VINTAGE sports cars will hit the roads of Cebu and Bohol for the fifth edition of the Tour de Cebu on Nov. 16 to 18.
Around 38 vintage sports cars will cover a total of 1,000 kilometers on historic sports car rally organized by the Performance and Classic Enthusiasts (Pace).
Pace president Jay Aldeguer said on the event’s launching at the Montebello Villa Hotel on Tuesday, Nov. 13, that the field will have 15 drivers from Cebu while the rest are from Manila and Spain.
“We started this event for our passion on vintage cars. It is also part of tourism and a way for people to discover the island,” said Pace founding member Kenneth Cobonpue.
Technical director Pepon Marave said that this year’s rally will be more challenging with new roads included in the route.
“My job is to find new roads to make the event more exciting. I’ve found about 40 kilometers of new roads. This year is going to be more difficult,” he said.
Marave added that the stamina and reliability of both the drivers and vintage cars will be tested.
“We will provide them rally notes as their guide. Also the technology will be important. I think that is why we have a back-to-back champion because he was able to use technology to his advantage,” said Marave. “We hope to see another champion this year.”
The event’s defending back-to-back champion is Marty Aguilar. He won it driving his 1967 Toyota Sport 800 in 2016. He returned last year to win it, driving his Porsche 365A.
The majority part of the rally will be held in Bohol.
“It’s bittersweet this year since it will be our last year in Bohol. For next year, we will be moving on to a new route,” said Aldeguer.
At stake in the event are the titles in Bobby Aboitiz Excellence Class for cars up to 1966, Pace Chairman’s Class for 1967-1972, Sportsman Class for cars up to 1976, Club man class for none vintage cars, and the coveted Tour de Cebu Grand title.
“We are looking to bring this event not only in the Philippines but also in the whole region,” said Cobonpue.
The teams will use their navigation skills to reach checkpoints at a predefined time. (RSC)