2019 Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup contenders chosen

Racing schedule announced

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) officially began its 2019 Motorsports season with the Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup (HPDC) Tryouts last January 26, at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

This event served as the official selection process for nine talented young riders who will participate in the official races and undergo training under the Honda Racing Clinic.

HPDC is a Motor Sports program of HPI which aims to develop young riders skills in motorcycle racing, using its one make race bike, the CBR150R. Besides local races, the HPDC also helps young riders to qualify for international race programs by immersing them in different environments to become better equipped for international competitions.

Riders aged twelve to seventeen were qualified to participate in the program, which gives them the opportunity to improve their skills through the Honda Racing Clinic, taught by Joey Rivero.

The program was officially opened by HPI’s Adviser for Motorsports, Ryosuke Arai. Gilbert Sison, Group Head for Motorsports, welcomed the judges tasked with selecting the nine riders. Coach Joey Rivero and Troy Alberto, international racer and HPI’s representative in Thai Talent Cup and Asia Talent Cup last 2018, served as the judges. They also oriented the participants on the try-out process and session inside the 4.2 km Race Track. Also present at the event was Eduardo Lumague, president– Unified Sports and Racing Association (USRA). Sessions began at 10 am with four modules held over the course of the day before a final shoot out at the end. Their performance was evaluated by Rivero, Alberto, and Sison.

The nine riders and one reserve who qualified for the HPDC program are as follows: Carl James "Chino" P. Hung; Kurt Tristan "Ostong" Villanueva; Michael Nicol D. Lee; Christopher John "Kokoy" Mangibin; Sean Andrej Ondillo; Marco Gil D. Ventenilla; Joshua Gabriel S. De Leon; Travhys Ivan Joe Paralejas; and Alfred Jakob Sablaya.

Familiar names such as reigning HPDC champion, Alfred Jakob Sablaya, and strong contender Sean Andrej Ondillo rejoined the competition, to be challenged by several new and promising talents.

With this, HPI looks forward to the upcoming HPDC Rounds with the young riders along with the accompanying Racing Clinic. The Honda Racing Clinic will happen on April 27, June 29; and Aug 31 at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC). Round 1 of the HPDC happens on May 4-5 at BRC; Round 2 on June 1-2 at BRC; Round 3 on July 6-7 at Clark International Speedway (CIS); Round 4 on Aug. 3-4 at CIS; Round 5 on Sept. 7-8 at BRC; and Round 6 on Oct 5-6 at CIS.

The HPDC will be held on the same dates as the National Motorcycle Circuit Racing Championship and is sanctioned by Unified Sports and Racing Association (USRA).