| Category | Auto Racing Series |
|---|---|
| Country or region | Philippines |
| Inaugural season | 2010 |
| Official website | circuitshowdown.com |
Circuit Showdown is a Philippine auto racing series that began with its first racing season in 2010. It is currently the only circuit racing series in the country that is open to both amateur and professional drivers that features a classic Touring Car series as well as a Time Attack Competition. Each driver and his vehicle is equipped by an AMB timing system to accurately measure their lap times. Drivers are ranked by their qualifying times and bracketed to compete; accumulating points to vie for the championship in each of the six brackets at the end of the season. The series is open individuals and teams from various racing backgrounds welcoming cars from daily driven stock cars to full race cars. Each event is hosted at different race venues in the country. Open to the most amateur of drivers, the organizers provide driving aids from the country's leading race professionals during the event. In addition, the Philippine National Red Cross provides medical assistance to every event.
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In 2011, minor changes in regulations were made including the restrictions in tire tread ware rating. The complete list of the regulations can be found on their website for both Grid Races [1] and Time Trials.[2]
Typically, the event is scheduled on the first Saturday of each Month. Each leg is a whole day event that varies from track to track. The track opens early providing participants with an open practice and enough time to test the track and tune their cars. The event formally begins with a compulsory drivers' briefing then the Qualifying sessions for both Grid and Time Trials (TT) commence and ends at mid-day. Time sheets and bracketing are posted immediately over lunch so everyone can see their qualifying times that they did in the morning. This is followed by the grid races; Race 1 starts for Grid A & B followed by Grid R; once the track is cleared, Official Time Trials Begin for all six brackets. After the last of the TT cars have run, Race 2 follows, often with a reverse grid position. There are cases when the schedules are shortened or revised. These changes are announced on their website and Facebook Page typically weeks before the event.
| Typical Day Schedule | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 - 9:30 | Registration & Open Practice |
| 9:30 - 9:45 | Driver's Briefing |
| 9:45 - 12:15 | Qualifying Time Trials & Grid |
| 12:15 - 1:00 | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 - 1:30 | Grid A & B - Race 1 |
| 1:30 - 2:00 | Grid R - Race 1 |
| 2:00 - 4:00 | Official Time Trials |
| 4:00 - 4:30 | Grid A & B - Race 2 |
| 4:30 - 5:00 | Grid R - Race 2 |
| 5:15 - 6:00 | Awarding |
Each participant is grouped into their respective brackets based on their performance on the Qualifying Session. Once participants qualify in a bracket, they can no longer go to a lower bracket and compete in that bracket. They can however "break-out" or move to the next higher bracket. Races continue even during rains; in these conditions, bracket times are adjusted and are discussed during the briefing. Below is a sample bracketing for the 6th Leg held at Batangas Racing Circuit with a reverse layout and dry conditions
| Group | Time Bracket |
|---|---|
| Bracket A | 00.00.000-02.04.999 |
| Bracket B | 02.05.000-02.07.999 |
| Bracket C | 02.08.000-02.10.999 |
| Bracket D | 02.11.000-02.13.999 |
| Bracket E | 02.14.000-02.16.999 |
| Bracket F | 02.17.000-03.00.999 |
The series features time trials for those who want to run their cars against the clock. There are a total of six brackets where a participant can compete. The goal of each participant is to reach the closest time set on the bracket, if time is beat, a maximum of .200sec is allowed but will void the fastest time, in this case the 2nd fastest time will be used. For times of .201sec or better, the participant is moved to the next faster bracket.
Grid race are for those who want to compete "wheel to wheel" with other competitors. They are grouped into three categories. Grid R is for the race car class, Grid A are for the cars that qualify in brackets B, C & D, and Grid B are for those who qualify in brackets E & F.
Circuit Showdown uses the following flags to signal cars:
| Flag Signals | |
|---|---|
| Caution ahead, no overtaking | |
| Race or session stopped, proceed to pit lane, no overtaking | |
| Track open, timing commenced | |
| Race/session finished, proceed directly to pit lane, watch for oncoming cars that may be on their hot lap, no blocking | |
Points are awarded to the top ten drivers in each bracket as follows:
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
The series runs throughout the year alternating between the major race venues in the Philippines, often changing the layout to add variation. One of its venues is the Clark International Speedway (CIS), the newest touring car race track in the Philippines. Its completion in late 2009, and continuous expansion has made this track the most competitive to date. The Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) was created in 1996 from a 2.9 km circuit it has grown into a 3.5 km track with a 550m straight also used for drag racing events.
