CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — The American V8 muscle cars dominated the scene behind the steady hand of former US servicemen William “Bill” Hand and John Ryzia who steered the Angeles City Hot Rod Association (AHRA)-Garage Power to a 1-2 finish recently in the second leg of the 2015 Philippine Drag Racing Championship Northern Series at the Clark International Speedway.
replica of the 1932 Ford Roadster, draws a crowd of spectators and
local media after clinching the Quick 8 crown.
Hand captured the Quick 8 crown while Ryzia played a crucial role behind the V8 muscle cars’ supremacy over the modern six-cylinders in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by CIMS, M&H, Sparco, Aguila Auto Glass and GT Radials.
The last time Hand and his car named “Blue Haze,” a fiberglass replica of the 1932 Ford Roadster, won was three years ago also on the second leg of the Northern Series in March, 2012. He earned his crack at the title after beating Jonathan Young of JCT-Blanche Racing in their semifinal duel.
It was also one of those bad days for JCT-Blanche Racing top gun and defending champion Jonathan Tiu of JCT-Blanche Racing who suddenly experienced engine problems at the start of the semifinal encounter against Ryzia who sealed an all-American muscle cars finals with his classic Camaro named Thunder.
The crowd, amazed by the unique designs and loud engine roars of the American muscle cars, flocked to the pit walls to see which between Blue Haze and Thunder wins the crown.