LIBONA, Bukidnon -- Michael Cerin took home his second PTTC champion's trophy in a row when he bested 49 other racers from all over the country in PTTC XVIII held in Barangay Poblacion, Libona Bukidnon last December 8 and 9, 2018.
Garnering a total combined time of 21 minutes 27 seconds 71 milliseconds for Tracks A, B, and C, Cerin of 4Wheelers Davao edged out Altams Altamera of the Cabantian Adventure Team (22:23:90) and 18 year-old Christian Doyon of Ormoc 4Wheelers (22:39:28).
Jherico Lara of Aurora Racing Team, who finished seventh, was declared 2018 Driver of the Year finishing the racing season with 744 points.
Jodax Daquil of 4Wheelers Davao finished second with JR Bartolome of the Land Cruiser Club of the Philippines closing the top three.
Davao 4Wheelers was declared 2018 Team Champion, their fourth in a row, for their consistent performance throughout the 2018 racing season.
Meanwhile, the Production Class category which had 26 competitors saw Junjun Espanola bagging the Production Class - Expert category top prize with a time of 12 minutes 25 seconds 48 milliseconds and Juan Paolo Torreda topping the Production Class - Novice category with a time of 10:08:27.
The event also saw two champion racers from Malaysia compete - 2018 Borneo Safari first runner up Yap Soon King and 3x Rainforest Challenge champion Cu Xi Chang. Although both racers failed to make it to the final round, they entertained the crowd with their precise driving talent and never-say-die attitude.
Because of their infectious passion and enthusiasm, encouraging not just their countrymen but local racers as well, Team Malaysia was awarded the PTTC XVIII Team Spirit Award.
Special awards
The Bernie Bayani Sportsmanship Award was awarded, for the first time, to Dennis Garcia of 4Wheelers Davao while 14 year-old Gian Narciso was declared Best Young Driver.
The Father and Son Award went to Joseph and Joshua Rodriguez of 4Wheelers Davaowhile the Best in Engineering honors went Junar Nolasco.
Finally, the Show and Shine award was given to CJ Doyon of Ormoc 4Wheelers.
Philippine Tough Truck Challenge is made possible with the support of the following: Maxxis Tires Philippines, Racetech 4x4 Suspensions, 199OffroadHouse, AEG Powertools, FCC Trading, TRE 4x4, ProRock Engineering, ARB, Ride, Inc., Come Up Winch. (Jack Biantan)