ-powered Corolla E100 to a fifth-overall finish. The veteran racers put on a dramatic performance in the final SS, narrowly crossing the finish line. They recorded a total rally time of 55 minutes and 31 seconds.
Meanwhile, Mark Desales, CEO of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), together with co-driver Ricxie dela Cruz, overcame mid-rally challenges to complete the race, achieving a total time of 59 minutes and 59 seconds, earning them second place in Group 1 and a sixth-overall finish.
The success of the 2023 Tarlac Rally was made possible through the generous support of various organizations. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), New Clark City, Tarlac province, Capas LGU, and San Jose LGU all played instrumental roles in ensuring a smooth and memorable event.
Sponsors such as Cleanfuel, Ravenol, Autoplus Sport, Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Accelera Tires, Aguila Auto Glass, AC Delco, JS Mina Sound System, Print & Mount, Method Race Wheels, and Tyron Runflat contributed significantly to the rally’s success.
The season opener of the 2023 Tarlac Rally proved to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the skill and determination of the participating teams. As rally enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the next rounds, the Tarlac Rally solidifies its position as a premier motorsport event in the Philippines.