Quimpo stuns Tiu, rules opening leg

Unheralded Ryan Quimpo topped the kickoff leg of the 2017 National Drag Racing Southern Series at Batangas Racing Circuit, stunning defending champion Jonathan Tiu in Rosario, Batangas.

After besting Romualdo Vasquez and Jefferson Jimenez, Quimpo clocked 12.408 seconds in the title race against Tiu’s 15.399 as he halted the latter’s unbeaten run in the Quick 8 class.

Tiu, who swept all eight legs of the Northern and Southern Series last season, was hounded by mechanical problems.

Meanwhile, Stephen Esguerra won in the Sportsman class while Bong Montero emerged  Hotstreet champion. —STEVE SILVA, RACING CONTRIBUTOR