INQUIRER Sports

CEBUANO MANGER Calderon posted impressive finishes for TRS-Ford in the second leg of the the Philippine Production Car Championship recently at the Subic International Raceway.

Calderon, a former jetski champ and top motocross rider, bagged the runner-up honors in both Race 4 and 5 up against more experienced rivals with the support of Ford Racing, Goodyear Racing, Standard Insurance, OMP, Discovery Suite, Yellow Cab, Aguila Auto Glass, BusinessWorld, C! Magazine, Fremuff, Dupont, Starbright Bodykits, Ultra Racing. Toptul, Orange Electronics, Rota Wheels, K&N, Unichip and Philippine Auto Club.

It was a huge improvement for Calderon who climbed to second overall in the Philippine Production Car championship. Calderon staged a big rally in Race 4 to end up second behind Doby Atilano, clocking a fastest laptime of 1:38.3 in the 12-lap race.

That boosted his confidence as he turned more aggressive in Race 5. Borja tried to maneuver a quick dive on Calderon, but spun out at the bus stop and allowed Calderon to finish smoothly behind Race 5 winner Doby Atilano.

Teammate Veli-Mati Kaikkonen, the 2001 AIM Concept Car Race Series champion held in Bira, Thailand, was running second in Race 5 but spun out while chasing Atilano.

?We?re proud of Calderon?s big improvement powered by the championship racing heritage of the Ford Focus,? said TRS president JP Tuason.