Lively Hinata Okada is First IRGP Japanese Champion

Top backbone racers clashed in the Motul MotoIR Grand Prix of the IRGPXVI presented by Alpinestars and SHARP Honda SCK Philippines had a strong showing with their riders getting the pole position and victory.

Things looked great for the team when Alfonsi Daquigan submitted the fastest qualifying time on December 16 while teammate Hinata Okada was P3 on the starting grid. It was an intense battle as the red lights went off and unfortunately, Daquigan was out of the race after Lap 2, leaving the contention to Okada who had a good race against Chang. The two exchanged in taking P1 and had a close fight until the race was red flagged after Lap 13 as two riders crashed. Implementing the rules in the event of the red flag, Okada was declared as the winner of the Motul MotoIR GP category with Kerwin Chang placing second and third placer was Jakob Sablaya of Honda Project M KOBY.

Hinata Okada

Kerwin Chang

Jakob Sablaya

Alfonsi Daquigan

Chang was indeed fast in the race as he was the rider to register the best lap time. Honda Philippines got the MDAP Manufacturer’s Award because of Okada’s win while Best Mechanic was given to SHARP Honda SCK Philippines’ Mikki Torres. The team also went up the podium to receive the Best Team award. Aside from his notable racing skills, Okada is also animated off the track and Filipino riders indeed had fun with him competing in the IRGPXVI.

L-R: Mr. Peter Yung of Motul distributor Infiniteserv International, Mr. Lester Tiu of Alpinestars Philippines Motul MotoIR GP class winners Ruben Kerwin Chang, Hinata Okada and Jakob Sablaya, Mr. Adrian Baltazar of Motul Philippines and Mr. Al Camba of InsideRACING

The Motul MotoIR Grand Prix featured two classes – the GP for intermediate and expert riders and the Trophy class for beginner and novice racers. S-Oil SeVhenworkz Racing had a superb showing as well with its riders securing first and second place in the Motul MotoIR Trophy class. Mytchell Joshua Ngo, who started in pocketbikes years ago and transitioned to underbone, MiniGP and backbone racing, clinched the Motul MotoIR Trophy class champion title to the delight of his ever supportive parents and family. Highly skilled Mytchell shows a lot of passion and effort in his racing career and a well-deserved IRGP victory is now included in his achievements.

Mytchell Joshua Ngo

 MotoIR Trophy class winners Ruben Mabalot, Mytchell Ngo and Carlsen Solis

Placing second in the Motul MotoIR Trophy class is Mytchell’s S-Oil SeVhenworkz teammate Ruben Mabalot who is also a racing coach. Third to finish inthe category is Dad’s Garage 4S1M racer Carlsen Solis. The young rider had a remarkable year racing in the Motul MotoIR Youth Cup wherein he finished second overall in the Junior class of the rider development program that uses  MiniGP race bikes. Kervie Bergania of TWPO Project Fi, Joshua Sobretodo of VMAN XTEER, Roberto Ferrer III of ZSR 808 Scarborough Boats Perena AXOR, Franz Juric dela Cruz of 4DPRO Moto Racing Team and Ian Claveria of SEC Motosupply were the other competitors in the Motul MotoIR Trophy race. Dad’s Garage 4S1M rider Roger Solis participated in the qualifying a day before but did not race.

Ruben Mabalot

Carlsen Solis

Kervie Bergania

Joshua Sobretodo

Roberto Ferrer III

Franz Juric dela Cruz

Ian Claveria

Roger Solis

150-200cc backbone race bikes were featured in the Motul MotoIR Grand Prix of the Alpinestars IRGPXVI.

Motul is a global French company which manufactures, develops and distributes lubricants and other specialized products for engines (motorcycles, cars and other vehicles) and for industry.

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