The Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) and the Philippine National Rally Championship (PNRC) celebrated their 2024 champions last March 14 in Quezon City where the event recognized drivers across various categories in the nation’s premier rally competitions, sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP).
Caloy Calica, Louie Camacho, Paul Santos, Mike Reyes, EZ Ligaya, and Gabbie Desales were among the champions honored. The 2024 PHRX featured seven rounds across Pasig, Pasay, and Cavite, with courses testing drivers on both tarmac and dirt. The PNRC, consisting of three rounds in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, challenged competitors with grueling gravel and dirt stages.
The 2025 season promises expansion, with the PHRX maintaining seven rounds and the PNRC growing to four. Notably, the PNRC will include a first-ever inter-island rally in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, alongside rounds in Nueva Ecija and Cavite.
Organizers Olson Camacho and Ronnie Trinidad aim to broaden rally racing’s reach, attracting new participants through driver training programs focusing on rally driving fundamentals. These initiatives, supported by the AAP, emphasize safety and structured learning. “Rally driving, unlike circuit racing, involves navigating diverse terrains like gravel, mud, and tarmac, making it a true test of skill. I believe it’s safe to say talent development is unmatched in this discipline,” Camacho stated. The PHRX and PNRC, now in their 10th year, seek to revive the sport’s golden era from the 1970s and 1980s.