Under the scorching sun and relentless pace of the 2025 Petron Makabayan Endurance Race, legends were tested, rookies were molded, and a bold new chapter began for Mazda Philippines. The Kalayaan Cup, the race’s second leg, was more than just a grueling twelve-hour endurance challenge — it became the proving ground for both elite skill and future racing talent.
Leading the charge was the formidable #55 MSCC Mazda Miata, captained by racing powerhouse Angie Mead King. With her signature focus and strategic finesse, Angie and her team not only clinched first place in both the six- and twelve-hour endurance races — they did it in dominating fashion. Clocking an impressive 293 laps around the 4.2-kilometer Clark International Speedway, their best time was a blistering 2:07.255, finishing a staggering five laps ahead of the nearest rival.
That kind of performance doesn’t happen by accident.
The #55 car was a technical marvel: an ultra-light carbon fiber body, Brembo front brakes, Cusco suspension components, a six-speed HGT sequential gearbox, and race-ready tires. Minor changes between race legs — like a switch to a faster refueling system (cutting down pit stop times from 29 to 19 seconds) and stickier, yet efficient tires — delivered major results.
Equally important was a refined team strategy. Learning from the previous leg in June, Angie opted to expand the driver lineup from four to five, bringing in Juha Turalba, Matt Solomon, Milo Rivera, and Tyson Sy. The plan? Attack early, conserve in the middle, then push hard at the end.
But even the best-laid strategies must adapt to adversity. During one of her stints, Angie was struck with a sudden episode of vertigo. Forced to pull out and swap drivers mid-race, the strength of the team’s preparation and cohesion became evident — a flawless recovery kept them firmly in the lead.
While Angie and the #55 team were dominating the leaderboard, another story was unfolding — one centered on the future of Philippine motorsports.
Windy Imperial, long-time motorsports mentor and racer, debuted Bermaz Team 09 under the newly launched MSCC Mazda Driver Development Program — a bold initiative aimed at nurturing young, high-potential talent through the rigorous discipline of endurance racing.
“We wanted to prove that with the right training, mindset, and equipment, emerging drivers could rise to the occasion,” said Windy, beaming with pride.
Team 09’s racecar — the first modified MSCC Miata Spec to join the endurance circuit — was no ordinary machine. Originally built for 30-minute sprints, it was carefully re-engineered for the Kalayaan Cup. Modifications included Winmax brake pads, upgraded brake cooling ducts, a Cusco suspension setup, Concept One wheels, and sticky GT Radial SX-R tires — all while staying true to the core DNA of the road-going Mazda MX-5.
Behind the wheel, Windy’s handpicked protégés delivered a spectacular debut. Javier Toledo, reigning MSCC Sportsman champ; Jeff Balao, an 18-year-old phenom with just a year of racing under his belt; and Lawrence “Enzo” Celestino, a podium regular since Season 1 of the MSCC series, each rose to the challenge with maturity and precision.
Despite being endurance rookies, Bermaz Team 09 finished as second runner-up in the twelve-hour race, logging 279 laps with a best lap time of 2:15.141 — only 14 laps shy of the dominant #55 car.
“They all drove absolutely flawlessly,” said Windy. “No errors, no emergencies. That’s the kind of composure we need to build champions.”
For both Angie and Windy, endurance racing is more than just a test of speed — it’s a crucible for teamwork, resilience, and growth. Angie sums it up best: “There’s always something to improve — whether it’s your own driving, how the car is set up, or how well the team works together. It’s a continuous journey.”
Windy echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that beyond raw pace, it’s maturity and consistency that matter most: “Anyone can go fast. But not everyone can finish strong.”
In the world of motorsports, victory takes more than just horsepower and sharp reflexes. It takes a team, a strategy, and a vision for the future. And with Mazda Philippines leading the way — both on the track and through its Driver Development Program — that future looks fast, bright, and fiercely competitive.