In the heat of the moment. De la Merced en route to victory.

JAN DE LA MERCED, driving a Subaru WRX STI, gave his rivals a farewell party that they won’t soon forget when he set the fastest time of the day during the third and final round of the 2007 Hill Climb Series, supported by Petron Xtra Unleaded—go for the extra miles, Stoplight TV, Manila Speedzone, Citgo Philippines, Zoobic Safari, Michelin Tires and Speedlab, which was held on the road leading up to the Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on May 19.

De la Merced showed remarkable skill, confidence and determination during his assault on the 4-km course, wherein he posted a time of two minutes and 46.66 seconds, putting him beyond the reach of everyone else in the field of 36 drivers.  “I just focused on my driving and tried to be as smooth as possible. I was surprised when I saw my times,” said de la Merced, whose effort earned him top class honors in Group 3.  Carlo Garcia in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, meanwhile, submitted a 2:48.22, which earned him a first runner-up finish in the group.  Despite a problem with his engine management system, Carlos Anton, driving a Honda CRX, registered a 2:52.49 to finish in third place.

In Group 2, it was Anton’s teammate Vin Santos in a Honda CRX, who took victory with a time of 2:52.74.  Second place went to Rikki Dy-Liacco and his Toyota Starlet Turbo with a 2:57.94, while Petron’s Steve Acayan came in third with a 2:59.86.

Group 1 action saw Lance Binamira and his Toyota Corolla AE92 clinch his first win in the series with a 3:01.28.  Second place went to Audel Sison in a Honda Civic with a 3:03.44, while third place was claimed by Lito Ignacio and his Mazda Miata MX-5 with a 3:07.29.

Do as you say. Jan de la Merced points to the special message on the back of his Subaru WRX STI after setting the best time of the day during the third round of the 2007 Hill Climb Series held in Bataan.

Although the day belonged to de la Merced, the overall title was annexed by Anton, who amassed 52 points.  Santos, meanwhile, came away with 40 points to take second overall, much to the delight of car owner Mark Young, who beamed with pride at the achievement of his two drivers.  De la Merced finished the season in third place with 28 points, followed by Carlo Garcia in fourth with 33; Boyet Policarpio and RG Gatlabayan, tied at fifth with 16; Lance Binamira and Rikki Dy-Liacco, tied at seventh with 12; Dindo de Jesus in ninth with 4; Lito Ignacio and Bing Tuisieng, tied at 10th with 3; and Ivan Isada in 11th with 1 point.

THOSE who have been following the motoring section of this publication will probably wonder why this issue’s front page does not have cars on it.  That being the case, the writer would like to beg everyone’s indulgence as he has a rather important story to tell. 

HOW fast can you go? How small can you be? Are you “the one”?

THE criminals-on-wheels are getting bolder and meaner!

Incidents of holdup and killings perpetrated by those criminals riding on bikes and other vehicles are rising, and we are wondering what the authorities are doing about it.

JAN DE LA MERCED, driving a Subaru WRX STI, gave his rivals a farewell party that they won’t soon forget when he set the fastest time of the day during the third and final round of the 2007 Hill Climb Series, supported by Petron Xtra Unleaded—go for the extra miles, Stoplight TV, Manila Speedzone, Citgo Philippines, Zoobic Safari, Michelin Tires and Speedlab, which was held on the road leading up to the Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on May 19.