The Petron Makabayan Cup Endurance Challenge is the only up-and-running endurance series organized in the Philippines. The 12-Hour Kalayaan Cup was recently held at Clark International Speedway last June 10-11, 2023. Out of the 19 teams on the grid, a new team surfaced to compete and make their mark, Team MOTUL/ESC.
The three-letter initials of ESC (East Side Collective) has been making waves in the local car scene for in recent years. Organizing well attended car meets, events called “Car Parties”. They turn their attention this time to Philippine motorsports. Their 1st endeavor, joining the Kalayaan Cup in 2023. With the formation of Team MOTUL/ESC, the ground work of was laid down to mount their bid for a crown in the Kalayaan Cup this year. Fielding an 8th generation Honda Civic sedan, entered in the Class 2 category, a 100-150 horsepower class.
Spearheaded by Allen Escoto as the team manager/driver, with the support of fellow drivers: Angelo Magtoto (currently the fastest circuit Supra driver in the country), Jeff Pobadora (Philippine Grand Touring Championship Driver), James Ong, Michael Mangio, Arco Cortes, and Jay Landicho.
The Kalayaan Cup has two championships on the same day, one for the 6-Hours and another for the 12-Hours. In completely challenging conditions, Kalayaan Cup was run under wet race conditions throughout the race day. Even with the challenging race conditions, Team MOTUL/ESC was able to capture the 6-Hours Championship in Class 2 with a 9 lap lead from the next class competitor.
While gunning for the 12-hour championship, the team encountered technical difficulties at the 7th hour of racing, which led to their lead being cut down to just 1 lap. On the 10th hour, they had a mishap with their fueling stop which got them out-lapped by the succeeding team, which dropped them 10 laps. When the checkered flag fell, with their willingness to succeed, the team still managed to clinch a second class podium finish for the day. The 1st Runner Up position for the Class 2 12-Hours Championship was in the bag.
Team MOTUL/ESC is powered by MOTUL, Yokohama Philippines, Redline Autoworks, PC Options, Fujifast Parts, Simple Racing Solutions Ph, Carbon101, Powerhouse Race Specialists, Decal Republic, JAF Autoworks Bulacan, XCLSV Car Parts and Accessories, Gertooning, Japan Access, Defy Customs, Wheelfixit Mags Restoration, Kustom Konstrukt, Motolite Express Hatid, Notorious Motorsports, CJ Car Care, 2SoG, DNIS, Pinky Parts PH.