KTM BGC Custom Bike Competition 2018 Winners

Albert Narciso, Jovs Mejias, and Alex Nocom were declared winners in the recently concluded KTM BGC Custom Bike Competition 2018, which was held in time for KTM BGC’s second anniversary. Besting other contestants, Narciso won in the All Original Category, Mejias in the Freestyle Category and in the Motul Voter’s Choice, and Nocom also in the Motul Voter’s Choice. The All Original Category showcases KTM motorcycles customized with original KTM accessories while the Freestyle Category allows for modifications and upgrades and is not limited to original KTM parts and accessories. The KTM BGC Custom Bike Competition 2018 was open to all KTM owners. Photo shows (L-R) Jovs Mejias, KAMMI managing director and COO Luca Martin and KTM BGC general manager Manu Sandejas.

Motorcycle Riders Get to Experience Racing

KTM Philippines recently treated motorcycle riders of varying stripes—novice, advanced, and experienced—to KTM track day that allowed them to experience the ready-to-race DNA of the iconic Austrian bikes.

Held at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas, a whole line of KTM demo bikes were made available to participants for a test ride, including the 390 Duke, the 690 Duke, the 790 Duke, and the 1290 Super Duke GT. Participants were able to feel the full power and performance of the bikes in a safe and controlled environment.

Aside from the test rides, Joey Rivero, a former Philippine Superbike Championship Factor Racer, shared his biking know-how and riding skills, participants. Rivero conducts precision riding training classes for every type of motorcycle rider – on the track, on tour or on the street.

KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing, Inc. (KAMMI), the proud local manufacturer of KTM motorcycles in the country, is a joint-venture partnership between Adventure Cycle Philippines and KTM AG of Austria.

SABLAYA ENDS THE PILIPINAS DREAM CUP WITH FLYING COLORS

It’s the season finale of the 2018 Petron National Motorcycle Championship, and the 6^th round of the Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup (HPDC) has come. What better way to honor the occasion than to show off the HPDC riders their skills and talent at the track.

The qualifying round started early for the riders as they took off from the pit gate at 8:55 a.m., with Rider #6 Sean Barcial (P1) making the best time at 2:25.729, while Rider #1 Kervie Bergania made 2:25,995 which landed him on (P2). Rider #7 Jakob Sablaya, who lead the pack in the overall points, had a time of 2:28.052 which took him to (P3), putting him close to rider #8 Andrei Reyes and #2 Wyner Blente, who landed on (P4 and P5) respectively. Meanwhile, Rider #12 Jasper Cruz and #4 Sean Ondillo got (P6 and P7), respectively.

 Race 1, Saturday, 11:00 a.m.

As the red light went off, the seven riders sped off for a 5-lap battle. Barcial Took the opportunity to lead from P1, but Sablaya did not make it easy for Barcial, making his way in the 1^st corner. From the 2^nd up to the final lap, Sablaya, Barcial, Bergania, Reyes and Blente, sliced and diced across the 4.2 km track, while Cruz and Ondillo were left behind with a total of 24.524 sec. gap.

Sablaya took the hearts of the crowd as he rode his CBR150R in the straights and corners like they were as one, taking the lead of the pack from Barcial and Bergania for the 2^nd and 4^th lap. However, Barcial managed to take the lead from Sablaya on the so called “Acacia” at the west course. Barcial charged on the chicane; while Sablaya was still trying to take the lead on the last stretch. At the last corner, Barcial managed to stay on the lead taking Race 1 for 1^st place with a total time of 12:10.286 with a fastest time of 2:25.708. On the other hand, Sablaya got 2^nd place with a total time of 12:10.719 and with a fastest time of 2:26.553; and finally, Bergania took 3^rdplace with a total time of 12:10.807 and with a fastest time of 2:26.506.

Race 2, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.

With everyone’s strong excitement for the final leg of the season, the 5 lap race started. The first row of riders was composed of Barcial, Sablaya and Bergania competed to reach the first corner to get the lead and break away from the pack. As Barcial had the first corner, nobody gave in easily. Sablaya and Bergania were able to catch up quickly and steal the lead position while Bergania followed through, taking Barcial back to the 3^rd spot. On the 3^rd lap, Barcial has once again able to slice through the 4^th corner at the Acacia from Sablaya, but Bergania remained strong and was able to slip stream through Barcial. On the final lap, Sablaya was determined to take this race and finish strong, thus on the last straight, Sablaya has secured the lead, taking the last corner with the checkered flag raised, followed by Bergania for the 2^nd and Barcial in 3^rd.   

Jakob Sablaya:

“Masaya ako sa naging resulta ng Round 6 dahil nung race 1, magkakadikit kami nila Kervie Sean, Wyner and Andrei. Hindi ko nakuha ang Lead position sa Race 1, pero hindi ko pinakawalan ang race 2. Kahit nasa P3 ako, kinuha ko yung mga opportunity na nakita ko kung saan ako makaka lusot. Masaya ako sa resulta at performance ko sa buong season kasi nakuha ko ang championship ng 2018 Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup.”

