Circuit Showdown
Encyclopedia
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
Philippine National Red Cross
Born officially in 1947, Philippine Red Cross , a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, has roots that trace back to the revolutionary days...

 provides medical assistance to every event.

Regulations

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 and Time Trials.

Race Format

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

Bracketing

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

Time Trials

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

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.

Flag Signals

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
Hot lap
Hot lapping, or simply lapping, is a motorsport in which vehicles are driven around a race track without actually competing for a position or any other recording of performance. Multiple vehicles will be on the track typically, but no passing is allowed, nor any contact...

, no blocking

Scoring System

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

Tracks

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
Batangas Racing Circuit
Batangas Racing Circuit is a permanent circuit in Barrio Maligaya, Rosario, Batangas, Philippines. The circuit is 3.4km long and held a round of Formula Toyota, Toyota Corolla Cup, National Touring Car, Circuit Showdown, Motorcycle Road Racing in Philippines....

 (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
Subic International Raceway
Subic International Raceway is a racing circuit in the Philippines, built in 1994 on the site of a US naval base destroyed by eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Established through the efforts of famed race car driver Pocholo Ramirez, the site was bought by Sport Values Inc.The racing circuit is built...

 (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.

2011 Series

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

Teams

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.

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

Cars (Manufacturers & Models)

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

Organization

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.

2011 Season

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. .
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)

2010 Season

Circuit Showdown's first season ended with a 10th leg at Clark International Speedway.
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)

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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