Team HCLA Sport / Honda Cars Laguna using the Honda City in the 3rd Luzon round of the 2012 Philippine Autocross Championship in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, used the event as a shakedown before the 2012 RallyEKross Series. We tested the new settings on the engine and brakes since we are still running under minimal upgrades which is still considered in the stock or production classes. We also did a small experiment if the car would actually improve in this certain course having to use stock tires for the first runs and intermediate compound tires for the second run.
Waiting on the starting line for the first run using the stock Honda City tires and rims. The same set were the same tires used in winning the previous month’s Metro Hillclimb Series Group 1 class.
Only in the Philippines will you be lined up on the grid with an owner type jeep. ;)
So you’ve seen pictures of Lewis in Manila. It was nothing compared to other Formula One drivers who came here before and had big time glamorous events with the press all over them. Lewis simply came to the Philippines to help and make aware of the needs of a lot of the street children. A picture shows a thousand words but a video shows an actuality. Do help out.
The Honda City 1.3 of Honda Cars Laguna again proved its motorsport prowess. This time it was showcased in the Metro Hill Climb. Rounds 3 and 4 were held over one weekend in Mount Samat, Bataan. Round 3 was a night race going up Mount Samat, while the final round, round 4, was held at the break of dawn. The course for both rounds was 3.85 kilometers.
The Honda City 1.3 came out having won both rounds in the Group 1 (up to 115hp) class. It was a very exciting and challenging race for Group 1 honors as HCLA Sport rally driver, Ivan Isada, fought out championship awards with the Baguio City based hill climb drivers, Imay Datu (Honda Civic Lxi), and Group 1 North Hill Climb Champion, Dennis Dupo, (Mitsubishi Lancer) who both came very close to gaining the top spot. In fact, round 3 found the HCLA Sport driver, Isada, down by 5 tenths of a second from Datu in the first heat. That was until engine trouble hounded the Baguio based driver which led to the Honda City and Isada catching up time with an improved .81 seconds to win the night round. The Group 1 championship for the Metro Hill Climb only had to be concluded for the HCLA Sport Team by having Isada finish at least one run out of the two given heats in round 4. The task was accomplished but it never came easy as other group 1 racers pressed on hard. Dennis Dupo gained first blood on the earlier run up, followed by Isada, while Datu right behind. Full focus and a smooth, fast drive up Mount Samat was the only tactic decided by Ivan Isada in the Honda City 1.3 to gain 1st for the Group 1 awards. The tactic then resulted to an official time of 3’02.18 seconds, which was a full three second improvement from the night race and a .08 lead to the next Group 1 contender. It was a successful weekend for HCLA Sport with a naturally aspirated 1.3L equipped Honda City.
Heat 2 of Round 4 2012 Metro Hill Climb.
The Honda City has now made a historic mark in local motorsports with the 2012 Metro Hill Climb events together with last year’s 2011 RallyEKross (rallycross) Open Class and Group 1 awards as well. The Honda City 1.3 of Honda Cars Laguna will now continue to press on once again in the 2012 RallyEKross this coming 3rd of June, 2012.
Heat 1 of Round 4 2012 Metro Hill Climb.
Some Group 1 Rules, Guidelines and Restrictions from Hill Climb Club of the Philippines
4.3 Classes
GROUP 1 115 HP and below
4.4 Tires
4.4.1 Only STREET TIRES with treadwear above 180 are allowed for Group 1 and Group 2 cars. A Group 1 or Group 2 car fitted with tires with treadwear 180 or below will automatically be entered in Group 3.
4.5 Fuel
The use of any fuel is allowed.
4.6 Restrictions
GROUP 1
4.6.1 Swapping or exchanging of engine components from a different engine make or model is NOT allowed.
4.6.2 Only the original engine control unit (ECU) or computer box specific to the engine is allowed. Tampering of the ECU is NOT allowed.
4.6.3 The original (intake) air box must be used. RAM AIR is NOT allowed.
4.6.4 The original exhaust manifold must be used.
4.6.5 Replacing the body components with composite material or any light weight material other than the original is NOT permitted. The removal of passenger seats and carpet is permitted.
It is difficult to imagine how a Formula One superstar like Lewis Hamilton had managed to slip under the radar of his fans, motoring enthusiasts, and motoring journalists here in Manila. Not that it is a bad thing. He came here in our country, the Philippines, for a cause. UNICEF had most probably kept it a low profile while the 2008 Formula One champion was in Binondo, Manila. I would say, it was a rather good move. It is opposite of many celebrities letting fans know their whereabouts and making a buzz, maybe putting up just a show, or a good face. Although I cannot account for Lewis’ intentions, I would definitely give him the benefit of the doubt – that he is truly a good man with a big heart. Just the fact, that he is an ambassador and partnering in a project with UNICEF, having spent the time to visit our country (and not the tourist spots even), giving time to the street children, no one can deny that he is doing something inspirational and hugely helpful for our very own children in our country.
Here are pictures and links of Lewis Hamilton and his visit in Manila. If the short film they were producing with UNICEF is available for everyone in the internet to see, then I’ll post it in this blog sometime later.
Lewis for President! I mean for 2012 World Champion!
I meant… a slow clap for Lewis. Thank you!
All Photos Taken from Lewis Hamilton’s Facebook Page
In 1999, Honda Cars Philippines sold a limited number of Honda Civic SiRs with the high revving B16A engine. Dad thought of acquiring a passion orange SiR for Mom. But before giving it to her, we all knew we just had to do something with it first… run it in 2 tarmac rallies of the 1999 Petron Rally Series. That was the first and final run as a tarmac rallycar.
Together is my first attempt with the GoPro camera doing a time lapse of the last time I drove Mom’s Honda Civic SiR after 12 years. The first part of the time lapse in day light was done with a 5 second interval. The second part, the night version, was done with a 2 second interval. I edited it using Windows Live Movie Maker.
Don’t forget to watch the video!
