BACK-TO-BACK VICTORY FOR TEAM SUZUKI PILIPINAS AS SAC 2017 SEASON BEGINS

It is a back to back victory for Team Suzuki Pilipinas as the Suzuki Asian Challenge (SAC) 2017
season begins at Johor International Circuit in Malaysia. Both Race 1 and 2 saw Team Suzuki
Pilipinas riders Mario Borbon Jr. and April King Mascardo grabbing the top place making history
once more by having the Philippine national anthem played for the first time at the said racetrack
as well as achieving a grand slam win for the country at SAC Round 1.


April King Mascardo, Eane Jay Sobretodo and Mario Borbon Jr. returned at the SAC tracks to show
how much they have improved over the years. A Suzuki developmental program, SAC is a one
make race competition among nations aiming to hone young riders to be MotoGP racers. The
2017 SAC season sees 16 riders from 9 countries – Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Showing optimism from the very beginning, Team Suzuki Pilipinas already gave promising
performances by clinching the pole position at the qualifying race. Mindanao rider April King
Mascardo got the pole with the fastest lap time of 1'57.66 breaking last year’s record by less than
2s. Following him on third spot was Luzon rider Eane Jay Sobretodo. Later on Race 1, Visayas
rider Mario Borbon, Jr. managed to stay on the lead on the last laps despite the slippery and wet
track condition, hence grabbing the 1st top podium win of the season.

During Race 2, Mascardo and Sobretodo were alternately leading on the first laps of the race.
However, Sobretodo collided with the other riders during the middle part giving chance to leading
Mascardo to isolate himself and continuously led the race. Mascardo’s win gave Team Suzuki
PIlipinas their first back-to-back victory at the SAC history!

The boys made yet another history for the country not only by having the Philippine national
anthem played at the Johos Circuit for the very first time but also playing it for two consecutive
days in a single race series.

This is truly going to be an exciting season for Team Suzuki PIlipinas. All Suzuki fans are hopeful
that the team will consistently make it to the top for the rest of the season and bring the
Championship title to the Philippines. Keep track of our heroes’ journey at the SAC at Round 2 at
Chang International Circuit, Thailand on April 14 to 15, Round 3 at Suzuka International Circuit,
Japan on June 3 to 4, Round 4 at Sentul Inetrnational Circuit, Indonesia on August 12 to 13 and
the final round Chang International Circuit, Thailand on December 2 to 3.