The Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) and the Philippine National Rally Championship (PNRC) celebrated the top rally drivers of the 2024 season in an awarding ceremony held on March 14, 2025, at Oriental Palace in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. The event honored the top finishers in each category, recognizing their skill, endurance, and dedication to one of the most challenging motorsport disciplines in the country.
As the only rally events sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), the PHRX and PNRC remain the premier rally competitions in the Philippines, aiming not only to recognize top drivers but also to expand the sport by attracting new participants to the world of rally racing.
Recognizing the Best in Philippine Rallying
The 2024 PHRX and PNRC saw intense competition across multiple categories. The champions in each division were:
Group 1 Overall Champion: 1st – Caloy Calica | 2nd – Ricxie Dela Cruz | 3rd – Rolando Tecson
Group 2 Overall Champion: 1st – Louie Camacho | 2nd – Paul Santos | 3rd – Peewee Mendiola
Group 3 Overall Champion: 1st – Louie Camacho | 2nd – Paul Santos | 3rd – Ricardo Dy-Liacco
Group 4 Overall Champion: 1st – Paul Santos | 2nd – Ricardo Dy-Liacco | 3rd – Peewee Mendiola
Open Class Overall Champion: 1st – Mike Reyes | 2nd – Paolo Santos | 3rd – Ricardo Dy-Liacco
AWD Class Overall Champion: 1st – Mike Reyes | 2nd – Paolo Santos | 3rd – Ralph Ramento
UV Class Overall Champion: 1st – Louie Camacho | 2nd – DJ De Guzman | 3rd – Aven Tongo
RWD Class Overall Champion: 1st – EZ Ligaya | 2nd – Devor Andres | 3rd – Jun Magno
Pickup Class Overall Champion: 1st – Louie Camacho | 2nd – Aven Tongo | 3rd – Boboy Rabe
Novice Class Overall Champion: 1st – Ricardo Dy-Liacco | 2nd – Aven Tongo | 3rd – Ricxie Dela Cruz
Ladies Class Overall Champion: 1st – Gabbie Desales | 2nd – Pauline Bautista | 3rd – Hazel Ramirez
A Year of Thrilling Rally Action
The 2024 PHRX season took place over seven rounds, featuring races at Parklinks in Pasig City, the CCP Complex in Pasay City, and the Arden Botanical Garden in Trece Martires, Cavite. The CCP and Arden rounds were full-dirt rallycross events, while Pasig featured a combination of tarmac and dirt, creating a diverse and unpredictable competition format. Each 2-kilometer rally course tested the drivers’ adaptability and skill, with both day and night races adding to the challenge.
Meanwhile, the PNRC championship consisted of three rounds, each pushing competitors to their limits in grueling rally conditions. The “Kagitingan Rally” in Capas, Tarlac, featured 12 Special Stages over 49 kilometers of gravel and dirt tracks. The “Unang Sigaw Rally” followed with 55 kilometers of intense terrain, split into eight Special Stages. The season concluded with the “Rally Nueva Ecija 2 – Tribute to Jun Espino”, where drivers tackled 10 Special Stages covering 50 kilometers of challenging dirt and gravel roads.
The 2025 Season: A Bigger, More Ambitious Calendar
As the PHRX and PNRC continue to grow, the 2025 season is set to be even bigger, with seven rounds of the rallycross series and four rounds of the national rally championship.
For the national rally championships, two rounds will be held in Nueva Ecija, one in Cavite, and a historic first inter-island rally in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro—marking a significant expansion in the Philippine rally scene.
Meanwhile, the rallycross series will build upon last year’s success by holding seven round, ensuring more thrilling competition and testing drivers across longer and more complex rally stages.
According to race organizers Olson Camacho and Ronnie Trinidad, these expansions are aimed at bringing rally racing to more regions in the country, growing its fanbase, and providing new and seasoned drivers more opportunities to compete.
Reviving the Glory Days of Philippine Rallying
Now in its 10th year, the PHRX and PNRC continue their mission to revive rally racing in the Philippines, a sport that flourished in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Unlike circuit racing, where drivers compete on smooth, controlled tracks, rally driving takes place on gravel, mud, dirt, and tarmac, making it one of the most dynamic and unpredictable motorsports,” said Camacho. He emphasized that the combination of speed, technical driving, and teamwork between the driver and co-driver makes rally racing a true test of skill and endurance.
Enticing New Drivers and Ensuring Safety with Driver Training
To attract more participants to the sport, the PHRX organizers will be offering driver training programs focusing on rally driving fundamentals, car control, pace notes, and navigation techniques. This initiative aims to develop new talent in a safe and structured environment, ensuring that more drivers can experience the excitement of rallying with proper guidance.
The organizers also extend their gratitude to the AAP for its full support, ensuring that all rally events meet international safety and competition standards. Their continued involvement reassures both new and experienced competitors that they are racing in a well-regulated and professionally managed championship.
Recognizing Sponsors and Media Partners
The success of the PHRX and PNRC would not be possible without the support of sponsors and media partners. The organizers extend their heartfelt thanks to all sponsors who have helped sustain and grow the series.
Media partners have played a crucial role in bringing rally racing back into the spotlight. A special thank you goes to Manila Times, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Business Mirror, Business World, Auto Review, Motoring Today, Auto Focus, Turbo Zone, Ignition PH, Visor, Top Gear PH, and Carguide. Their extensive coverage has helped generate public interest in rally racing, making it more accessible and exciting for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
The Future of Philippine Rallying
With the expansion of race venues, more competitive rounds, and structured driver training programs, the PHRX and PNRC are confident that rally racing in the Philippines will continue to grow.
With AAP support, strong sponsor backing, and an engaged media presence, the Philippine rally scene is poised for a resurgence, ensuring that the next generation of drivers can experience the thrill of rally racing in a safe and competitive environment.
As the PHRX and PNRC continue their mission, rally enthusiasts and drivers alike can expect more action, more challenges, and a bigger stage for Philippine rally racing in 2025 and beyond.
