Patrick dela Rosa saved his best for last and ruled the GT Final race to pad his overall lead after four legs of the 2017 Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring Car Championships at Batangas Racing Circuit.
Slapped with a 30-second penalty for a jumpstart violation, Dela Rosa settled for second spot in the Pre-Finals, 22.28 seconds off Sydney Sarmiento but ahead of defending champion Edwin Rodriguez.
Rodriguez and then Sarmiento paced the pack in the 17-lap Finals before Dela Rosa took the lead to stay in the fifth lap. He won by 41.868 seconds over Rodriguez for his second consecutive victory, and third overall, in the GT200 class.
Paolo Santos placed third and took the GT100 title.
Fil Gulfin topped the Classic Aspirated Cup and the Toyota 2000 race. STEVE SILVA, MOTORSPORTS CONTRIBUTOR