Last season, the series ran a few legs on the now defunct Subic International Raceway (SIR), a 2.9 kilometer circuit with 12 turns, that has been the venue for both local & international races. Located beside the Subic International Airport, it is 15 minutes away from Central Business District of Subic Bay Freeport and was completed in 1994. Early in 2011, the track has been closed to make way for a commercial development in Subic. As a send-off, the administration of the Subic Raceway organized the "Last Lap," a three-day event open to everyone.[3]
For 2011, the Season starts in March with every race on every first Saturday of each month. This season, there will only be 8 events scheduled compared to the 10 events in 2010.
| 2011 Race Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Event | Date | Track Venue |
| 1st leg | March 5, 2011 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| 2nd leg | April 2, 2011 | Clark International Speedway |
| 3rd leg | May 7, 2011 | Binalonan Airfield, Pangasinan |
| 4th leg | June 4, 2011 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| 5th leg | July 2, 2011 | Clark International Speedway |
| 6th leg | Aug 6, 2011 | Batangas Racing Circuit-Reverse |
| 7th leg | September 3, 2011 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| 8th leg | October 1, 2011 | Clark International Speedway |
Circuit Showdown is also participated by teams all over the country ranging from car clubs to manufacturers. Each team accumulate points through each driver's points. The team with the most points are declared Team Champion at the end of the season.[4]
| 2011 Season Standings | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7 | Round 8 | Total |
| MitsulancerPH | 63 | 23 | 0 | 53 | 42 | 65 | 18 | 40 | 304 |
| Flat Out | 29 | 8 | 10 | 45 | 31 | 17 | 53 | 23 | 228 |
| Club 420 | 43 | 34 | 0 | 22 | 14 | 21 | 53 | 34 | 243 |
| Ecnivorp | 8 | 15 | 11 | 26 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 85 |
| DKC Tire Center | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 67 |
| Track Hos | 12 | 8 | 0 | 25 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 59 |
| TACP | 20 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 |
| Rota | 23 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 17 | 76 |
| Grupo Toyota | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 35 |
| Vehicles Running the Series | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda | Mazda | Mitsubishi | Mercedes | Nissan | Porsche | Subaru | Toyota | ||
| Civic EK/EG/Si, S2000, CRX, TypeR, Integra | Mazda2 (Demio) | Lancer EX, GSR Coupe, Evolution, Galant | SLK | Sentra, S15, GT-R | GT3 | Impreza, WRX STI | Corolla, Vios, Trueno | ||
The series is organized by Enzo Pastor and Dalia Pastor. The series is supported by Rota Wheels, Duro Tires, DKC Tire Center, Richmond Auto parts, Discovery Suites, Mishimoto, Blox, Recaro, Pitworkz by Hongly, Speedlab, Dynapack, Foil a Car, XYZ Suspension, Z Works Carbon, Runstop Rotors, ECW Performance, Dynamics Suspension, C! Magazine, Turbo Time, Stoplight TV and 99.5 RT & HKS Super Oil.
With the last of the race concluded on October 1, 2011 at a typhoon soaked Clark International Speedway, the season champions are declared and an awarding ceremony set for October 22, 2011 at Garage88 in Taguig, Global City.[5] [6].
| 2011 Championship | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Grid R | Raffy La'O (Club 420) | Marc Thomann | Eggy Ong |
| Grid A | Philip Alvenida (Rota) | Ferdinand Sia | Paolo Mantolino (Club 420) |
| Grid B | John Pacres (Flat Out) | Marcus Timbol (DKC Tire Center) | Alan Arguelles |
| Bracket A | Marc Thomann | Carlos Anton (Mark Young Racing) | Joby Tanseco (Track Hos) |
| Bracket B | Hernel Castillo | Jeffrey Roxas-Chua | Edward dela Rosa (Flat Out) |
| Bracket C | Rico Cheng | Palle Hansen | Ramon de Oteyza |
| Bracket D | Gernand Andino | Christian Sedano (MitsuLancer.ph) | Alan Arguelles |
| Bracket E | Mark Arce (MitsuLancer.ph) | Ulysses Paredes (MitsuLancer.ph) | Christian Sedano (MitsuLancer.ph) |
| Bracket F | Jules Arambulo | Polo Bautista (DKC Tire Center) | Ivan Antonio (MitsuLancer.ph) |
Circuit Showdown's first season ended with a 10th leg at Clark International Speedway.[7]
| 2010 Championship | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Grid | Marc Thomann (PhilGerma) | Arnel Carlos (DKC Tire Center) | Dax Santiano (TS-Tuning) |
| Bracket A/Open Class | Marc Thomann (PhilGerma) | Mikko Briones (Cabspeed) | TJ Pangilinan (Cabspeed) |
| Bracket B | Arnel Carlos (DKC Tire Center) | Dwight Kevin Carlos (DKC Tire Center) | Philip Alvendia (Rota Wheels, Inc.) |
| Bracket C | Patrick Bautista (F2020-DKC) | Edward "HazardBoy" dela Rosa (Detail Plus) | Dwight Kevin Carlos (DKC Tire Center) |
| Bracket D | Marcus Timbol (DKC T-Factory) | Mark Arce (MitsuLancer.ph) | Dondi Sy |
| Bracket E | Alan Arguelles | Mark Quitoriano (DKC T-Factory) | Ulysses Paredes (MitsuLancer.ph) |