2023 PHRX Philippine Rally flags off at New Clark City on May 27

MANILA: The 2023 Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) will kick off this weekend at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The group's second rally, the 2018 Philippine Rally in Pampanga, took place five years prior. This time, the racing action will take place in Tarlac, with 12 special stages on the Capas dirt roads.

Since its inaugural season in 2015, the PHRX has established a reputation for managing its dirt trial series, which has been running for eight racing seasons. Reviving rally racing in the nation is the PHRX's principal goal. Up until the early 2000s, rally was the most popular motorsport discipline in the Philippines.

“We want nothing but to keep the sport alive. PHRX’s passion is rooted from the love of rallying. It also comes from a promise I made with the late Jun Espino to continue reviving the sport,” said PHRX Race Director Olson Camacho.

One of the pioneers of Philippine racing, Jun Espino is currently the motorsports manager of the Automobile Association of the Philippines. He first gained fame as one of the best rally navigators.

“Malayo pa pero malayu-layo na din (A lot still has to be made, but what is important is that we have made progress). Right now, what we consider as PHRX’s little wins are the rally drivers we inspired to join into the sport,” Camacho furthered.

PHRX has been committed to this goal and believes that its dirt trial series will serve as a forming ground to develop top notch rally drivers. With this, experienced dirt drivers’ next level is the Philippine Rally.

In December 2018, four seasons after the start of the Philippine Rallycross Series, the PHRX hosted the first-ever Philippine Rally at Floridablanca, Pampanga.

The first round of the PHRX will start on May 27 and 28, 2023, in the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The action will take place on the dirt roads of Capas in the province of Tarlac over the course of 12 special stages. The rally will travel a total distance of more than 60 kilometers across a variety of gravel, dirt, and mud surfaces.

The 2023 Philippine Rally has been made possible by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac municipality, Cleanfuel, Ravenol, Autoplus Sports, Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Accelera Tires, Method Race Wheels, Tyron, AC Delco, and Aguila Auto Glass.

Photos from Philippines Rallycross Series, Isuzu Philippines Corp. 

Also read: Award-winning Isuzu D-Max dominates 2022 Philippine Rallycross Series