Hot favorite Jonathan Tiu of JCT Racing came back from a couple of no-shows to keep his Quick 8 title and Ryan Quimpo seized the M&H Pro crown at the end of the 2017 National Drag Racing Championships Southern Series held recently at Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario town.
Tiu bested Allan Ararao, 10.450 seconds to 10.680, in the final race of the four-leg series and tallied a total of 41 points for the Quick 8 overall plum despite missing two legs due to engine problems.
Ararao settled for second place with 31 points, followed by Quimpo with 18.
In the M&H Pro finals, Quimpo raced true to form and prevailed against Jonathan Young of JCT Racing with a time of 12.199 seconds.
Romualdo Vasquez and Jonathan Young placed second and third, respectively, behind Quimpo (30) despite tallying 22 points each.
On the way to the finals of the concluding leg, Tiu beat Vasquez and Dural while Quimpo turned back Alvin Abrigo and Ararao.
Carlo Latayan pooled 20 points and ruled the Expert Class.
Other Southern Series overall champions: Sportsman Class, Stephen Jay Esguerra; Hotstreet, Phoebo Anse Perez; last leg winners: Sportsman, TJ Lazaga; and Hotstreet, Maico Berame. —STEVE SILVA, CONTRIBUTOR