Despite the gloomy weather, the Clark International Speedway (CIS) was sizzling with action as the SEAOIL Radical Challenge Philippines powered by BPI staged its 2024 season finale. And in the end, it was the rookie drivers who shone with Mikey Jordan securing the SR3 Challenge Cup title and Rainy Medina taking the crown in the SR1 Challenge Cup.
Fueled by race-engineered SEAOIL Extreme-97 fuel, Jordan in the SEAOIL-liveried SR3 once again set the early pace in Qualifying, clocking a 1:57.096 lap to secure pole. But his closest-rival Andre Rodrigues wasn’t going to let him walk away with the championship that easily with the Portuguese driver lining up in P2. Rainy Medina picked up right where he left off and qualified P3 on the grid and ahead of all the SR1 runners.
The entire 7-car grid roared off the starting line on Saturday afternoon with Jordan leading the way in Race 4. He would enjoy a dominant lights-to-flag victory to move himself into the SR3 Challenge Cup’s point lead, which was previously held by Rodrigues. Surprisingly, it was karter and series newcomer Rafa Caceres who gave chase to Jordan and finish 2nd on his SEAOIL Radical Challenge Philippines debut with Rodrigues not too far behind in 3rd.
As for the SR1 Challenge Cup, Medina already had one hand on the championship trophy after securing his 3rd win of the season. Matthew Edmunds was a lap down in 2nd.
With the title fight heating up on Sunday, Medina and Rodrigues were side-by-side going up to Turn 1 at the start of Race 5. It then soon became a 4-way-battle with rookie driver Michael Apacible and Jordan joining in the fray. Unfortunately, Apacible’s brilliant run was abruptly cut short when he spun out on lap 5 and had to retire.
Interestingly, a Radical SR1 would cross the finish line in 1st with Medina securing another class win. And since there’s no extra points awarded for an overall victory, Jordan decided to stay behind Medina to finish 1st in the SR3 Challenge Cup. Caceres continued to impress with another 2nd place finish with Rodrigues settling for 3rd after a spin early in the race.
The 2 class leaders battled for the lead in Race 6 with Medina leading the way on the opening lap. But on lap 2, Jordan finally made his move to get ahead on the road. With the championship already within reach, the pair simply cruised to the finish with both drivers claiming their respective class wins and titles.
Caceres rounded up his debut weekend with another 2nd place finish in SR3, while Rodrigues sadly concluded the season with a DNF. Apacible ended the day with a solid 2nd in SR1 with Edmunds in 3rd.
Aside from the Drivers’ Championship, Mikey Jordan also successfully brought SEAOIL x Jordan Racing to the top spot in the Teams’ Championship in the SR3 Challenge Cup. Rainy Medina also celebrated with his team Autoholic Garage as the SR1 team champions in 2024.
“The SEAOIL Radical Challenge Philippines 2024, which was SEAOIL’s third season in partnership with Radical has been nothing short of extraordinary. There was an unprecedented number of racers in the grid this season, which brought in lots of new faces to the series who electrified everybody with nail-biting racing action. Furthermore the influx of new co-sponsors such as BPI is a testament to Philippine motorsports being alive and well. We’re thrilled to have been a part of this exhilarating journey and look forward to an exciting future,” shared Edward Cruz, SEAOIL Philippines Inc. Head of B2C Segment Marketing.
“The season may be over, but the good news is the SEAOIL Extreme 97 fuel that powers the mighty Radical race cars on track is the same fuel that Filipino motorists can load up for their daily grind in over 800 SEAOIL stations nationwide. SEAOIL extreme fuels are engineered to enhance power, improve fuel efficiency, and protect your engine. Yan ang Alagang SEAOIL.”