Racing news:

Honda Racing Cup 2011: 1st Leg in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental

January 31, 2011

Less was known on Circuit Racing in the Province of Negros Oriental (the biggest population of Motorcycle Users in the Philippines). Most local riding enthusiasts are fond of Underbone Motard Racing. It was so timely that Honda Philippines together with Du Ek Sam Inc and United Motoliance Network Corp. kicked off its 1st Leg for the Season 2 of the Honda Racing Cup 2011 2012 Visayas Series last January 23, 2011 in Negros Integrated Business Center, Villareal, Bayawan City to let the locals experience a totally new racing competiton.

A total of thirty eight riders joined the race. Sixteen riders came all the way from Cebu which composed of the Honda Motor World Racing Team and some privateers. While twenty two local riders came from different towns Bayawan City, Basay, Sta. Catalina, Dumaguete City, Sibulan, Bacong, and Valencia.

Mr. Sammy Ondona, VP-Operations of United Motoliance gave his opening remarks as well as Atty. Popoy Renacia, City Councilor/Chairman for Sports and Education Commission in Bayawan City gave a short message and welcomed everyone to their town.

Before heating up the race track, Keken Cabahug of Honda Motorworld Racing Team conducted a short race clinic for the neophytes in circuit and Jong Uy of 5th Gear Motorsports had the riders briefing.

The race track was formally opened by the traditional balloon releasing led by Juno Villena (Sales Manager), Rod Mercado (Service Manager), Lloyd Garces (HPI PR), Jorge Olasima (Branch Manager, Du Ek Sam), Sammy Ondona (VP-Operations of United Motoliance), and Helen Du (VP-Finance, United Motoliance).

At around 10:30 AM, the race proper finally started. Excitement and apprehensions filled the race venue as everyone was eager to witness the battle between the pro and the neophytes.

Garry Ca�eda Jr and Lyndon Requilme of Honda Motor World Racing Team became the top riders of the day as both bagged the first place in the Novice 4-Stroke and 130cc Open (Garry) and Scooter Class (Lyndon). It was not an easy victory for Garry in the 4-Stroke Category since Keken Cabahug also from Honda Motor World Racing Team took the lead for a few laps. But Garry new where to get Keken, being confident on his bike and a relaxed rider, he became victorious.

Surprisingly, the neophyte (local) riders in circuit played fairly. Shifting from Motard to Circuit Riding Style was not that easy but these locals proved everyone wrong. A few more practice and race, surely they will adopt perfectly the circuit riding style.