Sean Barcial

“Nung Qualifying round hindi ko  expected ang P1, pero nagulat ako na nakuha ko ito, kaya nung Race 1, Hindi ko pinalampas ang pagkakataon na lumaban at masaya ang palitan namin sa loob ng track. Nung Race 2, naging aggressive ako sa cornering ko and chicane, naging maganda ang laban namin nina Jakob at Kervie. Happy parin ako dahil malaki parin ang nakuha kong points.

Kervie Bergania:

”Masaya ako sa naging resulta ko this weekend. Naramdaman ko talaga na nag improve ang aking skills at napakita ko yun sa Race 1 and 2, consistent na ang aking takbo sa podium finish ko. Masasabi ko lang na malaking bagay na nakasali ako sa Dream Cup. Maraming Salamat Honda.”

Overall Results.

Honda Philippines, Inc. is proud to see the improvements of all participants skills and time at the track by an average of 5.0 seconds from the previous time they have joined the program, we also saw the improvement the riders skills and handling of the CBR150R.  In conclusion, the 2018 Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup Champion is Alfred Jakob Sablaya with a total of 280 pts., Sean Barcial with 238 pts. and Andrei Samuel Reyes with 194 pts.

For more information, follow Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook – www.facebook.com/hondaph/ or visit their official website – www.hondaph.com

Sarah Duterte Walks-the-Talk by Supporting Honda’s Road Safety Advocacy

Daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Attorney Sarah Duterte Carpio, better known as Inday Sarah to Davaoeños, begins her Safety Riding training at the Honda Safety Driving Center (HSDC) in Sucat, Paranaque as part of her support to Honda’s Road Safety Advocacy.

A lawyer by profession and a certified motorcycle lover and rider as influenced by her father, Atty. Duterte is known to go around her hometown of Davao on her Honda XR200.She is also an avid rider of Big Bike models.

Despite her current skill set, Duterte still opted to enrol in HSDC to learn from its extensive courses that focus on safety.

As a politician well-versed in the country’s road and traffic conditions, Duterte wants to set an example to the Filipino people, whose lives heavily depend on various modes of land transportation. Adding to this is the fast growing number of motorcycle riders, with sales growing at 115% from the previous year.

Statistics also tell that human errors caused by inadequate skills and lack of a proper safety mindset cause 90% of road accidents, which results in delays, losses, and even fatalities. This is what HSDC wants to counter with its several courses focusing on safety practices for both two-wheels and four-wheels.

Located at km South Superhighway, 17E Service Road, Paranaque, the Honda Safety Driving Center is the largest and only training facility for both motorcycles and automobiles in the Philippines, employing safety instructors that received world-class training. Courses include informative classroom sessions that tackle safety attitudes and practices, while actual riding sessions are held at the world-class circuit that simulates actual road situations – from intersections, to roundabouts, s-courses, bumpy roads, and more.

The establishment of the facility is part of Honda’s obligation as a motorcycle manufacturer to provide road safety education and programs for all by equipping Filipinos with road discipline, proper safety mindset and superior driving skills. Ultimately, Honda’s goal is to build a community of safe riders, so everyone can safely feel the joy of mobility.

Atty. Sarah Duterte-Carpio shares Honda’s vision for road safety for every Filipino, so with her enrolment with HSDC, she advocates safety not only in words but also in practice.

For more information, follow Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook – www.facebook.com/hondaph/ or visit their official website –www.hondaph.com. To know more about safety riding and HSDC, visit www.hondaph.com/hsdc/

Honda Philippines, PBA inks new partnership to ignite action in PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season 2018-19

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the country, recently announced its partnership with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Paranaque City.

Through the partnership with PBA, the most prestigious basketball league in the Philippines, HPI aims to touch on the lives of Filipinos by engaging in activities they love.

“Basketball has been a part of the Philippine culture and the Filipinos’ love for the sport is nothing short of amazing,” said Daiki Mihara, president of HPI. “We hope that through this partnership, HPI can extend its support to Filipino talents, especially in the PBA league.”

This year, PBA will be on its 43rd season and HPI presses on to bring the sport’s vibe closer to basketball fans. This initiative is attuned to the company’s vision of bringing the joy of mobility, especially through its safe, efficient, economical, and cutting-edge technology.

Honda, being a global brand, has sold 18 million units in worldwide sales last year and continues to build out its passion for excellence through continuous research and high technological standards for its products. With this passion for excellence, Honda wants to extend its innovations to the needs and preferences of Filipinos.

“We want to expand our sizeable foothold in the Philippines as a market leader in the motorcycle industry, by innovating technologies that improve the quality of life,” Mihara said. “We also see the value of partnering with institutions, like PBA, especially that our motorcycles appeal to the young and active fans of the league.”

Known for its innovative spirit, HPI aims to introduce the company as a market leader in motorcycles, spare parts, and power products that allows riders to have fun and proactively take part in thrill-seeking adventures.

For more information about Honda Philippines and its upcoming events, go to www.hondaph.com or follow the official Facebook page atfacebook.com/hondaph/.

*This is Press Release