The Makabayan Endurance Challenge – Kalayaan Cup was a race of extremes. Drivers faced a punishing 40°C humid heat, only to be blindsided by a torrential downpour that turned Clark’s asphalt into a treacherous battlefield. For CEA Motul MRC Racing, it wasn’t raw lap times that won the day — it was strategy, discipline, and sheer resilience.
Team CEA Motul MRC Racing, competing in Class 3, averaged 2:27. Yet through consistency and flawless execution, they completed 87 laps in the 4‑Hour race, securing P2 Overall, just behind the Class 1 leaders. In the 2‑Hour race, they added 46 laps, clinching Class 3 Champion and 2nd Runner‑Up in Open B.
Drivers Speak Out
The race itself didn’t just show cars on track — it revealed the human struggle behind every lap. Leo Candava described the race as a battle against nature itself: “The heat drained us, and then the rain came like a wall. Every lap was survival. But we stuck to the plan, and that’s what put us on the podium.” His words painted the picture of a driver wrestling with exhaustion yet refusing to break focus when the storm hit.
For John Chaecel Bornilla, the race was proof that endurance is about more than raw speed. “We knew we couldn’t match Class 1 lap times, but endurance isn’t about one fast lap. It’s about staying sharp when conditions change. The crew gave us a car that could fight through anything.” His reflection captured the essence of endurance racing — adaptability, patience, and trust in the team’s preparation.
Closing out the stints, Luis Camus III spoke with the calm of someone who had lived through chaos and came out stronger: “Endurance racing is discipline. The rain tested our focus; the heat tested our bodies. Strategy carried us through — and that’s why we’re standing on the podium.” His words reminded everyone that endurance is not just a test of machines, but of human resilience.
Sponsors That Powered the Victory
Behind every lap, every pit stop, and every podium finish stood the team’s partners. CEA, the principal sponsor, was the backbone of the campaign, providing the foundation that allowed the team to compete at the highest level.
Motul wasn’t just oil coursing through the engine — it was the lifeblood of the car, the unseen force that kept CEA Motul MRC Racing in the fight. Distributed in the Philippines by Infiniteserv International, Motul’s world‑renowned performance uplifted the team when conditions turned brutal. Under the blazing 40°C humidity, where lesser machines would falter, the car ran flawlessly lap after lap, its heartbeat steady because Motul held it together. Then came the torrential downpour, a sudden storm that transformed Clark’s asphalt into a slick battlefield. In that chaos, reliability mattered more than raw speed.
Motul became the anchor of the team’s strategy, ensuring the power unit never wavered even as drivers wrestled with grip and visibility. Without Motul’s consistency, the plan that carried the team to P2 Overall would have unraveled. Instead, the drivers attacked the storm with confidence, knowing their car was protected by the same oil trusted by champions across the globe. Motul by Infiniteserv International didn’t just keep the engine alive — it gave the team the strength to endure, adapt, and ultimately triumph.
Rydanz Tires proved their worth when the track shifted from dry grip to slick chaos, giving drivers the confidence to push even when conditions turned treacherous. John Hernandez, Rydanz Tires Philippines, praised the team’s resilience and the performance of their tire choice: “What impressed us most was how CEA Motul MRC Racing trusted their Rydanz tires to carry them through both extremes — the blazing heat and the sudden torrential downpour. They didn’t change their set when the storm hit, and yet the tires delivered grip, confidence, and consistency lap after lap. That reliability is what endurance racing is all about, and we’re proud that Rydanz helped the team secure their podium finish.”
Imprint Customs ensured the team’s identity stood proud, their colors and branding cutting through the storm as a symbol of unity. And in the pits, My Sip Juice Drink kept drivers and crew refreshed, a small but vital lifeline in the grueling humidity that drained energy as quickly as the laps ticked away.
Coach Lewy Manio summed it up best: “Our sponsors aren’t just names on the car — they’re part of the family. Every lap we complete reflects their trust and support.” His words carried weight, reminding everyone that victories in endurance racing are shared victories — between drivers, crew, and the partners who make it possible.
Crew Behind the Curtain
The hardworking crew from Jphil Marine Inc were the unsung heroes of the reel. In the pits, they adapted to the sudden downpour, kept stops sharp, and ensured the car was competitive from start to finish. “This podium is proof of what happens when passion meets preparation,” said Manio. “We’ll carry this momentum into the next race.”
Faith, Family, and the Road Ahead
The team summed it up best: “This victory belongs to our family, friends, and supporters who believed in us. Thank you, Lord, for guiding us through this race.”
With strategy as their weapon and endurance as their strength, CEA Motul MRC Racing now looks ahead to the next challenge — ready to push harder, aim higher, and continue proving that endurance racing is as much about heart as horsepower.