The Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) is set to host the 2023 Philippine Rally at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. Five years following the group’s first rally, the 2018 Philippine Rally in Pampanga, the racing action will take place in Tarlac, complete with 12 special stages on the dirt roads of Capas.
The next level
The PHRX has been known for organizing its dirt trial series that has been running for eight racing calendars now, since its maiden season in 2015. The main objective of the PHRX is to revive rally racing in the country. Rally was the prevailing motorsport discipline in the Philippines until it lost its glimmer in the early 2000s.
“We want nothing but to keep the sport alive. PHRX’s passion is rooted from the love of rallying. It also comes from a promise I made with the late Jun Espino to continue reviving the sport,” said PHRX Race Director Olson Camacho.
Jun Espino was one of the Philippine motorsport legends who was first known as one of the most talented rally navigators and for his most recent work as the motorsports manager at the Automobile Association Philippines.
“Malayo pa pero malayu-layo na din (A lot still has to be made, but what is important is that we have made progress). Right now, what we consider as PHRX’s little wins are the rally drivers we inspired to join into the sport,” Camacho furthered.
PHRX has been committed to this goal and believes that its dirt trial series will serve as a forming ground to develop top notch rally drivers. With this, experienced dirt drivers’ next level is the Philippine Rally.
Bigger and more exhilarating
Four seasons following the Philippine Rallycross Series, the PHRX inaugurated the first Philippine Rally held in Floridablanca, Pampanga, in December 2018.
Now, the 2023 Philippine Rally is the latest edition of the PHRX rally series. First round will be happening on May 27-28, 2023, and will be flagged off at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. Scheduled for 12 special stages, the actual action will take place on the dirt roads of Capas in the province of Tarlac. The rally will cover a total distance of over 60km, which consists of various surfaces of gravel, dirt, and mud.
Like the rallies of the old, the 2023 Philippine Rally is more than just speed. As per PHRX, the coming rally will be a test of strategy, endurance, and teamwork between drivers and their co-drivers. Strategy will come in keeping the car in good shape to endure all 60km of rally racing, and teamwork between the driver and navigator will play a huge role in each team’s end rally result.
The next round of the 2023 Philippine Rally is scheduled on July 29-30. For more information about the Philippine Rally and PHRX, visit their Facebook page – fb.com/Philippinerallycross/.
The 2023 Philippine Rally is being made possible by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac municipality, Cleanfuel, Ravenol, Autoplus Sports, Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Accelera Tires, Method Race Wheels, Tyron, AC Delco, and Aguila Auto Glass.